Fanning powder works well I like rubbing the edges on an old pair of jeans too.

I use magnesium stearate, Does anyone know about its toxicity?

Toxicity is not a problem. Dusts can be an irritant to your eyes, nose, throat, lungs and mucous membranes if you get a large exposure. A little bit on some cards should be no problem as long you don't drop the can of powder in front of a fan.

Buy fanning powder! It really will turn out to be worth it in the end!

Do NOT use fanning powder on packet tricks. The powder will absorb the dirt and oil off of your hands and gum up the cards. They will become sticky and unusable.

Zinc Sterate is a metal based soap powder and as such it repels water and is broken down by oils. It was used for years (until around 1975) as powder for babies back-sides because it kept them dry. Magicians has used it for fanning.

I would not say that it absorbs the dirt and oils from the hands since it is a metal based soap powder. However, the oils on your hands can break down the powder after moderate use and then oils and dirt then gum up on the cards, especially when the finish wears thin.

--Best

John

THAT explains why the liquid soap didn't work, Chris!

Fanning powder is the answer.