How to Clean Pewter

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about How to Clean Pewter and hope the blog can help you.

Regular cleaning helps preserve pewter tableware and decor. This guide can help you care for this soft, durable, and beautiful metal.

Pewter is used in everything from jewelry to kitchen utensils to the classic tankard. This metal remains popular with artisans and craftspeople because its malleability makes it easy to work. Since it won’t rust like iron or tarnish like silver, pewter is an excellent low-maintenance alternative to iron or silver.

All that said, pewter still needs cleaning and polishing from time to time to maintain its luster and beauty. If you’ve never done it yourself and are looking for advice on  how to clean pewter, you’re in the right place: This guide, including guidance from a pewter expert and a cleaning expert, will set you on the right path.

What is pewter?

Pewter is an alloy that consists of several other metals, typically tin, copper, and antimony. This combination makes it extremely malleable, which is why it can be shaped into a variety of items, including jewelry, figurines, and dinnerware. One of pewter’s most noteworthy characteristics is that it will never rust or tarnish. As it ages and is handled, however, it will develop a dark patina.

Is pewter toxic?

Whether pewter is toxic depends on how old an item is. Lead was removed from pewter’s composition in 1974; most modern pewter doesn’t contain lead and therefore doesn’t present a risk of toxicity. Older pewter pieces that contain trace amounts of lead will develop a grayish-black patina on their surfaces. While it’s safe to display pewter that contains lead, only lead-free pewter is safe to be worn as jewelry, or used when consuming food or drink.

How often should you clean pewter?

How often you should clean pewter depends on the object and function, says Fierman. “Dishware can and should be cleaned often with use, but if a display item, it can be dusted regularly and cleaned with soap and water a few times per year,” she says. The frequency depends on its environment and whether the finish is polished, satin, or oxidized, she explains.

Types of Pewter Finishes

You’ll find pewter in three types of finishes: satin, polished, and oxidized.

• Oxidized pewter is a charcoal gray color from its treatment with a darkening agent. Polishing it will remove this dark layer.
• Satin pewter has a soft matte finish. As with oxidized pewter, polishing satin pewter will remove its patina.
• Polished pewter (see photo above) has a high sheen that mimics the look of silver. This type of pewter needs to be polished periodically to maintain that sheen.