I am sure that we have all experienced the unpleasant sensation of being shocked by static electricity when we least expect it.
After all, who is anticipating a jarring electrical shock when they are putting on their clothes? Fortunately, there are many ways that you can solve this recurrent problem.
In this article, we are going to go into all the details about anti-static for clothing. How is it possible to make your clothes free of static energy? Which products are the best to buy for this purpose? Are there any simple, DIY ways that you can make clothes anti-static at home with things you already own? Read ahead to find our all the helpful details:
Table of Contents
Why Do My Clothes Shock Me When I Put Them On?
So why exactly do you experience that little electric shock when you put on your clothes on occasion? The secret lies in the science of the process.
When surfaces rub against each other, or even against the air particles, their molecules start to mobilize their electrons. The transfer of electrons between the surfaces causes the material to acquire a charge, usually a negative one.
These charges continue to accumulate when they do not find a stable pathway to discharge safely. As a result, the charges are suddenly discharged when they come in contact with your skin or another surface, causing you to experience that electrical shock.
Sometimes, if you are working with sensitive equipment, like complex electronics, the electrostatic discharge can mess with the integrity of its inner operations.
Even a small amount of unwanted current can completely mess up the accuracy and precision of such devices. Not to mention, you may be putting yourself at risk if you are working with easily flammable materials as the ESD can initiate a damning spark.
That is why it is important to find and employ an effective way to counter electrostatic buildup on clothing.
How Does Anti Static Clothing Work?
There are two ways you can rid yourself of the nuisance that is static cling. The first option is to prevent the buildup of electrostatic charges on the material of your clothing.
Clothes most often acquire static charges when they are being washed and dried in machines. The hot, dry air and continuous friction between the surfaces are responsible for doing this. Solutions that target the issue at this point basically ensure that this does not happen.
The other approach is to protect your clothes from cling after the fact. This is where sprays and solvents come in. Anti-static sprays usually comprise a combination of water and alcohol.
You spray the solution onto your clothes, the solvent evaporates, and a thin layer of protective substance is left behind that prevents the build-up and discharge of static charges from your clothing.
How to Make Your Clothes Anti Static?
As I mentioned before, there are a lot of ways you can get rid of static that builds up on your clothes.
You can purchase certain products that help you do the trick or you can employ some home-based remedies that often prove to be just as effective.
You have convenient, on-the-go solutions like anti-static sprays that work like a charm at a moment’s notice. Then you also have preventive measures where you avoid the build-up of static charge on your clothing in the first place, for example, when they are being washed and dried.
Then you can patch up some nifty solutions by yourself in the form of your very own homemade anti-static spray. Let’s explore all of the options that you have at your disposal in further detail:
Is Fabric Softener Effective?
Absolutely! The most frequently used and arguably the easiest method of preventing a static build-up on your clothes is by using a fabric softener. All you need to do is add some to your wash cycle in quantities as instructed by the brand and voila.
Check out my post about the Best 7 Anti-Static Fabric Softeners.
Is There a Homemade Alternative to Store Bought Fabric Softener?
Yes, it is possible for you to make your own fabric softener at home using easy-to-obtain ingredients.
You will find lots of different recipes detailing how to make your own homemade fabric softener but the core ingredients that will give you that anti-static effect remain the same.
Let’s look at one inventive recipe to make your very own fabric softener at home:
Ingredients
- Epsom salts ½ cup
- Warm water 1 cup
- Baking soda 1 cup
- White vinegar 6 cups
- Essential oils as needed
Instructions
- Mix your epsom salt crystals with the water in a bowl.
- Stir the crystals until they dissolve in the warm water.
- Add in essential oils for pleasant smells.
- Now grab a large container in which you will store your fabric softener.
- Add in 1 cup of baking soda to the empty container.
- Next, slowly pour in your vinegar.
- Mix the two until they are evenly combined.
- Lastly, add your crystal solution to the container.
- Put the lid on and give the mixture a good shake.
- You can use this solution for anti static purposes by adding half a cup to each load of laundry in the washer.
Can I Use Dryer Sheets to Prevent Static Build Up?
If you are looking to prevent the buildup of charges during the drying cycle, then dryer sheets are the way to go. These are easily available at the supermarket along with fabric softener and are super easy to use. All you have to do is chuck on in the dryer with your laundry load!
Is There a Homemade Alternative to Store Bought Dryer Sheets?
Just like fabric softener, it is also possible for you to make your very own homemade dryer sheets. Here is how:
Ingredients
- Fabric softener 1 cup
- Warm water 3 cups
- Fabric as needed
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the water and the liquid fabric softener.
- Place your reusable fabric squares in an empty container that you can use for storage purposes.
- Pour the mixture onto the fabric pieces.
- Allow them to soak. You can help the process by lidding the container and shaking it around a bit.
- Add a sheet to the dryer each time you load it up with laundry.
You can read more about it in my post – How to make Anti-Static dryer sheets at home.
What is the Best DIY Home Remedy for Anti Static Clothes?
The best and simplest way to prevent static build-up on your clothes is to simply skip out on dyeing in the automatic dryer. Instead, you can choose to air dry your clothes.
Layout your clothes on a flat surface or hang them up on a clothesline in an area that has lots of sunlight or wind flow while they are still damp. The air will slowly dry the clothes without any static.
The most effective DIY home remedy for anti-static clothes, however, is a homemade anti-static spray. The good thing about anti static sprays is that they are extremely convenient to use.
There is no prior preparation required. All you have to do is spray a few squirts onto your clothes before or even after you have put them on. This makes them the optimum solution for on-the-go situations.
How to Make an Anti Static Spray?
Here is a simple recipe you can use to make your very own anti static spray at home:
Ingredients
- Water 1 cup
- Fabric softener 2 tbsp
- Essential oils few drops
Instructions
- Grab an empty spray bottle.
- Pur in the water.
- Add the liquid fabric softener.
- If you want, you can also add a few drops of fragrance or essential oils to make it smell pretty.
- Shake the bottle to mix the substances together homogeneously.
- Lightly spray the solution over your clothes or other fabrics to rid them of static cling.
Can I Buy Anti Static Spray?
Sure! If you would rather use pre-made anti-static spray, you will find a lot of options available for you in online and local stores. These are ready to be used and sprayed whenever you need and are just as effective as the homemade stuff.
Which Anti Static Spray is the Best to Purchase?
If you are looking for some anti static spray to purchase, here are some of the best options that you have at your disposal:
Downy Wrinkle Releaser Spray
Downy Wrinkle Spray all-in-one solution not only rids your clothes from wrinkles but also provides effective anti-static protection. It can be used on all kinds of fabrics, including car seats, couches, tablecloths, bedsheets, and even fancy clothing.
Static Schmatic
A travel-sized solution for all your travel-related static cling problems, Static Schmatic is an all-natural anti-static solution that does not leave behind any residue, scent, or evidence of ever being there. It does, however, remove all static charges from the surface.
Static Guard
Static Guard is one of the most popular and trusted brands when it comes to anti static products. Their static cling spray is one of the most effective that you will find anywhere. All you have to do is spray it onto your fabric and it instantly removes all static ling. It also prevents the build-up of static charge. In addition to being extremely effective, it is also quite affordable which makes it a great option in the long run.
Can you Wash Anti Static Clothes?
You can absolutely wash your clothes once you have made them anti-static. You will have to, however, use your anti-static solution again to regain that effect. Using the likes of fabric softener and damp clothes during the washing and drying process certainly helps make the process less implicated in producing static cling on your clothes.
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