Cleaning Debit and Credit Cards

Ever have a debit card that machines can't read?

The cashier can key in your number by hand, or you can try cleaning the card's magnetic stripe.  Not only will your cards work, but they'll get abused (bent, rubbed, and cursed at) by cashiers less often.

Lifehacker suggests cleaning your stripes regularly, and even using an eraser to remove every last bit of dust.  I've never used the eraser and I'm hesitant to do so on my cards, but if you've tried everything else it may be worth a shot.

Commenters at Lifehacker have other ideas, too:

• See if your bank can do anything
• Slip a plastic bag over the card
• Put clear tape over the stripe

Have you repaired or extended the life of a well-worn debit card? Tell us how in the comments.

Further reading:

• Choosing Debit vs Credit