Pewter just gets better with age. The lovely antiqued patina many pewter pieces boast comes from years of use, love and care. So use your pewter! The more you do, the better it will look.

Made of an alloy of tin, copper and antimony, modern pewter is food-safe and easier to care for than antique pewter, which is not only unsafe for food but needs the occasional polishing. Modern pewter does not tarnish like silver or antique pewter. It oxidizes slowly to create a beautiful patina.

Highly acidic foods may leave even modern pewter pieces pitted or stained. To clean, wash by hand in mild soap and warm water immediately after use. After washing, dry each piece thoroughly with a soft cloth then gently buff to restore luster. Never store leftovers in your pewter serving pieces and DO NOT put any pewter in the dishwasher!

If a light tarnish begins to develop, remove it with a commercial all-metal (not silver) polish. For shiny pewter, use a soft cloth and gently rub in the polish using circular motions. Be sure to turn the cloth to a clean section frequently, until no more black residue is present. Wash the piece and dry it thoroughly, then buff to create a shine that lasts. On satin-finish pewter, rub the polish in the direction of the finish.

Do not over-clean your pewter. The soft, oxidized patina the piece gains over time is part of the beauty of pewter and helps protect the metal.