How To Get Rid Of Static In Clothes (2023)

I live in a very dry state, so I’ve had to learnhow to get rid of static in clothes, hair, furniture upholstery — you name it! Static electricity isn’t necessarily harmful, but it can be a very annoying laundry problem (not to mention a potentially painful one!)

No one wants to deal with clothing catastrophes like clingy clothes or frizzy hair, and the good news is that you don’t have to! Not only are there ways to prevent static cling from becoming an issue in the first place, but there are also a few easy ways to remove static from clothes and other surfaces.

You’ll find tips for both preventing and eliminating static in this post!

What Causes Static Cling?

Static cling typically forms in your dryer during final minutes of the drying cycle, when friction between dry fabrics produces an electrostatic charge. Static electricity builds easily in dry air, which is why static cling tends to be more of an issue during the winter when cold temperatures keep humidity low.

So how do you reduce the static inside your dryer? Consider these 8 simple solutions for preventing static!

8 Tips To Prevent Static Cling

1. Don’t Dry Your Clothes Completely

The easiest and most obvious way to prevent static cling from forming is by taking your clothes out of the dryer before they are completely dry. Many dryers have “damp dry,” “iron dry,” or “less dry” option that will stop the cycle while your clothes are still a bit damp. (If your dryer doesn’t offer any of these features, you can always stop it manually a few minutes before the cycle is done!)

Either way, keeping your dryer more humid will help prevent static cling and reduce your energy costs too! (Another bonus of using the damp dry cycle? Fewer wrinkles in your clothes!)

2. Add Baking Soda To Your Washer

Baking soda can be used in an incredible number of ways, including to prevent static in clothes. Adding half a cup of baking soda to your washing machine helps cut down on free electrons that can cause static electricity to build. (Washing your clothes with baking soda will also eliminate odors and soften garments!)

3. Separate Fabrics Before Drying

Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon are more prone to static cling buildup than natural fabrics like cotton. You can use this information to your advantage by drying your clothes made from natural and synthetic materials separately.

4. Air Dry Your Clothes

Never underestimate the benefits of air drying your laundry on a rack or line! As I’ve mentioned, tumble dryers are a major contributor to static buildup, and drying your clothes flat or hanging them to dry eliminates troublesome friction from the equation.(Drying your clothes on an indoor drying rack is also a great alternative to running a humidifier!)

5. Use Dryer Balls

There’s a reason why using dryer balls is one of my favorite frugal laundry hacks! In addition to reducing drying time and softening fabrics, wool dryer balls also absorb some of the moisture coming off your clothes as they dry. This can help maintain humidity in your dryer as the cycle progresses.

If you continue to experience static cling while using dryer balls, here are a couple of solutions that can help:

• Get Them Wet. Dip one or two of your dryer balls in water before starting your dryer to increase humidity and reduce static formation.
• Add Safety Pins. Pinning one or two metal safety pins to yourdryer balls can help prevent static by attracting those pesky extra electrons and discharging them as the pins make contact with the dryer drum.

6. Use A Humidifier

It’s not just the humidity inyour dryer that can influence static cling — the humidity of your laundry room (and the rest of your house) can play a role too! You can help keep static at bay by running ahumidifier in your laundry room while your dryer is running.

Also, one of the many benefits of houseplants is that they can also addmoisture your indoor air. (Not that plant lovers need an excuse to bring home more plants!)

7. Use Liquid Fabric Softener

To prevent static cling, it’s better to use fabric softener liquid rather than dryer sheets and other formats. Liquid fabric softeners will help add moisture to the fibers of your clothes. I use a homemade liquid fabric softener that’s both highly affordable and helps reduce static cling!

8. Prevent Static Buildup In Hair

Dry hair is just as prone to static buildup as dry clothing, especially if friction from blankets, hats, and scarves is also a factor. Use moisturizing conditioners and hair masks to keep your hair hydrated. (A spritz of hairspray or a small dab of a homemade moisturizing salvecan also help!)

For cases when it’s too late prevent static cling from happening, you’ll find effective ways to get rid of static cling below!

How To Get Rid Of Static In Clothes: 4 Easy Tips

1. Use A Metal Hanger

Those pesky electrons that are responsible for the static charge on your clothes can be swept away with the help of a conductor, like a metal hanger. Just rub the flat part of a wire hanger over your outfit to get static out of clothes. Much better!

2. Moisturize Your Skin

Static forms in dry environments, and if your skin itself is dry, that certainly isn’t helping matters! Adding moisture to your skin by slathering on some body lotion will help cut down on static.

3. Swipe Your Clothes With A Dryer Sheet

While I normally use myhomemade dryer sheets in my actual dryer, I do keep a few store-bought sheets on hand for static cling emergencies! Dryer sheets contain anti-static agents, so you can quickly swipe one over yourself to get rid of static from your clothes — even if you’re already wearing them!

4. Wipe Your Clothes With Wet Hands Or A Damp Cloth

If the clothes you’re wearing start clinging to you when you’re out of the house, getting them a bit damp is a quick and easy way to dispel static on the go. Lightly wet your hands and run them over your clothes, or use a damp cloth.

BONUS: More Anti-Static Tips

Eliminate Static On Upholstery With A Fabric Softener Spray

Add about an ounce of fabric softener to one quart of water, then pour the diluted softener solution into a spray bottle. Spritz your fabric softener spray over upholstered furniture, carpets, and even drapes — wherever static cling occurs around the house. (This works great on car upholstery too!)

Alternatively, you can make an anti-static spray using dryer sheets. Just put three dryer sheets in a spray bottle, fill it with warm water, then wait for 15 minutes before discarding the dryer sheets. Then your spray will be ready to use!

Use Aluminum Foil To Remove Static From Hair

A small piece of aluminum foil makes it easy to tame staticky hair. Just swipe the foil over your hair to whisk away free electrons and stop static electricity from building.

Do you have any tips or tricks to get rid of static from clothing?