How to Clean Pewter

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (26 Ratings)

Pewter - which consists mostly of tin - doesn't tarnish, but it will develop a dark patina. It's doubtful whether you should remove the patina, because doing so may detract from the value of your piece. Either soap and water or some of the homemade remedies listed below are usually all you'll need to keep your pewter in good condition

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Mild Dishwashing Detergent
Soft Cloth
Flour
Salt
Vinegar
Boiled Linseed Oil
rottenstone
pewter polish

Step1

Wash pewter in warm water using a mild detergent. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.

Step2

Make a paste of 1 tsp. salt, 1 cup vinegar and about a half-cup flour. Apply to pewter, then rinse and dry with a soft cloth

Step3

Polish pewter with a paste made of rottenstone (decomposed limestone, which is available at hardware stores) and boiled linseed oil. Then wash the pewter in warm, soapy water, rinse and buff dry.

Step4

Use a commercial pewter-cleaning product if desired. Follow directions exactly. If you use a commercial polish, make sure it is formulated especially for pewter. Do not use silver or brass polish.

Tips & Warnings

Remember that pewter is not supposed to look like polished silver. A duller finish is to be expected.
Old-timers swear that the best cleaner-polisher for pewter is cabbage leaves. That's right: Simply peel them off and use as scrubbers.
Never wash pewter in the dishwasher.
Pewter can be stained or corroded by acidic foods such as citrus juices.
Do not use an abrasive cleaner on pewter.