Cleaning Pewter

One of the characteristics of pewter which makes it a popular material is the fact that with minimum care it will keep its original finish. It should be hand washed in hot soapy water, or mild detergent and dried with a soft cloth. Pewter items should never be washed in a dishwasher. However depending on the type of finish there are slightly different ways in which your pieces can be maintained.

Polished pewter tends to be very shiny and smooth and needs only to be cleaned a couple of times a year. An all purpose metal polish will keep it looking bright, this can be found in most hardware stores but if you’re feeling adventurous you can make your own using a few simple ingredients. Combine a spoon full of vinegar, salt and flour and rub in gentle circular motions with a soft cloth. Please note that you should not use any other kind of silver or brass polish as this can ruin the finish.

Satin Pewter has a grainy finish. The cleaning process is the same as polished pewter but for polishing the surface it only needs a light buffing with some very fine steel wool (grade #0000). You should rub in the direction of the grain. This should only be done every couple of years as doing it too often will damage the surface.

Oxidized Pewter has a dark, antique finish and only needs washing with mild soapy water.

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