There are numerous ways to tackle this problem.
In the colder months we not only suffer from static hair more often, but our clothes also have to deal with it from time to time. Nothing more annoying than that crackling outfit, but luckily rescue is near! With these tips you will never suffer from static clothing again.
1. Grab a metal clothes hanger
Just before you put on your sweater, thread a metal clothes hanger through the inside of your sweater. The metal discharges, the static charge disappears, and you can then go outside without any shock. Don’t have a metal clothes hanger? You can achieve the same effect with another metal object.
Do you only notice that you are statically charged when you are already wearing your outfit? Then hold the metal clothes hanger (or another metal object) between your skin and your clothing.
2. Touch grounded metal
Any piece of metal that goes directly into the ground should be shockproof. Think of a radiator, water tap or a metal fence. Tip: just touch this with a sleeve around your hand, for example, to save you a lot of scolding and a lot of swearing.
3. Put on leather shoes
Leather shoes (preferably with leather soles) keep you grounded. Leather ensures that electrical charges do not build up as easily as with rubber shoes and soles.
4. Metal details
Metal discharges and prevents you from getting a shock if you touch something that conducts. For example, put a metal pin in a seam or seam on the inside of your clothing so that no one will see it. For a stylish twist you can also opt for a beautiful brooch. Do you think a safety pin is too dangerous and brooches aren’t your thing? Then put another metal object in your pocket, such as a thimble. By having the thimble in your pocket you will reduce the build-up of static electricity and you will notice that your clothes will stick less to your skin.
5. Spray hairspray or fabric softener
Hairspray not only keeps your hair in shape, but also your clothes. Hold the canister a foot (about an arm’s length) or more away from your clothes – you don’t want your clothes to stay as tight as your hairstyle, of course. Spray a thin layer on the inside of your clothes. This also helps perfectly against static hair.
No hairspray at hand? Fill a plant spray with a small amount of fabric softener (10%) and fill the rest with water (90%). Spray this on the parts of your clothing that stick most quickly to your skin, especially on the inside: that’s where the fabric rubs against your skin and that creates the static charge. Bonus: your clothes will smell nice like fabric softener. Or hairspray, that is.
6. Wash and adjust
Would you like to preventively discharge your clothes? You can do this by washing your clothes with a dash of vinegar or a piece of silver foil. If there’s one thing that makes your clothes static, it’s the dryer. Simply let your clothes dry on a clothes rack: this will immediately save on your energy bill. With these two small adjustments you will soon be shockingly shock-free.
7. Use an anti-static dryer sheet
Rub your static clothing with an anti-static dryer sheet. Both on the outside and on the inside. If you do this correctly, the static charge should have been transferred to the cloth.
8. Water sprayer
Spray some water on the outside of your dress, where you feel your outfit sticking to your skin. This helps to remove static charge quickly. Do not spray too much, it must be allowed to dry. You don’t want to enter somewhere with wet spots. Once dry, the static charge also stays away.
9. Anti-static spray
You’ve probably never heard of it, but you can buy this spray online for about €20/30. Just spray a few times on the outside in the places where the fabric sticks, and problem solved.
10. Hydrate your skin
Apply a little moisturizing body lotion to your skin to prevent your skin from becoming statically charged. And then nothing sticks. This is especially useful if your outfit only sticks in a few places.
11. Put your tights in the freezer for a while
This not only ensures that your tights last longer, but also reduces static charge. Half an hour is sufficient.
12. Wear clothes made of natural fibers
Synthetic fibers are more susceptible to static charge. Natural fibers retain moisture more easily and since dryness and friction are a breeding ground for static charges, a natural fiber is ideal if you want to go through life shock-free!
