Cleaning Pewter

Dishwasher?

The most important rule is don't put pewter items in a dishwasher!

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 warm water, or with a mild detergent if required, and dried with a soft cloth.

Pewter items should never be washed in a dishwasher as dishwashers usually use very hot water and harsh detergents. Pewter is a very soft metal, and putting it in hot water may damage it.

Polishing Pewter

Depending on the type of finish there are slightly different ways in which your pieces can be maintained.

Polished pewter tends to be very smooth and shiny, and only needs polished every few years. An all purpose metal polish will keep it looking bright, which can be found in most DIY hardware stores. However, if you’re feeling adventurous you can make your own using a few simple ingredients (see below).

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 or less as doing it too often will damage the surface.

Oxidized Pewter has a dark, antique finish and should only be washed with mild soapy water.

Make Your Own Pewter Polish

Ingredients

A cup of vinegar

Half a cup of flour

A teaspoon of salt

Method

Combine the ingredients and rub in gentle circular motions with a soft cloth then leave to dry. Remove the dried paste and rinse it in warm soapy water.