How To Clean Pewter Jefferson Cups

Pewter is made mostly of tin and over time, may develop a dark patina. This dark patina is expected and even desired and removing it may detract from the value of your piece. Further, the proper way to clean your pewter may depend on the type of finish your pewter has. Generally, pewter will have a polished finish, a satin finish, or an antique (oxidized) finish. Following these simple methods will help keep your pewter in fine condition.

Cleaning Polished Pewter

Polished pewter is the most common type of pewter, and has a shiny finish.

What You Will Need:

Mild dish soap
Warm water
Sponge
Soft polishing cloth
Soft towel
Flour
Salt
Vinegar
Boiled linseed oil
Rottenstone
Pewter polish

The Cleaning Process:

Wash your pewter in warm water with a few drops of dish soap, rubbing gently with the sponge.
Rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly.
Make a paste of 1 tsp. salt, 1 cup vinegar and a little less than 1 cup flour.
Apply the paste to the pewter, and rub gently with a soft cloth using a circular motion.
Leave the paste on for about 20 to 30 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft towel.
To restore luster, make a paste of rottenstone (decomposed limestone, which is available in most home improvement and hardware stores) and linseed oil (for the smoothest most effective paste, boil the linseed oil first and make the paste when the oil is warm, but not hot).
Apply the paste to the pewter and rub with a soft polishing cloth, using circular motions.
Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft towel.

Cleaning Satin Pewter

Satin Pewter has a rougher appearance, with a grainy finish. It's not shiny like the polished pewter.

What You Will Need:

Mild dish soap
Warm water
Sponge
Soft towel
Very fine steel wool

The Cleaning Process:

Wash your pewter in warm water with a few drops of dish soap, rubbing gently with the sponge.
Rinse off suds with warm water and dry thoroughly.
Buff the surface of the pewter VERY LIGHTLY with the steel wool. Make sure you rub in the direction of the grain and DO NOT press hard. This buffing should only be done every few years; doing it too often may damage your pewter finish.

Cleaning Oxidized Pewter

Oxidized pewter has a darker finish than satin or polished pewter. It generally has an antique look to it. Polishing is not necessary or recommended and a simple washing with warm water and a mild dish detergent should keep your oxidized pewter looking its best.

Cleaning Corroded Pewter

Over time, pewter can develop a layer of build-up on the surface that is known as corrosion. This corrosion can be considered valuable, denoting the age of an item, so before you decide to remove it, it is best to contact a professional restorer. To remove the corrosion, first wash the piece with a mild dish liquid and warm water. If the corrosion remains, use a flannel cloth to polish it off. Removing the corrosion by this method may take a while. If the corrosion is stubborn, put a small amount of mineral oil on a piece of fine-grade steel wool (0000) and very gently rub off the corrosion. Be very cautious not to press too hard as the steel wool can scratch the pewter.

Additional Tips and Advice

NEVER wash your pewter in the dishwasher as the detergent and rough washing cycle will damage the finish. Also, pewter can melt at a temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
NEVER use abrasive cleaners on your pewter as they will damage the finish.
There are some pewter products available which may be effective for cleaning and polishing your pewter. Just make sure the product is specifically designed for pewter, not for silver.
Pewter will not have the same shine as silver and silver-plated items; even polished pewter has a duller finish.
Avoid using pewter plates or bowls for acidic foods (such as citrus) as the acid in the food may damage the pewter.
For a quick cleaning of your pewter items, try using cabbage leaves—simply remove the leaves from the cabbage and rub over the pewter, as you would with a polishing cloth. This old-time method is said to leave the pewter looking absolutely great.

Sources:

Clean It Fast, Clean It Right by Jeff Bredenberg
In the Kitchen with Heloise by Heloise
Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook by Martha Stewart

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