Static cling can be frustrating and possibly even embarrassing—no one wants to leave the house with an extra sock clinging to their pant leg.
We've gathered 10 tried and true methods to quickly remove static from clothes and prevent clothes static from forming in the first place.
Static Removal Methods
When in a pinch, these are some methods to remove static from clothes out of the dryer.
Damp Microfiber Cloth
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Dampen a lint-free microfiber cloth with water and wring it until it is not dripping. Start at the top of the garment and wipe down the surface. The water will neutralize the charge that causes the fabric to cling. If possible, do this as the garment hangs so you can reach all surfaces.
Try Misting
You can also fill a spray bottle with plain water and lightly mist the garment to remove static. Simply allow enough time for the garment to dry before wearing.
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Dryer Sheet
Turn the garment inside out and use a new dryer sheet to wipe down the fabric. The dryer sheet is coated with fabric softeners that balance the positive and negative electrons in the fabric to reduce excess static.
Do not rub the sheet over the outside of the fabric because it can leave streaks and spots.
Steam Cycle
If your dryer has a steam cycle, toss the clingy clothes in for a few minutes. If there is no steam setting, add a couple of ice cubes to the clothes and tumble them on high heat for no more than five minutes.
Remove the garments and hang them to air dry before wearing them to reduce wrinkling.
Wire Hanger or Aluminum Foil Ball
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A metal item can transfer the static charge from the fabric to the metal. This can be an uncoated wire hanger, ball of aluminum foil, or a metal baking sheet. Simply pass the metal item between the layers of fabric or between your clothes and your body.
Anti-static Spray
Commercial anti-static sprays add moisture and ingredients that help electrostatic charges dissipate. Follow the label usage directions and always test in a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it does not discolor the fabric.
Skin Lotion
If the fabric is cling directly to your arms or legs, apply some moisturizing lotion to your skin. The lotion increases the surface humidity of your skin helping to break the electrostatic bond with the fabric.
Prevention Methods
If static cling really bothers you, there are some steps you can take to try and prevent it from happening in the first place.
Fabric Softener or Dryer Sheet
Both fabric softener and a dryer sheet leave a coating on fabrics that helps reduce static cling by balancing the positive and negative charges in fabrics.
Wool Dryer Balls
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As dryers tumble between the layers of fabric, wool dryer balls help minimize static by keeping the clothes from rubbing together and creating static.
Sorting Laundry
If you didn't sort the load by fabric type before washing, you can still help prevent static cling by sorting it before tossing it in the dryer.
Synthetic fabrics such as nylon and polyester retain electric charges longer than natural fibers such as wool or cotton creating more static. Dry them separately for a shorter period to help reduce static cling.
Keep an Eye on Moisture
Always use the moisture sensorsettingon the dryer to avoid over-drying.
Air-Dry Laundry
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Hanging laundry to air dry helps prevent static because there is no friction between the fabrics to contribute to static electricity. Air-drying laundry will add humidity to the air in your home, helping to lessen the effects of static electricity.
Why Does Static Happen?
Whether in your laundry room or a stormy sky, static electricity occurs when there is an imbalance of electrical charges. In our home, when materials rub together, they exchange charges. The result is fabrics with a slight excess of positive or negative charge, or static.
The most common cause of clothing static is the use of an automatic dryer. The tumbling action creates friction between the fabrics and transfers electrons creating an imbalance of electrical charges, either positive or negative. Once the cycle stops, these charged fabrics attract each other and produce static cling.
Static is usually worse in the winter or in climates with low humidity because water molecules in the air redistribute the extra electrons and neutralize the materials.
