How to clean the sides of your cards

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 08 May 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Kittaine	08 May 2004
You know how the sides of your cards get dirty with constant use? How do you clean that up? Baby oil on cotton?

crystal cove	08 May 2004
I've had that problem with some decks that I've purchased used and I've come to the conclusion that the reason they don't come clean is because the original coating has worn off the sides from shuffling. If the original coating was still on, they would wipe clean. Or so my logic tells me. :D I know this isn't much help. I just have the feeling that tarot decks aren't manufactured to last a long time. They are used more often then regular playing card decks so we notice wear much faster. I've tried just about everything (and probably some I shouldn't have) to clean them and they just don't come clean.

Astra	08 May 2004
No, not baby oil! Especially if the surface has worn, it will sink right in to the paper. The paper swells, and - eeuch! Try using a gum eraser along the sides of the deck a few times with light pressure, or a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol. Careful with the alcohol, and try to stick to the unprinted stock. If it is simply dirt and hand oil, either one should help. If it's wear, and what you're seeing is the base stock coming through, then there isn't a whole lot you can do.

hyatt	08 May 2004
oh, that is a tough question! I think that if you use anything it should be a natural cleaner. Simple Green is a good cleaner that you can dilute. That is my best advice.

skytwig	08 May 2004
I would not use anything wet on them..... maybe artists tacky 'eraser' that you just gently dab at the sides with.... You could also research how book collectors clean antique books.... :)

Umbrae	08 May 2004
I’m wondering why you would want to clean the sides of the deck… A deck “right out of the box” does little for the sitter. In my experience I have found that most sitters prefer a deck with signs of wear – the more the better. Clean the cards? Never. Make them to not stick? Fine. Somewhere in this set of articles is the best way to do that.

Dark Inquisitor	08 May 2004
I have had good luck holding the deck firmly together and using a white ink eraser from the end of a pen on the sides . Also works wonderfully on the outside edges of used books that have accumulated dirt over time.

Kittaine	08 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae I’m wondering why you would want to clean the sides of the deck… A deck “right out of the box” does little for the sitter. In my experience I have found that most sitters prefer a deck with signs of wear – the more the better. Clean the cards? Never. Make them to not stick? Fine. Somewhere in this set of articles is the best way to do that. Forgive me for being ignorant, but what on earth is a sitter? Thanks!

Sulis	09 May 2004
I think a sitter is another word for quereant / the person you're reading for. Personally, I'm with Umbrae on this one - I like my cards to look worn in - hate that 'new deck' look. I understand that this is a used deck though so I'd be tempted to just smudge it with some incense to make it smell nice and leave the sides as they are :) Love Sulis xx

smokey	09 May 2004
Gotta go with Umbrae on this one & Sulis w/the incense; just my thoughts...

cheekyminx	09 May 2004
I agree with Umbrae. The cards need to grow old as well. Wear & tear gives them character

Kittaine	09 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by cheekyminx I agree with Umbrae. The cards need to grow old as well. Wear & tear gives them character LOL! I don't know why any reader would want their cards looking old and worn! I just don't get it! Oh well, to each his own, eh? I personally like my deck to look *virginal*, as pure as the day I first laid eyes on it and made it mine.

Umbrae	09 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Kittaine LOL! I don't know why any reader would want their cards looking old and worn! I just don't get it! In my post, i was not talking about what the reader wants - I was discussing what the sitter wants. I have never met a sitter, who wants to be read for, by a newbie - and a brand spanking new right out of the box deck shouts "NEWBIE!"... Sitters - like decks with character. As a reader...it ain't about me...

MeeWah	09 May 2004
The edges of most of my reading decks in various stages of wear, some darker & more blown out than others from handling but the cards themselves in good shape & will likely outlast me under normal reading circumstances. It has not occurred to me to try to clean them but I doubt they can be cleaned & could be damaged by cleaning. Know how the cards of a new deck tend to stick together, be too stiff to comfortably shuffle in any manner? I love it whence my cards develop a flexibility from use that they lie in deck formation as if cushioned by a layer of air between each card. They are old friends, tried & true. Whilst it may be prudent to invest in duplicate decks as replacements should the need arise, that has also not occurred to me until now--DUH! Though I am not sure that I would look to replace a deck unless it was well & truly falling apart, not useable (aside from the cost).

Kittaine	09 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae In my post, i was not talking about what the reader wants - I was discussing what the sitter wants. I have never met a sitter, who wants to be read for, by a newbie - and a brand spanking new right out of the box deck shouts "NEWBIE!"... Sitters - like decks with character. As a reader...it ain't about me... Uh-huh. Two other people after you said they liked their deck to look worn in. Maybe it's a preference I'll develop when I actually start to read for others face to face and become conscious of what look they want for a deck. But for now...I'm getting myself a gum eraser...

Astraea	09 May 2004
Kittaine, is this thread by any chance in reference to the soiled Thoth deck that you just received via eBay? If so, I think there is a difference between physically soiled card edges on a deck that was sold to you as new, and one that has become worn and soiled through one's own labors. In your shoes, I would get out the gum eraser, too -- if for no other reason than to put my own stamp on the deck. That said -- when one's own new decks eventually become worn and soiled from years of use, I think it's a plus. Fairly or not, querents often associate a worn deck with the degree of a reader's experience and expertise.

cheekyminx	09 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Astraea That said -- when one's own new decks eventually become worn and soiled from years of use, I think it's a plus. Fairly or not, querents often associate a worn deck with the degree of a reader's experience and expertise. Quote: Originally posted by Umbrea In my post, i was not talking about what the reader wants - I was discussing what the sitter wants. I have never met a sitter, who wants to be read for, by a newbie - and a brand spanking new right out of the box deck shouts "NEWBIE!"... Sitters - like decks with character. As a reader...it ain't about me.... I agree with you both. The tarot reader I see has had her deck (Raider Waite) for over 20 years. Personally I'd prefer to have someone read from their worn cards than their perfectly manicured deck of cards. Apperances do play a role here for me. I'd be curious about the reader with the new looking deck of cards then I would the reader with the cards that looked worn through years of use. Each to their own! :D

Astraea	09 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by cheekyminx Apperances do play a role here for me. I'd be curious about the reader with the new looking deck of cards then I would the reader with the cards that looked worn through years of use. Yes. I had a reading recently under "emergency" conditions from someone I personally like, but whose skill with tarot I wasn't sure of at the time. He handed me a Thoth deck that was so worn, it felt like a stack of cloth swatches. Emotionally, this had the immediate effect of making me feel more secure and I was able to relate to him more honestly and directly than if I'd remained suspicious. The reading was wonderful, and I suspect that half of the reason was that my confidence level allowed me to see connections that would have zipped right by me if I'd been tense and on guard. That said -- there comes a point when a deck is just so tatty that one wonders how much respect the reader feels for the cards (and by exension, him/herself and the querent). I've seen readers use decks that are so dirty -- not simply worn -- they make my skin crawl, and that can't be good for business! In the case above, the reader was dressed in clean clothes and the room was warmly lit and tastefully decorated, which probably would have gone a long way toward making me feel confident, even if he had just cracked open a brand new deck. :)

cheekyminx	09 May 2004
Oh god. I'd run away if I held a deck of cards that were dirty & worn & just yuck. Over time cards tend to get that used look which is fine as long as the cards are wrapped in velvet, stored in a lovely wooden box etc. Readers must treat their cards with respect & look after them. Just like ourselves who become worn as the years go by (how sad), even though we do look after ourselves (well I'd hope so) I can't help but have visions of dirty, grotty cards. lol I must admit that my cards are in fine form, unlike myself. Guess I should do more readings face to face than over the net ;)

Astraea	09 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by cheekyminx I'd run away if I held a deck of cards that were dirty & worn & just yuck...Readers must treat their cards with respect & look after them. Just like ourselves who become worn as the years go by (how sad), even though we do look after ourselves (well I'd hope so) LOL, Cheekyminx. I'm quite worn, myself, but clean! :D I just reread my post above and think that I might have made it sound as if the reader with his seasoned Thoth deck was the one whose cards were dirty -- if I did create that impression I must correct it, even though he'll never see this. His cards were old and worn, but clean. On the other hand, I've known a couple of readers over the years whose cards were actually grimy. Yuck is right! (Edited to apologize to Kittaine, I didn't mean to hijack your thread with my stories.)

cheekyminx	09 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Astraea (Edited to apologize to Kittaine, I didn't mean to hijack your thread with my stories.) [/b] Sure sure. You had it all planned. I'm just a follower. lol I'm still having visions of dirty, old worn cards. ARGH!

Alissa	09 May 2004
I like my personal decks like I like my personal books... old, well worn. Handled many times over. Comfortable.

Astraea	09 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by cheekyminx I'm still having visions of dirty, old worn cards. ARGH! Sorry, Cheekyminx! Visualize a nice, clean deck in a crisp cellophane wrapper (crinkle, crinkle). You're getting very sleepy... Kittaine, I agree with what others have said about using an ink eraser -- I've used one on the sides of some playing cards and it worked quite well.

dolphingirl	10 May 2004
I personally really like my decks to look like new. Yes haveing a deck that is well worked (worn) shows that the person using it has worked with it alot. That wouldn't make me think that they are more knowledgeable or a better reader than a person who is using a cleaner (more new looking) deck. Now on to cleaning the sides :) I would also recomend using the eraser on the sides as well.

Dark Inquisitor	10 May 2004
For me, there is a difference between pleasing decay and accumulated filth. Maybe there is a double standard for the sexes, I don't know. Sometimes guys get excused if they have messy apartments, but a woman with the same decor will just get called names and thought badly of.

The How to clean the sides of your cards thread was originally posted on 08 May 2004 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.