Taking Care of Your Pewter
Though we at Aitkens Pewter would be happy to clean your pieces for you at our workshop in Fredericton, New Brunswick, we know that part of loving your pewter is giving it the occasional dose of TLC. So, we put this handy guide together for everyone asking themselves, "How do I clean my pewter?"
1. Soap and Water
Especially if it's a serving dish, wine tumbler, or other piece of pewter that frequently touches food, you'll want to stay away from harsh polishes and chemicals. Using a soft cloth, dish soap, and warm water will do the trick. Make sure you dry the piece thoroughly.
2. Windex
Household glass cleaners containing ammonia have proved to do an excellent job removing dust and oils from the surface of pewter without leaving any damaging residue. Spray the cleaner on a soft cloth and wipe in the direction of the grain of the pewter. This works best for jewelry and decorations such as clocks and figurines.
3. Silver Polish
If you have a piece of bright or shiny pewter that has seen better days, a non-abrasive silver or jewelry polish can elevate it back to its former glory. Make sure the application method for your polish is soft and won't scratch the pewter; dips, polishing cloths, and saturated cotton like NevrDull are all great choices.
There you have it. Three great options for taking care of your pewter at home. Remember, as pewter ages it gets darker very evenly. If your pewter appears spotty, smudged, or rusty, there's something on it that needs to be cleaned off!