How to Remove Static from Clothes?

Clothing "electrifies" due to dry air and friction of fabrics between each other. By exchanging charges, the fibers create electricity. Sometimes, touching metal objects, you can even see a blue spark. Often spark and stick to the body synthetic, silk, woolen things. Static electricity can strike you in summer, but in winter, we get cheerful clicks and sparks much more often. Clothes stick to the body, hair stands up, and people try not to touch each other unnecessarily. It is possible to reduce discomfort if you follow some rules.

Almost every person has faced an unpleasant situation when clothes stick to the body. Quite harmless in everyday life phenomenon, often accompanied by crackling and even sparking, causes some discomfort when things not only "beat" the current but also attract dust, hair, and small lint, and, in addition, the dress sticks to the tights. Static tension is formed on the fabric at any time of the year, but this problem of static is felt most strongly in winter. The imbalance of positively and negatively charged particles causes clothes to spark and stick to your body, making you uncomfortable.

Some closet items are no hassle, while others are constantly electrified. Static electricity on clothing is caused by the friction of the fabric against everything around it: the same fabric, the body, and even the air. This friction results in an imbalance of negatively and positively charged electrons, which causes things to "squeak" and "crackle." But why are not all things electrified? Both natural and synthetic fabrics can accumulate static electricity. However, some materials have a greater tendency to do this. The fact is that this largely depends on the material of the clothes, as well as on the degree of humidity in the air: the higher the humidity, the less charge. That's why, in winter, some garments are more electrified.

The better the material absorbs liquid, the less static tension accumulates on the garment. As for the material, synthetic fabrics are the most susceptible to static electricity; wool and silk are much less so because they absorb moisture well, and cotton and linen are rarely electrified. Treatment with a special agent will help to create a thin film on the surface of the clothes to retain moisture. The substance can be applied not only to closet items but also to electrifying carpeting.

Use dryer sheets
Adding dryer sheets to each load of laundry before starting the dryer will help eliminate static electricity. Dryer sheets have a fabric softener coating that has a positive charge. When the different fabrics in the dryer are moved around and come into contact with the cloth, some positively charged ions are transferred to the clothes. This effectively absorbs static electricity and prevents the clothes from sticking together. Dryer sheets also soften clothes and prevent hair and small debris from sticking to the fabrics.

Although laundry dryer sheets can eliminate static electricity, there are a few reasons to think twice before using them. Some family members may be sensitive to fabric softeners. Using dryer sheets increases waste and financial costs, as you'll need new clothes for each load of laundry. A coating that helps prevent static cling is unsuitable for some fabrics or the inside of the dryer. For example, it can negatively affect the absorbency of towels, ruin the moisture-wicking properties of sportswear, and damage silk .

Try an anti-static spray
As their name implies, anti-static sprays are designed to be sprayed on clothing to prevent static electricity. When you spray the spray, electrons are distributed throughout the surface of the clothing, which works as a barrier to prevent electrons from transferring from one piece of clothing to another. In addition to buying an anti-static spray, you can use ingredients you already have at home. Mixing water with vinegar at a ratio of 4 parts water to 1 part vinegar and spraying your clothes before drying can help reduce static electricity.

Use dryer balls
Wool dryer balls are a healthier, eco-friendly alternative to fabric softener and dryer sheets. Adding dryer balls to your laundry separates the fabrics as they dry, allowing more air to circulate between items. This can reduce the time it takes to dry and make clothes softer. Static clinging is often the result of over-drying clothes. Spritzing wool balls with water before putting them in the laundry allows the clothes to dry faster than the wool. Since the wool is still wet, it moistens the dryer slightly, reducing static electricity.

Use english pins or a wire hanger
In general, any metal object will do. An English pin can be pinned on the outside of your clothes for a few minutes. If pinned on the inside and worn constantly, electricity will not accumulate. The outfit will get rid of the charge on a metal hanger for about 10-15 minutes. When you don't have time, you can rub the fabric with it or pull it through the hanger. Metal can attract a static charge and remove it from clothing items. When you put English pins on an old sock before starting the drying cycle, they effectively work as a lightning rod to remove static charge from the clothes. You can also attach an English pin to an inconspicuous spot on your clothes to remove static electricity. Wire hangers are also an effective tool for removing static electricity. If you feel like your clothes are sticking to each other or your body, try putting them on a wire hanger. This helps transfer static electricity from the item to the metal wire.

Dry the clothes on a rope
As mentioned above, static clinging is caused by clothes rubbing against each other in the dryer. Therefore, it is worth drying them on a rope. This drying method will not only eliminate static electricity but also minimize the number of creases. Remember that some fabrics, such as wool or knitwear, should be dried horizontally rather than hung. Hanging can cause them to stretch.

Do not over-dry fabrics
When the fabrics in the dryer are still wet, the electrons transferred between them can return to their original positions. However, as clothes dry, more static electricity builds up. The longer the dryer runs, the more clothing items will continue to rub against each other, transferring more electrons and increasing the static charge.

Moisturizing lotion
We should not forget that static occurs when two surfaces rub together. The first is things; the second is our bodies. Wipe moisturizing lotion over the area of the body to which the fabric is particularly adhered. This method works well if a particular piece of fabric is static.

Separate fabrics before drying
Synthetic fabrics are more prone to static electricity than natural fabrics. Therefore, sort your clothes into different groups before loading them into the dryer. This is useful because of the static and different fabrics require different drying times and temperatures. This way your clothes will last longer.

Increase the humidity level in the room
Low humidity levels in a room allow clothing items to hold a stronger ionic charge. Using a humidifier can help increase the humidity level in a room by increasing the amount of water vapor in the air. There are two main categories of humidifiers: cool mist and warm mist. Cool mist humidifiers, either evaporative or ultrasonic, eject water vapor or droplets into the air to increase humidity levels. Warm mist humidifiers disperse vapor into the air using boiling water. In addition to reducing static cling, you may find that a humidifier helps prevent your skin, throat, lips, and nose from drying out as they usually do in the winter.

Use a laundry conditioner
Liquid laundry conditioner coats the fibers of your clothes during the wash cycle, but it doesn't rinse out completely. Once you place the laundry in the dryer, the conditioner charges the clothes positively, preventing static cling buildup, similar to dryer wipes. Using fabric softener will also make your clothes smoother and protect the fibers during washing from fading. However, you should not add fabric softener with every load. As with dryer sheets, this can reduce the absorbency of towels and negate the flame-retardant properties of children's pajamas. Fabric softeners should also not be used with water-resistant, microfiber, or synthetic materials.

Add baking soda to laundry detergent
Before you send your dress or sweater into the washing machine, read the instructions for washing them. It is better to listen if they can not be machine washed and dried in the dryer. Even the most gentle mode can ruin the fabric. If the label "gives good," add a little soda to the powder before washing. It will help to partially remove the electrification of the fabric. When drying in the dryer, put an anti-static cloth inside the garment while it is still damp.