I put them in my mouth too, but it seems like more end up on the floor than in my mouth! Have a heavy duty magnet to pick them up but keep that magnet away for your electroic sewing machines!

I went to Goodwill and bought a wool sweater. Washed in it hot water and then cut two squares, with the rest of it just chopped it up and stuffed the squares. the wool seems to clean and sharpen the pins.