Static electricity in clothing can cause your clothes to stick to your body, which can be embarrassing in some cases. This is most noticeable when wearing wool or polyester clothing in the winter. Using the tumble dryer to dry your clothes can also produce static electricity.

This electrostatic charge in fabrics can become a source of concern over time, especially if your wardrobe is affected.

There are several methods for removing static from clothing; some are short-term solutions, while others are long-term. This article will cover nine fast and easy methods for removing static from your clothes.

What Causes Static in Clothes?

Static electricity is created when clothes rub together in a dry environment. That is why the dryer is the leading cause of static electricity in clothes, as it rubs the clothes against each other in a dry environment, generating static electricity.

But as you read the rest of the article, you’ll see that there are several ways to stop static electricity from building up in the dryer.

How Can You Prevent the Formation of Static in Clothes?

There are several things you can do to prevent static electricity from forming on clothing, as we will see in this article.

Fabric softeners can be used during washing to soften the fabric and prevent static electricity formation, and vinegar can be used during rinsing, which has also been shown to be effective in preventing static electricity in clothes.

Another method that most people overlook is hanging clothes to dry rather than using dryers because dryers have been proven to be a major source of static electricity in clothing.

9 Fast and Easy Ways to Get Rid of Static in Clothes

If you frequently use dryers to dry your clothes, causing friction that generates static charges, then this is for you. The methods presented below have been tested and shown to be extremely effective, inexpensive, and simple to implement. Relax as we go over the various methods for removing static from your clothes.

1.  Air-dry Your Clothes to Get Rid of Static in Clothes

You can avoid static electricity in your clothes by simply hanging them outside to dry. Aside from saving the electrical energy that the dryer would normally use to dry your clothes, you are also contributing to environmental safety.

Air drying your clothes effectively removes static cling and makes your clothes smell fresh and nice.

Furthermore, hanging your clothes to dry indoors helps increase humidity levels, reducing the possibility of static electricity forming in the clothes.

2. Using a Metal Hanger to Get Rid of Static in Clothes

Metals are conductors by nature, so when a metal hanger comes into contact with any static-laden cloth, the static discharges into the metal hanger due to its high conductivity.

As a result, it is critical that you glide them against a metal hanger before storing them to remove any static electricity after washing and drying your clothes.

Metal hangers are very effective in removing static electricity from clothing. They are also easy to use and don’t cost much money.

3.   Downy fabric softener and dryer sheet to Get Rid of Static in Clothes

Downy is another best option if you want to stop static electricity from developing in the first place. The product is available in several varieties, but only two are relevant for this study: a Downy fabric conditioner and a Downy dryer sheet.

A Downy fabric conditioner is used during the washing process to lubricate the fabrics and prevent friction that causes static electricity. In contrast, a Downy dryer sheet is used in the dryer during the drying process to prevent static electricity from forming.

It is worth noting that the Downy dryer sheet is thrown into the dryer while the clothes are still wet, not after they have dried.

Downy products are available in most supermarkets and are reasonably priced. They are easy to use and very effective at preventing static electricity from forming in clothing.

4. Humidifier to Get Rid of Static in Clothes

Because dry air promotes static electricity in clothing, humidifying the air in your home can help eliminate the breeding ground for static electricity, especially if your home is filled with toys and electronics. A humidifier is a device that adds moisture to the air at a rate that prevents dryness in the home.

There are numerous humidifiers on the market, all of which serve the same purpose: to combat static electricity and moisturize dry skin.

Aside from removing static from clothing, humidifiers can be beneficial in various ways, including assisting people who suffer from cracked lips, dry throat, and allergies, among others. To achieve moisturized air, some people put their clothes in the freezer for a while to eliminate static.

5.  Anti-static Spray to Get Rid of Static in Clothes

When choosing an anti-static spray, keep your clothes’ safety in mind. Most sprays are labeled as safe for all fabrics; however, it is recommended that you test the product on a small, hidden spot on your cloth to ensure that you do not cause any damage, such as color change, especially when dealing with delicate materials such as silk.

Most anti-static sprays are designed to do more than just reduce static electricity; they can also remove wrinkles.

We recommend three types of anti-static spray for this study because they have been analyzed and verified to be effective in removing static from clothes. They are dual-purpose products such as Downy Wrinkle Releaser, Real Simple Clean, and Static Guard.

It should be noted that Downy Wrinkle Releaser and Real Simple Clean are excellent at removing static electricity and wrinkles while also refreshing the cloth. Static Guard, on the other hand, eliminates static and prevents the formation of new static in the clothes.

6.   Hair Spray to Get Rid of Static in Clothes

Applying hairspray is a very effective way of removing static from your clothes. Even though the primary design of hairspray is to remove static from your hair, it works the same on your clothes. Hairspray is applied immediately before you wear your clothes so that the hairspray dissipates completely.

To avoid discoloration or staining of clothing, it should be tested before use. A quick spritz of hairspray underneath the cloth will suffice.

Likewise, when applying hairspray to a cloth, it is recommended that you stand some distance away from the cloth to avoid spraying a concentration that will be visible in the cloth, which may result in staining of the cloth.

There are different types of good hair sprays on the market, but we recommend aerosol hairsprays. This is because aerosol hairsprays make a finer mist, which makes them better for use in more places, like on fabrics, to get rid of static.

7.  Vinegar to Get Rid of Static in Clothes

Vinegar is a great natural fabric softener that can help prevent static buildup on clothing. As a fabric softener, a cup of vinegar is added to the rinse cycle to prevent the clothes from becoming stiff and causing the static current to form.

Vinegar is a multifunctional substance that can be used for various purposes; it effectively removes static electricity from clothing. It is non-toxic, but it is an excellent disinfectant that can be used to kill germs and bacteria.

Please remember that using vinegar to prevent static will only work if you use it while rinsing. Additionally, vinegar can aid in the removal of soap residue.

8.  Safety Pin to Get Rid of Static in Clothes

This is similar to the metal hanger option in which the accumulated charges are discharged using a conductor.

Similarly to gliding a metal hanger between your skin and your clothes, the safety pin is placed beneath the cloth so that the pin can touch your body and complete the discharge circuit.

This method is very effective against static because you don’t have to remove the cloth to use a metal hanger, hairspray, anti-static spray, or wash it with fabric softeners.

The safety pin will hold some charge to prevent static electricity from building up while the cloth is on you. However, any other small metal object, like a brooch, will suffice.

Many people use a metal hanger in conjunction with a safety pin. In other words, after gliding the cloth through with a metal hanger to discharge the accumulated static, a safety pin is fastened to prevent further static formation.

9.  Dryer Balls to Get Rid of Static in Clothes

Dryer balls are made of natural wool, contain no chemicals, are not toxic, and have no odor. Unlike most dryer sheets, they are environmentally and skin-friendly.

And, unlike some dryer sheets, dryer balls do not emit chemicals that may stain your clothes. They absorb moisture and keep the air damp and static-free when thrown into the dryer with loads of wet clothes.

Dryer balls are long-lasting and reduce wrinkles while cutting drying time by up to 40%. If you have sensitive skin, then this drying ball is a safer option because it will soften your laundry and, at the same time, cause no harm to your skin. This method is 100% effective in removing static from fabrics, with no risk of staining or discoloring your clothing.

Precautions

• Avoid putting too many clothes in the dryer at once. Even if you use dryer sheets and balls, limit the number of clothes you put in the dryer at a time. This reduces friction between the clothes and eliminates the possibility of static electricity formation.
• Always test the anti-static spray before using it. It is critical to test your anti-static spray before using it on a cloth. This is to avoid staining, particularly on white clothing; additionally, testing will allow you to ensure that it will not damage or permanently discolor your clothing.
• As much as possible, avoid skin contact with chemicals. Most of the chemicals used in fabric softeners have been linked to rashes and other skin problems when they come into contact with the skin.

It is a precautionary measure that, regardless of how safe a chemical is rated, it is always important to avoid skin contact with it, particularly on the face or eyes. Long-term exposure to certain chemicals can result in lifelong respiratory problems such as asthma.

• Always keep your chemicals in a secure location. Proper storage of your laundry chemicals is important. Leaving them carelessly after use may result in a home accident or, in some cases, chemical damage.

For example, if you use hydrogen peroxide that is normally stored in a dark container and then leave it in the presence of ultraviolet light, it may lose its potency. It is also safe for your children and pets if you keep your chemicals outside of their reach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There Static-free Clothing?

Yes, some fabrics do not discharge static electricity; such fabrics include chinos, cotton, button-downs, cardigans, field jackets, and leather. If you don’t want static in your clothes, use any of the above-mentioned fabric materials.

Which is Better, Dryer Sheets or Dryer Balls?

Dryer sheets and dryer balls serve the same purpose: they prevent static electricity from forming in the dryer. Dryer balls have the advantage of being made of natural wool, which is completely eco-friendly. On the other hand, some dryer sheets can help refresh the fabric.

Can Body Lotion Help with Static Cling?

The body lotion is a moisturizer for the skin. Applying it before dressing will increase the humidity on your skin’s surface layers, preventing fabrics from clinging to it. Rub the body lotion all over your body, especially your hands, legs, and hair, to create a barrier and prevent static electricity from accumulating.

Final Words

Static clothing can be extremely uncomfortable, especially when dressed for a special occasion. As a result, it is essential to understand what static is and how to avoid it becoming a source of concern for you. Knowing what types of clothes are static-proof will also help you choose your outfit, especially during the winter season.

This article successfully established nine simple and quick ways to remove static from your clothes. While some are preventive and some are remedial, all have been analyzed and verified to be effective against static electricity in clothing.

If you enjoyed our article or used any of the methods presented here, please share your experience with us. Also, if you have any comments, suggestions, or questions, please leave them in the comments section.