Modern pewter can be washed by hand in hot, sudsy water, rinsed, and dried thoroughly with a soft cloth. Do not over clean antique pewter. It is not meant to look like silver.

To clean and polish pewter with an antique or dull finish, rub in one direction with a paste of rotten-stone and boiled linseed oil. When clean, wash in hot soapy water, rinse, dry and buff. For a lustrous satin finish, rub in one direction with a paste of whiting and denatured alcohol. When clean, wash, rinse, dry and buff.

Pewter may be pitted or stained by acids and other chemicals in some foods, so wash immediately after using. Be careful not to dent or scratch it.