Everyone has had to observe how, when getting out of the car, when taking off clothes, a spark jumps between the body and objects and a tingling sensation is felt. Thus, static electricity manifests itself, caused by the accumulation of opposite charges on items of clothing. The size of the spark can be quite large, and the electric shocks can be noticeable and unpleasant. The fact is that the potential difference (voltage) on clothing reaches several thousand volts. Let this figure not scare anyone - the current power is negligible and static cannot cause any harm other than small pricks in the finger. It’s another matter when the discharge occurs at a gas station. At a certain concentration of gasoline or gas vapor, the mixture can ignite from the slightest spark. You can watch the refueling tank. A metal chain runs down the back of the car to remove static charge when the metal rubs against the ground.
Causes of static electricity
Many people remember school experiments in physics, when, after rubbing a plastic rod with a woolen cloth, these things became electrified and could cause a spark and attract small objects. The same principle of static accumulation occurs when wearing clothes. Things made from natural materials (silk, wool) are often and strongly electrified when in contact with completely synthetic fabrics.
From the same physics it is known that water conducts electricity well, so damp clothes never become electrified. This does not happen in wet weather either. Moisture on clothing and in the air causes charges to be distributed evenly throughout all items, without causing a build-up of static electricity.
Things are most electrified in dry weather, especially in winter when there is severe frost. All lovers of natural fur coats know this after traveling in a car with synthetic seat upholstery.
Ten ways to quickly get rid of electrification
- Lift up the dress or skirt and the inside of the hem, and wipe with an antistatic wipe. The top of the product or blouse should also be wiped from the inside with this napkin;
- A spray bottle of water is an effective remedy against electrification. Lightly spray the desired area, do not spray too much water, otherwise it will leave a wet spot on the clothes! When the water dries, polyester, natural silk or other fabric will no longer be electrified;
- You can add a few drops of fabric softener to a spray bottle of water to enhance the effect. Lightly spray the desired areas of clothing and iron the garments from the inside. If you're wearing tights, apply conditioner to your hands and run over them;
- You can also use water and a few tablespoons of fabric softener in a spray bottle. This product is used for both clothing and carpets;
- Wet your hands with water and iron your dress or blouse. To enhance the effect, add a teaspoon of salt to the water. This method will also help smooth out wrinkled areas of clothing;
- Run a bar of soap over the inside of your clothing or tights;
- The areas of the skin to which polyester or synthetics stick most are lubricated with a moisturizing body lotion or cream without fragrance or baby powder. Such products retain moisture on the skin, so things become electrified and stick less. But this method is not suitable if the product is completely electrified;
- If a silk or synthetic product becomes electrified, a classic antistatic spray will help. Spray the product at a distance of 20-30 centimeters from the fabric. It is advisable to perform the procedure on the balcony or in the fresh air, since this spray has a sharp and persistent unpleasant odor;
- If the skirt or hem of the dress sticks to the tights, treat only the underside of the clothing with an antiseptic. Do not spray the product on both tights and things, otherwise they will stick to each other even more;
- Instead of an antistatic agent, you can use hairspray, as it also contains antistatic agents. Spray the can at a distance of 30 centimeters from the clothing. Make sure that the varnish does not accidentally get into your eyes or face!
Why and how to remove static from clothes
Static tension must and can be combated successfully. Sparks and tingling are not all problems. Electrified things stick to the body and attract dust. A good way to remove static electricity from clothes is to use special antistatic sprays. The substances contained in the spray prevent electricity from forming on tissues, evenly distributing opposite charges. The spray is applied in advance, three to four hours before going out, and it will do its job until the next wash. To avoid the risk of stains, spray antistatic agent onto the lining of your clothing. You cannot spray several wardrobe items at the same time! You can get the exact opposite effect.
Not everyone can use this method. Alcohol-based substances have a persistent, strong and unpleasant odor, and water-based ones can cause allergic reactions in people prone to this.
Luckily, there are home methods to avoid electricity buildup.
Long-term solution against electrification of blankets and bedspreads
Friction creates an electrical charge, which can cause clothing to crack when touched. It accumulates faster in winter than in summer. This is due to low humidity.
Statistical electricity is to a large extent one of the types of environmental pollution that appears during the production of various equipment and other products.
You can solve the problem with ordinary water and a spray gun, but the effect will not last long.
Hairspray is designed not only to fix the hairstyle, but also to combat static electricity. Therefore, its use will allow you to keep your hairstyle unchanged.
Traditional methods
Removing static and eliminating the accumulation of electricity without using chemicals is not a problem.
You can prevent charge accumulation by fulfilling the following conditions:
- Do not wear synthetic clothing. Natural materials do not collect static when rubbing against each other. Polyester in fabric composition is very highly electrified;
- Wear shoes with leather soles. Leather, unlike rubber, always has some moisture and allows accumulated charges to flow to the ground.
Only fabric that can conduct electric current is not electrified, that is, wet or containing a metallized thread - Lurex. All others are capable of accumulating charge to a greater or lesser extent.
The main enemy of static is moisture and metal. So, to rid yourself of unpleasant sensations, you can do the following:
- If the dress becomes electrified and begins to stick to your legs and arms, then before putting it on or tights, apply a moisturizing lotion or cream to your body. Wet skin will prevent the charge from accumulating;
- Run wet hands over clothing. Of course, be aware that some fabrics may stain;
- An ordinary safety pin will help remove static from clothes. Pin it to the inside of the robe. There is no mysticism here, the pin removes the charge and prevents it from accumulating. The main thing is to know how and where to attach it. It's not just about the metal. Keys to a car or apartment, change in pockets are also metal, but they have no effect. The pin on the clothing should ensure contact with the skin or other item of clothing, from friction with which electricity accumulates. A convenient place is the seam on the inside of the collar in the area where the product tag is attached. There it is invisible and there is contact with the neck.
- To get rid of static for a long time, wash clothes with the addition of fabric softener or fabric softener;
- If there is no conditioner, when washing things, add a quarter cup of baking soda or 50 ml of table vinegar. Add vinegar at the end of washing before rinsing;
- In extreme cases, a folk method such as spraying hairspray on the lining of outerwear will help. You need to spray from a distance of at least 30 cm and wait until it dries!
What to do to prevent clothes and textiles from becoming electrified
The simplest and most effective thing is to buy an antistatic agent and not suffer. But what to do if it is not at hand and there is no time to run to the store. It is for such cases that our article is intended. There are several options that will help you 100%.
Increase in humidity
If your favorite blanket, fluffy pillow or soft toys, instead of warming and delighting you, shock you, then this speaks of one thing. The air in your apartment is too dry. Increase indoor humidity. Use any of these methods:
- buy a humidifier;
- ventilate the room more often, do wet cleaning;
- place vessels with water in different corners of the room;
- rub a damp cloth over the surface of a blanket or piece of furniture.
All these simple techniques will prevent static electricity from accumulating.
Moisturizing lotion
Do not forget that electrification occurs when two surfaces rub together. If the first is things, then the second is our body. Rub the moisturizing lotion onto the area of your body where the fabric sticks particularly strongly. This method is well suited if a specific piece of fabric has been exposed to static.
Baby powder
Baby powder does the job better than lotion. But there is one significant drawback. It leaves marks on clothes. Therefore, you need to act carefully. Sprinkle a little powder on your hands, and then gently rub into the skin where the static is located.
Add baking soda to washing powder
Before putting your dress or sweater in the washing machine, be sure to read the washing instructions. If they can't be machine washed or tumble dried, you better listen. Even the most gentle mode can ruin the fabric.
If the label “gives the go-ahead,” then add a little soda to the powder before washing. It will help partially remove the electrification of the tissue. When drying in the dryer, you should place an antistatic cloth inside the item while it is still damp.
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Walking barefoot and touching metal
A little unobvious advice on how to get rid of static electricity at home, but it should help. If you walk around the apartment barefoot for a while before putting on clothes, you can reduce the electrification of the body. Just 15 minutes and the “sticky” dress will fit better. You can also ground yourself by touching any metal object.
Drying things in the doorway
Hang the thing that shocks you the most in the doorway. Let it dry in a drafty room with optimal humidity. This will simultaneously protect it from wrinkled folds and electrification.
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How to rid yourself of painful electric shocks
If all the measures taken did not bring success or they forgot to do something in a hurry and the clothes are electrocuted, then there are ways to painlessly remove the excess charge:
- Wearing mittens on your hands will reduce or eliminate the pain from the spark. As a last resort, pick up a coin and touch a metal object to relieve tension. On a note! The back of the hand has less sensitivity than the fingertips.
- When getting out of the car, you first need to grab the metal parts of the car body with your hand, and then put your foot on the ground. The accumulated charge will flow painlessly to the ground through the sole of the shoe. When the car is at a gas station, passengers should not be allowed to get out of the car, especially if they are wearing natural fur coats.
- An antistatic agent applied to the upholstery of a car will not harm even allergy sufferers, since there is practically no contact with bare skin. There are special antistatic wipes for car interiors on sale.
- Store clothes in the closet on metal hangers.
- Some people talk about the benefits of cotton insoles in shoes.
- Periodically spray your carpet or rug with fabric softener using a hand-held sprayer. Don't forget to wait for it to dry!
- If there is a dryer in the house and the clothes are dried in it, then three to four minutes before the end of the process you need to reduce the temperature to the minimum value and put a damp cloth inside the machine. Humidified air inside will prevent the formation of static electricity.
- Use a humidifier in your apartment. This is important during the heating season. At this time, air humidity is greatly reduced due to central heating.
How does static electricity affect humans?
Office equipment, computer equipment and various household appliances are sources of static electricity. This technique creates an electrostatic field - both the housings of these devices and microscopic dust particles that fall into the action area.
An object can create a static field on its own or receive one from another object after contact with it. In the second case, forced electrification or induction occurs.
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The resulting product is sprayed over clothing. Can be used for furniture and home textiles in the apartment.
Is an industrial antistatic agent evil?
At first glance, no. After all, it helps to “make friends” with synthetic products - to make sure that they do not stick to the body or each other, and do not “shoot” an electric current. For example, if a girl is wearing nylon tights and a synthetic skirt on top, such a problem cannot be avoided. After all, the surfaces of fabrics inevitably rub against our body or against each other during wear, accumulating electrical charges.
Antistatic agents consist of various chemical compounds based on alcohol or water. At the same time, they save not only clothes, but also upholstered furniture and carpeting from static. They also protect any hard surfaces from the accumulation of dust (after all, it is also attracted to them under the influence of electrical charges).
Antistatic agents are produced in the form of sprays, rinses, and pastes. The most popular and convenient of them is the spray. It is enough to spray it from the inside of the product - and the problem with electrification is solved.
But there is also the other side of the coin:
- The use of industrial antistatic agents is not always convenient or safe.
- Most of them have a strong, persistent odor. Therefore, the treated products themselves and the room in which the product was sprayed must be well ventilated.
- Items treated with antistatic agents must be washed and rinsed more thoroughly.
- The main disadvantage is that they are not suitable for everyone, as they can cause an allergic reaction. This can be especially dangerous for people with asthma.
The same applies to conditioners and rinse aids, which are added during washing of products. They have a very persistent aroma, which may also not be safe for allergy sufferers.
Secrets of proper rinsing of things
If your favorite products are electrified, then you need to pay due attention to washing and rinsing things. Proper rinsing will help you forget about the problem of electrification of clothes.
For rinsing, it is recommended to use folk remedies that are always on hand. You will need acetic acid, baking soda, and hair conditioner.
Following simple recommendations will help you avoid electrifying things:
- It is necessary to combine soda and acetic acid in one container in a ratio of 1 to 6. When rinsing things, add the mixture to water, you will be pleased with the effect. Using this rinsing method will eliminate soap stains, make the fabric soft, and eliminate the ability of items to accumulate static electricity.
- It is necessary to rinse the products in the following solution: mix hair balm with water and vinegar.
- When rinsing products, simply add citric acid to the water. Once the products are dry, sticking to the body will be a thing of the past.
- Mothers and grandmothers dealt with this problem in the following way: clothes need to be laid out on the floor, then you need to walk on them with bare feet. Such a simple manipulation will eliminate the problem of electrification.
Antistatic agent for washing clothes
Reducing the static effect at the stage of washing clothes will help get rid of problems with electrified fabric during wear. To do this, add the recommended amount of conditioner to the special compartment of the washing machine.
The finished composition can be purchased at the store or prepared independently. To eliminate electrostatics and soften the fabric, you can use vinegar, salt, soda, citric acid or hair balm.
Advice! The use of traditional methods is safer and no less effective. When using formulations purchased in a store, carefully read the instructions and act according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Having carefully studied the options for replacing store-bought antistatic agents, you can use them in any situation: at home or away. Simple ways to replace antistatic agents with improvised means will save you from trouble at an important event and wherever you are. Determine the best composition for yourself.
