Pewter 
is made mostly of tin and over time, may develop a dark patina. This dark patina is expected and even desired and removing it may detract from the value of your piece. Further, the proper way to clean your pewter may depend on the type of finish your pewter has. Generally, pewter will have a polished finish, a satin finish, or an antique (oxidized) finish. Following these simple methods will help keep your pewter in fine condition.
Cleaning Polished Pewter
Polished pewter is the most common type of pewter, and has a shiny finish.
What You Will Need:
- Mild dish soap
- Warm water
- Sponge
- Soft polishing cloth
- Soft towel
- Flour
- Salt
- Vinegar
- Boiled linseed oil
- Rottenstone
- Pewter polish
The Cleaning Process:
- Wash your pewter in warm water with a few drops of dish soap, rubbing gently with the sponge.
- Rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly.
- Make a paste of 1 tsp. salt, 1 cup vinegar and a little less than 1 cup flour.
- Apply the paste to the pewter, and rub gently with a soft cloth using a circular motion.
- Leave the paste on for about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft towel.
- To restore luster, make a paste of rottenstone (decomposed limestone, which is available in most home improvement and hardware stores) and linseed oil (for the smoothest most effective paste, boil the linseed oil first and make the paste when the oil is warm, but not hot).
- Apply the paste to the pewter and rub with a soft polishing cloth, using circular motions.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft towel.
Cleaning Satin Pewter
Satin Pewter has a rougher appearance, with a grainy finish. It’s not shiny like the polished pewter.
What You Will Need:
- Mild dish soap
- Warm water
- Sponge
- Soft towel
- Very fine steel wool
The Cleaning Process:
- Wash your pewter in warm water with a few drops of dish soap, rubbing gently with the sponge.
- Rinse off suds with warm water and dry thoroughly.
- Buff the surface of the pewter VERY LIGHTLY with the steel wool. Make sure you rub in the direction of the grain and DO NOT press hard. This buffing should only be done every few years; doing it too often may damage your pewter finish.
Cleaning Oxidized Pewter
Oxidized pewter has a darker finish than satin or polished pewter. It generally has an antique look to it. Polishing is not necessary or recommended and a simple washing with warm water and a mild dish detergent should keep your oxidized pewter looking its best.
Cleaning Corroded Pewter
Over time, pewter can develop a layer of build-up on the surface that is known as corrosion. This corrosion can be considered valuable, denoting the age of an item, so before you decide to remove it, it is best to contact a professional restorer. To remove the corrosion, first wash the piece with a mild dish liquid and warm water. If the corrosion remains, use a flannel cloth to polish it off. Removing the corrosion by this method may take a while. If the corrosion is stubborn, put a small amount of mineral oil on a piece of fine-grade steel wool (0000) and very gently rub off the corrosion. Be very cautious not to press too hard as the steel wool can scratch the pewter.
Additional Tips and Advice
- NEVER wash your pewter in the dishwasher as the detergent and rough washing cycle will damage the finish. Also, pewter can melt at a temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- NEVER use abrasive cleaners on your pewter as they will damage the finish.
- There are some pewter products available which may be effective for cleaning and polishing your pewter. Just make sure the product is specifically designed for pewter, not for silver.
- Pewter will not have the same shine as silver and silver-plated items; even polished pewter has a duller finish.
- Avoid using pewter plates or bowls for acidic foods (such as citrus) as the acid in the food may damage the pewter.
- For a quick cleaning of your pewter items, try using cabbage leaves—simply remove the leaves from the cabbage and rub over the pewter, as you would with a polishing cloth. This old-time method is said to leave the pewter looking absolutely great.
Sources:
- Clean It Fast, Clean It Right by Jeff Bredenberg
- In the Kitchen with Heloise by Heloise
- Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook by Martha Stewart
It really worked.
How do you reverse damage to pewter from the dishwasher?
I have a small bowl with a lid, both with a beaten finish, branded Selangor Pewter 97%. Both parts have small marks similar to corrosion on aluminium and the lid has some darker spots of the same. Any suggestions?
I am 86 years old. I clean pewter with only one thing: a cabbage leaf. The pitcher always looks shiny and new after. If the leaf is fresh, it will be soft and a bit moist. Dampen an older dry leaf with a little water. Polish with a soft cloth.
I cast pewter, making things like fish horse heads, well anything you want that’s reasonably small. I polish with nothing but soft tissues you buy to keep handy to wipe your fingers or nose even. I place a tissue on my knee, double thickness, and rub while watching tele; works for me. (On my knee means with long trousers on, not bare knees.)
I have a pewter water pitcher. I’ve never used it. It has what appears to be corrosion on the inside around the sides and the bottom seam. I’m not sure what to use. It’s a sentimental gift and I want to use it. Any suggestions how to safely remove corrosion? Remember…the outside is fine…the inside is what I need help with. Thank you.
I have pewter wind chimes that hang outside. I’ve had them for years. They have a very dull “white-ish” look, from rain. I bring them in during winter. How can I clean them to make them look “original”. Soap & water does nothing.
Joan,
Try the method used for corrosion (mineral oil and sandpaper). Another option is to try a commercial metal cleaner that is safe for pewter, such as Weiman metal polish.
The pewter I am cleaning has black spots on it, which don’t come off. I have tried warm water and mild soap, which worked fine on the rest of the item, which has a lovely satin finish.
(I’m cleaning a small milk jug and matching sugar bowl set for our local OP shop).
Also have a tankard, which someone has obviously had a go with steel wool (!!!) which has scratched it; it simply is not responding to anything I have tried.
Can you help please?
Heather,
For the black spots, use a flannel cloth to buff them off. This may take a while. This might also work for the scratches. If not, you can try using a scouring powder like Bon Ami to buff out the scratches. Another option is to use a wax metal polish on the scratches; the wax/oil will either help you to buff out the scratches or will fill them in, making them less noticible. Good luck!
Source: The Magazine Antiques – Care of Pewter
Source: The Pewter Society – Care and Conservation
I have a pewter mug that I left at my local renfair shop over the off season. When I opened store next year, saw it there and was happy to find it, but on the inside it difinitely was set down with some mead from the past season and looks like mold grew down there. I sprayed it with some cleaning agent then washed it up with dish soap and filled it to the brim with boiling water and am gonna fill it with cleaning vinegar and let it sit to kill anything else. Just wanted to know if that would make it safe to drink from again. I don’t know if pewter is porous and can’t find anything about cleaning mold from pewter mugs so if someone could help that would be awesome. Thanks.
Mold is a serious business. I would clean and wait for 3 or 4 months to see if the mold returns. That is what I do.