Static electricity… we’ve all been there! You know that feeling when you throw an outfit on for the day and all of a sudden a sudden shock nips your finger?
Or, those times when you put on your favorite silk or satin blouse and begin to notice the garment sticking onto your body in the most uncomfortable way? You try to shake it off or pull it but it just doesn’t seem to work. Well, unfortunately, the static from these types of garments won’t go away that easily. Static electricity builds up gradually on your clothing and eventually surprises you with a sudden shock. But why does this happen? Keep reading to find out our tips & tricks on how to get rid of static on your clothing.
What Causes Static in Clothes?
When different fabrics begin to rub against each other, for example inside your at-home drying machine, an electrostatic charge starts to build up in your clothes. Usually, these clothes are the ones made of synthetic fibers, which causes them to stick to your body almost as if they were glued on you.
From a scientific perspective, electrons build up in the atmosphere along with a mix of positive and negative charges. Since opposite charges attract, when these electrons meet, they produce a shock. However, if these electrons aren’t strong enough, they cling instead. This is due to the fact that dry air is an electrical insulator and this shocking or clinging static buildup often happens in the winter months when the air has a lower humidity rate. And the dry, hot air in a tumble dryer can cause even more static electricity in clothes, hence why your clothes may be staticky.
Tips to Prevent Static Cling
- Fabric Softener – Using fabric softener allows your garments to smell extra fresh and feel super soft on your body. I mean, who doesn’t want to smell amazing after putting on freshly cleaned garments? Plus, it invisibly lubricates your clothing, which dispels electricity!
- Dryer Sheets – Adding an anti-static dryer sheet to your laundry load stops electrons from building up when your clothes inevitably rub together in your drying machine.
- Lotion – Putting body moisturizer on prior to getting dressed prevents your clothing from rubbing against your dry skin. Along with this, it eliminates unwanted sparks when you get dressed. Aside from this, moisturizing your body prior to getting dresses is always a good idea!
- A Humidifier – Since dry air is the largest contributor to static electricity, placing a humidifier near your laundry room can help eliminate this issue. Overall, humidifiers can ease multiple problems caused by dry air.
- Separate Natural Fibers from Synthetic Fibers – When cotton fibers rub up against some of the synthetic blends in workout clothing (polyester fabrics) that can create staticky-like electricity. Drying these items separately can prevent that from occurring.
- Shake Your Clothes Out of the Dryer or Air Dry – The high heat and constant tumbling in a drying machine can cause static to generate immensely. Drying on an old-fashioned clothing line ensures that static will be non-existent. Or, simply air dry your clothes near a window on a hot and sunny day.
Tips to Get Static Out of Clothes
If you ever find that your clothes are adhering to your body in a way that’s uncomfortable and less than flattering, try these solutions to get static out of of your clothes:
- Water – Don’t use water on delicate fabrics such as silk. But for more durable fabrics, lightly wet your hands with warm water and then gently brush them over the surface of your clothing to dispel static cling.
- Talcum Powder – Apply talcum powder directly to your skin where the fabric is extra clingy to help prevent static.
- Dryer Sheets – Besides using dryer sheets for their intended use in a drying machine, you can also rub them on your clothing to stop the static!
- Dryer Balls -These have many uses, including reducing drying time and softening your clothes while in the machine. And if you stick a few safety pins inside of your dryer balls, they will also fight static. When the safety pins touch the metal inside the dryer, the electrons are discharged away from the fabric into the dryer drum. This reduces the static left behind in your clothes.
- Wood Clothes Hangers – Velvet clothing hangers can actually increase the static-like electricity in your clothing. Using wood hangers will reduce the static on your clothing. Feel free to read our published blog post to learn more about the best hangers to use for your garments.
Contact Red Hanger Today
Want clean, professional, and neatly pressed garments without all the added static? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Red Hanger is here to help!