Even if you’re not eating snacks while playing a card game, finger oils and general dirt can build up on the cards. This buildup makes dealing and shuffeling more difficult as the cards tend to stick together. Clean them with the methods below for easier dealing.
General Cleaning
Are your playing cards sticking together? Using a powdered cleaner will absorb finger oils and snack grease, as well as prevent the cards from sticking.
You Will Need:
- Baby powder¹
- Flour²
- Diatomaceous earth³
- Talcum powder⁴
Steps to Clean the Cards:
- Place the cards in a plastic bag.
- Sprinkle one of the powdered cleaners into the bag.
- Seal the bag and shake the bag to disperse the powder over the cards.
- Remove the cards from the bag and shuffle the deck several times to remove the powder.
Reviving Old Cards
Old playing cards may need a more serious cleaning. Use the methods below to make those cards clean again.
You Will Need:
- Camphor spirits⁵
- Cotton balls
- White bread⁶
Steps to Revive the Cards:
- Dampen a cotton ball with the spirits of camphor.
- Wipe each playing card with the damp cotton ball or a piece of crust-free white bread.
Additional Tips and Advice
- If you rip or lost the card box, store the cards in a travel container for a bar of soap.⁷
- A used Bounce sheet can be used to wipe clean any plastic-coated playing cards.⁸
Sources
- Extraordinary Uses For Ordinary Things by Reader’s Digest
- 99 Cent Solutions by Reader’s Digest
- Going Green Using Diatomaceous Earth by Tui Rose
- The Super Stain Remover Book by Jack Cassimatis
- Haley’s Hints by Graham and Rosemary Haley
- 10,001 Hints & Tips for the Home by Reader’s Digest
- Vinegar, Duct Tape, Milk Jugs & More by Earl Proulx
- Joey Green’s Cleaning Magic
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