Here's a new twist: There's a similar discussion on another board I belong to, and the suggestion there is to dip your cone of thread in pharmaceutical-grade mineral oil. Apparently Sharon Schamber does this, it's one of the things she teaches it in her classes. She dips, wipes the excess off, and sews away! I have a friend who is a Homesteader dealer and she does this with her thread. I asked her if the oil leaves stains on her fabric and she said no. I'm going to try this on a cone of Superior Rainbow I've been struggling with.

I agree with Candace. If you have to do this something is wrong.