How to Clean and Care for Pewter
Pewter Information:
Pewter (Fine Pewter) is an alloy or mixture of metals that can contain various percentages of antimony, bismuth, tin or copper.
“Fine Pewter” contains at least 92% tin and no lead. Antimony and bismuth add varying degrees of strength or hardness. Low grade pewter’s contain as much as 80-90% lead. Do not use these if the Pewter is to come in contact with food or beverages.
Modern lead-free pewter made here in the United States, does not tarnish because it no longer contains lead. If you are in the Market for Pewter be sure it has a minimum of 90% tin. Lead free Pewter or modern day pewter does oxidize over time.
Modern day figurines come in a variety of finishes from buffed satin to sparkling white sterling silver finish. Some pewter figurines appear darker and “older” than others. Some think darker equates to older, and that’s mostly true, it could mean “older” or too much lead. The figurine was probably put into an oxidizing solution to give it an “older” appearance. Some of our figurines are diamond-cut along the edges. This gives a dramatic effect.
Use of any type of abrasive cleanser or spray will permanently damage your piece!
We Receive many questions on how to care for pewter figurines and Jewelry:
You figurines may need an occasional dusting with a soft cloth. Never use any type of abrasive cloth, cleanser, cleaning sprays as this may cause permanent damage.
Never put pewter figurines or Jewelry in a dishwasher! Detergent and heat may be harmful to the finish. The pewter can be stained or corroded by acidic foods such as citrus juices.
Polished Pewter:
Polished Pewter is shiny and smooth. It should be cleaned a couple of times a year. We use the following process. Make a paste with 1 tsp salt, ½ cup flour and 1 cup vinegar. Apply to pewter and let sit for 15 min’s to one hour. Rinse and dry with soft cloth. If there are scratches you can use a polish called “Mothers” that can be found at the hardware store or check the web as there are many sites that sell pewter cleaners. There is a Bellona Pewter Steel Wool you can buy at Grocery stores for Pewter care, please read the directions before using. Rub the piece in a circular motion with a soft cloth and do not press hard, if your not careful you will remove a fine layer of pewter.
Antique Pewter:
Antique Pewter usually contains lead and may develop a dark patina which is a result of the lead. This creates the antique look that many manufacturers try to imitate. The patina layer acts as a protective layer and should not be removed. Removal of that layer will expose the layers underneath and in time they will corrode again. It is best to stay with soft cloth and warm water with a mild detergent.
Satin Pewter:
Satin Pewter is rougher in appearance. It is not shiny and has a grain type finish. Wash with warm water and mild detergent. You may want to buff out or brush this kind of pewter every few years. Use the very fine steel wool that I spoke of earlier.
HOW TO POLISH PEWTER:
One of the OLD ways to polish pewter is still used by some today. Peel off and use cabbage leaves as scrubbers to polish their Pewter.
You can polish pewter with a paste made of rottenstone (decomposed limestone) that you can buy in hardware stores, missed with boiled linseed oil. Rub in one direction. Then wash pewter in warm soapy water. Rinse, dry off and buff. For a lustrous satin finish, rub in one direction with a paste of whiting and denatured alcohol. Then wash, dry and buff. You can also use a commercial pewter cleaning product.
Do not use Silver or Brass polish!
Pewter will last a lifetime if cared for properly. To maintain a like new look on your pewter items you should care for them differently depending on the finish.
CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROTECT YOUR PEWTER FROM FALLING! Pewter figurines with small and/or delicate parts can often bend or break all together and are difficult or impossible to repair depending on the damage done.
