Pewter is enjoying a comeback as a popular choice for practical, functional eating and drinking utensils, and also as beautiful decorative pieces to add interest and function in modern living spaces. Knowing how to care for time honored and new pewter products will help family members enjoy favorite pieces for many generations.

There are typically 3 kinds of finish that are used on pewter products.

Polished Finish: smooth with a shiny surface

Satin Finish: grainy with a mellow patina or softer look

Oxidized Finish: dark with an antique look

All 3 types of pewter may be cleaned 2-3 times per year, or after each use, using just 1 technique.

Simply wash the pewter piece with warm water and use a mild soap. Immediately after washing, completely dry the pewter it with a soft cotton cloth.

Both polished and satin finished pewter pieces may also be cared for by using another simple cleaning method.

Polished pewter can also be cleaned 2-3 times a year by following 3 easy steps:

1.rubbing the pewter piece in a circular motion with a soft cotton cloth and a pewter polish, then

2.washing the pewter with warm water and a mild soap, finally

3.drying the pewter immediately and completely with a soft cotton cloth

Similarly, satin finished pewter can be cleaned 2-3 times a year by following these 3 easy steps:

1.buffing the piece with a fine grade of steel wool, rubbing in the direction of the grain, and pressing very lightly., then

2.washing the pewter in warm water using with a mild soap, finally

3.drying the pewter immediately and completely with a soft cotton cloth.

It is important that you do not wash any kind of pewter in an automatic dishwasher. You may find a problem of pitting and staining showing on your pewter pieces because of the high heat used in automatic dishwashers. Another problem is that other utensils may come into contact with the pewter, causing the pewter to be damaged.

By timing and using the correct cleaning technique, your pewter pieces will give you decades of care-free use.

Janet Chesal is an internet marketing specialist, a neurolinguistic program master practioner, a personal change consultant, trainer, and an admirer of all things pewter. She is the owner of CLASact (Creating Learning And Skills activation), and co-owner of Bizfare Enterprise Inc.(http://www.bizfare.ca) providing internet and business marketing and consulting services. She also co-owns a number of e-commerce web-sites: CoolComfortWear(http://www.coolcomfortwear.com) and PewterExpressions(http://www.pewterexpressions.com) that sell clothing and pewter collectibles respectively.