How to clean and care for old pewter

Step by step

1. 1

   Step 1: Know the finish

   Pewter comes in a bright polished finish, a satin finish or an old dark patina. Old dark patina is part of the value of antique pieces, so leave it.

2. 2

   Step 2: Wash it

   Wash in warm soapy water with a soft cloth and dry it straight away.

3. 3

   Step 3: Polish lightly if you need to

   For pieces that should be bright, use a little fine pewter polish on a soft cloth. Pewter is soft and scratches easily, so no abrasive pads.

4. 4

   Step 4: Don't heat it

   Pewter melts at a low temperature. Keep it out of the oven, off hot plates and away from heat guns.

5. 5

   Step 5: Protect it

   A thin coat of microcrystalline wax keeps fingerprints off display pieces.