How To Clean Pewter Hairspray Buildup

Learning how to clean pewter hairspray buildup correctly will keep your treasured pieces and jewelry looking great.  Pewter is a tin alloy that is frequently used in decorative storage containers, bathroom fixtures, dishes, and in pieces of jewelry.  While antique pewter was a combination of tin and lead, modern alloys combine antimony and copper with the tin instead.  Removing hairspray buildup is a common cleaning task of bathroom fixtures or of surfaces in a dressing area.  Because pewter may be pitted, stained, bent or scratched easily by chemicals or harsh cleaning, learning techniques to properly remove hairspray buildup in these areas is necessary to protect the product’s finish.

Materials needed to clean pewter hairspray buildup:

• Warm Water
• Mild Detergent
• Soft Cloths
• Rotten Stone & Linseed Oil for Polishing (Optional)

1. Prepare the cleaning solution.  Pewter is easily damaged by harsh and abrasive chemicals.  While hairspray buildup is stubborn and can require a long cleaning session, it is water soluble and can be cleaned away with a mild, soapy water solution and scrubbing.  Create a solution of a gallon of warm water to ¼ cup mild detergent.
2. Clean  Wash by scrubbing gently by hand with a soft cloth, taking care not to scratch the surface.  Do not put these dishes or containers in a dishwasher, as the cleaning action of the dishwasher can damage the metal.  This may take some time to dissolve the hairspray buildup—especially if the item has not been cleaned in a while.  You may choose to use a commercial cleaning solution, but be sure that it is intended for your antique or modern pewter or is suitable for both.
3. Thoroughly dry Dry the pewter by hand with a dry, soft cloth.  Be sure it is completely dry before handling or displaying.
4. Polish, if desired.  Pewter can be polished with a paste of Rotten Stone combined with Linseed Oil.  Rub the polishing paste on in one direction.  Repeat the cleaning and drying steps.
5. Clean regularly.  Clean the pewter as soon as it becomes soiled if possible to avoid excess buildup and a long cleaning time.  If jewelry is becoming coated with hairspray, be sure to put on the jewelry after applying hair products and cosmetics to avoid buildup.