There is something quite comforting about enveloping yourself in clothes freshly out of the dryer. They are super soft, clean, and warm, and make you feel fresh and relaxed. Unfortunately, one of the worst experiences is when you put on a sweater and end up shocking yourself into alarm.
This can even happen when you come in contact with certain items around you or even certain people. Why exactly does this happen? And how can you counteract it?
In this article, we will cover all of these burning questions as well as discuss some of the best approaches you can take when it comes to anti-static options for your dryer.
What is the Best Natural Anti Static Solution for Laundry?
The best natural way to combat the issue of static cling is to simply avoid using dryers. As the fabric tumbles around in the body of the dryer, it produces a lot of friction.
The added effect of the heat and the incredibly dry, non-humid environment with the friction between the fabrics rubbing against each other and the metallic frame produces a lot of static charges.
These charges remain accumulated on the garments and when you put them on, they either cling to your skin or shock you.
On the other hand, when you leave your laundry out to dry in the open air- either indoors or outdoors- you cut down on the static cling significantly. Just make sure that the clothes are not rubbing up against each other.
However, if hanging your clothes dry is not an option for you or if it just takes too long for your convenience, then you will be happy to know that there many natural ways you can eliminate static buildup on your laundry.
Are Store Bought Dryer Sheets Effective?
Yes. For most people, store bought dryer sheets is the first option that comes to mind when they think of eliminating static cling from their fresh laundry.
These are soft, breathable sheets that contain a substance that releases positive ions.
These ions strive to balance out the negative charges on the fabrics, thereby reducing the buildup and static cling.
In addition to that, it also contains many chemicals and synthetic fragrances that are supposed to leave your clothes smelling fresh, clean, and generally pleasant.
Can I Make Dryer Sheets at Home?
Absolutely! You can make your very own dryer sheets at home if you want to opt for a more natural alternative. If you want to know how exactly you can make your very own dryer sheets at home, refer to this detailed guide that I have previously written on the subject.
I have also explored how anti-static dryer sheets work before. You can read more about the mechanism over here.
Does Fabric Softener Help With Static Cling?
Not only does fabric softener improve the quality of your cloth material, but it also serves to reduce the production of static charges. In fact, you can make reusable dryer sheets by dousing washcloths in fabric softener and adding them to your dryer loads.
How Do I Make My Own Fabric Softener?
Yes! It is possible for you to make your very own fabric softener in case you do not have some available right away or are looking for a more natural alternative.
The secret ingredient here is vinegar. Not only does vinegar help cut down on static cling, but it also serves to make your fabric softener.
Here is a simple recipe you can use to make your very own fabric softener at home using some vinegar:
Ingredients:
- Vinegar 6 cups
- Baking Soda 1 cup
- Essential Oil 15 drops
Instructions:
- Pour out your vinegar in a large bowl.
- Add the essential oils if they are available. This step is optional. Essential oils help add fragrance to the mixture.
- Now add the baking soda.
- Allow the fizz to settle down.
- Store the mixture in a tight jar or container.
- You can use this liquid as fabric softener in subsequent laundry loads. We recommend using around 1 cup per load.
Why is it Better to Use Homemade Fabric Softener and Dryer Sheets?
The simple answer is because it is more natural. If you have been a consistent user of store bought fabric softeners, you may very well be aware of the synthetic smell they tend to leave behind on the fabric.
This is because these store-bought laundry products contain a lot of chemical products that are not always the best for the integrity of your fabric or for you.
Using natural alternatives is always the preferable approach, especially if these methods are just as effective. By using homemade dryer sheets and fabric softener, you can save yourself and your garments from unnecessary chemical exposure.
What is the Easiest Solution When it Comes to Using Vinegar for Static?
Speaking of vinegar, the easiest and simplest way to use the substance to avail its anti-static effect is to simply use it directly. That is right- you can use vinegar in your dryer to eliminate static cling from your laundry. All you need is a piece of cloth- such as an old garment that you no longer use or a washcloth.
Douse this piece of fabric in some vinegar and then add it to your laundry load when you put it in the dryer. This will help reduce the buildup of static on your clothes.
Will My Clothes End Up Smelling Like Vinegar?
One major concern that you may have regarding using vinegar for its anti static properties is that it may cause all of your laundry to end up smelling like your kitchen cabinet.
Fortunately, you will be glad to know that it is not the case.
After your laundry has dried up, the smell of vinegar will become undetectable, imparting its anti-static effect and then disappearing without a trace left behind. So you can safely and confidently use vinegar in your dryer.
Does Vinegar Leave Behind a Residue on Fabrics?
Another concern that people have with using vinegar is that it may leave behind some kind of stain or residue on the fabric if it soaks through.
That is also not the case in actuality. Vinegar evaporates pretty quickly and does not leave behind any residue on the fabric which means that it is completely safe to use with all kinds of garments.
What are Natural Dryer Balls and Can I Use Them?
Another option when it comes to reducing static cling from your laundry in the dryer is by using wool dryer balls. These are premade balls that are available for purchase online and at your local store.
These special woolen balls have the ability to absorb moisture. So when you place them inside your dryer with the wet laundry, it moves the water content to the environment, making it more humid and discouraging friction which can lead to the buildup of static charge.
What Can I Do to Save Myself from Static?
If you are looking to implement personal precautions to save yourself from static charge, the best and easiest way to do it is to keep your skin moisturized. This is because dry skin has a net positive charge.
Considering static electricity typically comprises negative charges, it is easy to understand why this is a problem. The drier your skin is, the easier it is for the charge to travel and cause you to shock yourself. Not only that, but it also causes the fabric of your garments to stick uncomfortably to your skin.
Using moisturizer before you put on garments removed from the dryer should certainly help reduce the effects of static cling to your person. An effective trick is to turn your garment inside out and then rub your moisturized hands over the material to cut down on the static cling even more.
