Keeping your pins in the 100% wool pin cushion will keep the glide from the natural oil, as mentioned above. To help with keeping them from getting dull in damp climates or near the ocean, plus them all the way down to the heads when not in use -- otherwise you hit the exposed surface and the pin won't work as easily. I too use the Clover pins which bend -- have both the longer (green & gold heads) and shorter (blue & yellow) so the colors will show on various fabrics.