7 WAYS TO REMOVE STATIC FROM CLOTHES & REDUCE STATIC CLING
If your socks are clinging to your sweater or you hear a snap and pop between fabrics when unloading laundry from the dryer, you know your garments have static cling. While there are ways to help remove static, there are also products that you can use in a wash or dry cycle to help reduce it.
This guide offers options for those wondering how to get rid of static in clothes, but always remember to check the care tag on your clothing before using any products.To learn more about different wash settings, water temperatures, fabrics and colors, check out these easy steps on how to do laundry.
WHAT CAUSES STATIC IN CLOTHES?
Static can occur when clothes rub together as they tumble dry. The friction between fabrics transfers electrons and creates an imbalance of electrical charges, either positive or negative. Once the cycle stops, these charged fabrics attract each other, causing static cling.
Keep in mind that certain factors such as colder weather with less humidity or drying synthetic fabrics like polyester can increase static.
HOW TO GET RID OF STATIC IN CLOTHES
If you hear familiar crackling sounds when taking clothes out of the dryer, you can give each item a couple of quick shakes to help reduce the static. To help prevent static, you can try a few different methods when adding garments to a wash or dry cycle, like using fabric softener or a dryer sheet.
Before applying any of the following methods, be sure to check your clothing care tag for specific instructions.
1. DRYER SHEETS
You can use dryer sheets to soften laundry and help reduce static by balancing the positive and negative charges in fabrics. As clothes tumble and rub together, heat releases softeners, fragrances and lubricants from the sheets, which coat the fabrics to help neutralize static.
Dryer sheets are ideal for natural fibers like cotton shirts, pants and socks but should be avoided with athletic wear, microfiber, towels, and flame-resistant or water-repellent fabrics. If you have fragrance or dye allergies, dryer sheets may cause skin reactions for sensitive individuals.
2. DRYER BALLS
Dryer balls help keep laundry from clumping together by tumbling between fabric layers and separating them in the dryer. As dryer balls move against fabrics, they help minimize static, reduce wrinkles and soften clothes. Dryer balls are typically made from tightly compressed wool, but can also be made of plastic or rubber.
3. FABRIC SOFTENER
When you use fabric softener in your wash, it coats and smooths garment fibers to help minimize static cling during a dryer cycle. Keep in mind that lubricants in the softener can leave a residue that may impact the performance of certain clothing, such as athletic wear, microfiber, towels, and flame-resistant or water-repellent fabrics. You may want to avoid using a fabric softener if you have a sensitivity to fragrances or dyes.
4. STEAM DRYING
A steam dryer works like a regular dryer as it uses hot air to dry clothes, but you can also select a steam cycle which uses hot, moist air or steam while drying. This can help neutralize static charges and reduce wrinkles.
5. REDUCE STATIC OPTION
Some dryers have steam-enhanced cycles and options that can help reduce static and wrinkles in clothing items. At the end of this cycle, your dryer will add a small amount of moisture while tumbling to help deter static cling.
6. SEPARATE LAUNDRY BY FABRIC TYPE
Before adding laundry to your dryer, you can sort garments by material to help minimize static cling, especially from synthetics. Fabrics like synthetic nylon and polyester can retain electric charges longer than natural fibers such as wool or cotton, so synthetic items tend to create more static.
7. AIR DRY
Allowing garments to air dry can help prevent static since the tumbling and friction in a dryer often contributes to a buildup of static electricity.
SHOP MAYTAG® DRYERS WITH REDUCE STATIC OPTIONS
Maytag brand offers dryers with a variety of convenient cycles and settings that you can tailor to your laundry needs. Select models have features with steam-enhanced cycles like the Reduce Static Option that adds a fine mist of water as clothes tumble at the end of the cycle.
HOW TO REMOVE STATIC FROM CLOTHES WITHOUT WASHING
To remove static without washing the item, lightly dampen your garment with water using a spray bottle to help dissipate the charge. Moisturizing your skin also helps, as dry skin can increase static buildup. Keeping your skin hydrated can reduce friction between fabrics and skin, to help minimize static cling.
HOW TO REMOVE STATIC FROM CLOTHES WHILE WEARING THEM
If you’re wearing clothes that have static, you can rub a dryer sheet or a damp cloth on your garment to help neutralize the charge. You can also use a metal object like a clothes hanger or aluminum foil to try to discharge the static. Simply rub it along your article of clothing, especially on the area where static is occuring. Applying static-reducing spray might help as well because it can create a barrier to stop static buildup. Check all labels first, to make sure a static spray is safe for your garment.
HOW TO REMOVE STATIC CLING FROM POLYESTER
Synthetic fabrics like polyester tend to attract static cling more than clothing made from a natural material such as cotton. You can use fabric softener in the wash to help prevent static buildup and consider air drying polyester items.
When trying to remove static from a freshly washed polyester garment, you can rub the fabric with a dryer sheet or lightly mist it with water. You can also use a static-reducing spray or run a metal object like a hanger along the fabric to try to help discharge the static.
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