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How to Clean Tarnished Wilton Armetale [3 DIY Methods + Tips]

Do you like having a feel of antique serveware at dinner parties? Well then, you must have a few Wilton Armetale in your collection. They make beautiful statement pieces for serving your guests. It may be difficult to get rid of any blemishes or gray tinges.

How to clean tarnished Wilton Armetale?

You can easily clean discolored Armetale with baking soda and vinegar. Make a fine concoction of water, baking soda, and vinegar. Apply it on the Armetale and then wipe it. Another method is to soak it in vinegar and water. Enhance the effectiveness by adding citrus. 

Not convinced about the method? Relax a little! We have prepared an entire guideline just on that topic. 

We’ve got you covered! Without delay, let’s get your serveware all cleaned up!

Why is My Wilton Armetale Serveware Tarnished – 4 Reasons

From casual dinnerware to Holiday dining, Wilton Armetale covers everything! So, the clean-up depends on whether you’re using it daily or not. 

Aluminum trays, serving utensils, and even kitchen sinks can get dull. You may have noticed that the metal serveware is getting dark gray or black stains on it. Normalcy dictates that this happens.

Your Armetale Serveware can be tainted by a few different things. We have listed them below:

Oxidation of Aluminum Serveware

Stain markings are an unavoidable side effect of the oxidation of aluminum. Metal reacts with oxygen in the air to form this harmless tarnish. 

Using A Dishwasher To Clean

One of the things that promote oxidation is putting metal in the dishwasher. Dishwashers enable aluminum serveware to scrape against one another. It enables speeding up the corrosion process and leaving dark and gray stains. 

High Heat

Certain Aluminum Armetale Serveware may tarnish when subjected to prolonged exposure to high heat. Serveware can be safely placed in the oven no hotter than 375 degrees Fahrenheit. But just to be sure, check with the manufacturer. 

Vinegar or Fatty Acids on the Serveware

You should not place food with high fatty acids and vinegar in your Armetale serveware. Salads that have vinegar and salad dressings should be placed in crystal or ceramic bowls. Otherwise, your serving dishes could get tarnished.

However, don’t be alarmed if your serveware has deteriorated. Simple cleaning agents, both homemade and store-bought, will restore the gloss.

Wilton Armetale Serveware: 3 Cleaning Methods

Wilton Armetale serveware is available in a variety of styles, including classic and contemporary. If you have a vintage classic, exercise extreme caution. Modern designs are easier to maintain and do not tarnish as quickly as their predecessors.

Now, let’s see the three safe methods to clean your Wilton Armetale. 

Method 1: Cleaning with Baking Soda and Vinegar

Some say baking soda is terrible for cleaning kitchen items. However, this is only true in terms of kitchenware. Discoloration could be fixed with baking soda, but it could also damage the new ones. So you should be careful!

To remove the tarnish, combine the baking soda with a few drops of water and thoroughly stir. Wait until it’s entirely smooth before proceeding. Baking soda should be mixed with water unless a thick paste is formed. The paste should next be infused with a few drops of vinegar.

This paste should be applied directly to your Armetale serving ware. Using the paste and a soft cloth, wipe the serveware. Work the concoction into the metal.

You should wear gloves while doing this. We have created a list of heavy-duty gloves just for you:

Ironclad Heavy Utility Work GlovesRubber-made reusable gloves 
Heavy Duty Nitrile GlovesDisposable nitrile gloves 

To get rid of the baking soda and vinegar, give the dish a good rinse. Half-fill your kitchen basin with boiling water. You should solve not having warm water in your kitchen sink. 

To make it even better, you can add a little bit of mild household cleaning soap. With soapy water, soak your Wilton Armetale serveware. Then, wipe it down with a soft but dry cloth.

Method 2: Soak It in Vinegar 

You can soak your serveware in white vinegar if it is highly tarnished and discolored. Using a perfect blend of water with vinegar, make a dilution. The ratio should be one to one. 

Add a few teaspoons of lemon juice and bring everything to a boil. After that, submerge the serving utensils in water. Soak for up to half an hour.

Every now and then, keep a lookout for it. You don’t want to take any more time than is absolutely required. Then use the appropriate chemical to polish.

Method 3: Using Cream of Tartar 

Get a regular kitchen pot and fill it halfway with water. Select one that is sufficiently large to hold the aluminum serveware. Two to three spoonfuls of cream of tartar should be dissolved in the water before using.

Turn up the heat on the burner until the water comes to a boil. Then reduce the heat to a low-medium setting. Place the aluminum inside the water-filled pot. Ten to fifteen minutes is enough time for it to rest.

Sometimes big servewares won’t fit in the pot. In that case, continue boiling the water and wash the serveware in the sink. 

You should always let the Armetale serveware dry. Oftentimes, the degradation is due to the storage cabinet paints. So choose the best paint coat for your kitchen cabinets.

Tips and Tricks

We have prepared some preventive measures for you. Simply save yourself from scrubbing away the dining dishes and follow these:

  1. We know acidic or salty food could otherwise make aluminum look dull or smudged. If you’re serving food that has vinegar, make sure your piece is cleaned with vegetable oil.
  2. Just before placing the serveware on the table, drizzle it with oil. If you do this, the oil will protect the finish from foods.
  3. Always avoid dishwashers. If somehow that’s impossible, place them in the dishwasher at different ends of the cycle.
  4. Use Armetale metal polish after cleaning. This will give your serveware a glossy finish and prevent it from tarnishing.
  5. If you use polish, it might take a while for it to show good results. So keep on whipping polish on the serveware until you are satisfied. 
  6. Always wash the serveware after polishing. This will give off better results, and the effect of polish will last longer.

That’s all, folks! Try these tips and see the difference for yourself. 

FAQs

Question: When to clean my Wilton Armetale serveware?

Answer: If you’re using Wilton Armetale for daily use, you might not have to worry. Lightly scrubbing or cleaning it with dish soap will help to prevent discoloration. But if you see some back stains, you’d have to get to work right away.

Question: Is Pewter serving ware from Wilton safe?

Answer: Modern pewter is free of lead and entirely safe to use. It’s made mostly of tin. A little bit of copper and antimony is thrown in for good measure. The company guarantees that it’s safe for everyone.

Question: Can I bake or barbecue in Armadale?

Answer: One of the most appealing features of Armetale Serveware is that it can be used to cook in. It can survive up to 1200°F. So there’s no need to worry about placing it in the oven, on the stovetop, or on the barbeque.

EndNotes

Now you know exactly how to clean tarnished Wilton Armetale. I’m sure you hate seeing the gritty blackish-gray hue on your precious serveware. So get them cleaned up fast!

Just a quick tip. If you want to use any polish, just test it beforehand. Apply it to a hidden area that won’t be noticeable.

Goodbye!