In This Post:
– Tips to Reduce Static Electricity
– What is Static Electricity?
– What Causes Static Electricity
Imagine turning a doorknob and getting a sudden shock that you have otherwise never experienced in your life!
In dry weather, typically during the winter season, there is a lot of static build-up that generates static electricity. So, you might observe your clothes often sticking to your skin, your hair getting frizzy and, often, standing in all directions if you take off a cloth cap or scarf after wearing it for a bit. And when you pet your cat, the fur sticks to your sweater. All of this occurs because of static electricity. Do you also face this problem and want to get rid of this uncomfortable feeling for good? If yes, then have a look at some of the best tips to reduce static electricity at home.
Smart Tips to Remove Static Electricity at Home
Static electricity is not downright dangerous, but it can be annoying. After all, nobody likes experiencing a mild electric shock every time they have to go past their bedroom door. But don’t worry as we have penned down some of the most useful hacks to reduce static electricity at home below:
- Wear cotton clothes
- Place a humidifier
- Keep indoor plants
- Try home-made anti-static spray
- Wear leather-soled shoes
- Run wet hands over doorknobs
- Use vinegar in your laundry
We will discuss each of these points separately but first, let’s understand what static electricity means.
What is Static Electricity?
There are quite a few things that lead to the generation of static electricity. In drier weather conditions, an electrostatic charge builds up and then discharges when you touch a conductor. Remember that popular science experiment from school? When you rub a balloon against your hair and stick it to a wall, it doesn’t come off. That is static electricity at work.
Apart from that science experiment, there are plenty of other things that can cause static electricity. Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of static electricity.
What Causes Static Electricity?
Simply put, static electricity is caused by an imbalance between negative and positive charges in an object. They are built up by rubbing certain materials against one another, which can then transfer negative charges or electrons. This is why when you touch a doorknob, you get a mild electric shock.
Some of the most common causes of static electricity are as follows:
- Take a walk on your carpet or any rug and then turn on the tap, or touch a doorknob and you will feel the zap!
- Comb your hair in a fast motion and you will feel your hair standing in mid-air
- In an office space, sitting in a dry environment, without any humidifier can cause static electricity to build up fast.
- When you wear a sweater or a shawl, it rubs against your clothes and creates friction, causing static electricity
- Similarly, blankets, woolen stuff can generate static electricity
- If you have pets at home, their fur can stick to your clothes due to static electricity
Static electricity is not really dangerous, but if you feel you are getting more electric shocks than usual, you should be careful around flammables – as it can cause a fire. There are plenty of tips to reduce static electricity at home. The best part is most of these hacks are affordable and easy. Let us discuss how to prevent static electricity.
Wear cotton clothes
Wearing cotton fabric or clothes made of natural fiber generates less static electricity. When driving a car or sitting in your office working on your laptop, if you are wearing woolen clothes or synthetic hats and polyester shirts can cause greater friction and generate static electricity.
A pro tip: Here is how to avoid static shock. In the winter season, if you have to wrap yourself with a shawl, then make sure you carry a metal coin or a metal key chain with you. Tap it each time you have to touch a door handle or a doorknob to avoid that unpleasant electric shock!
Place a humidifier
If you have a carpeted floor and you walk with your socks on, it can cause friction and you might feel a zap when you open a door. One of the best tips to reduce static electricity at home is to place a humidifier that can retain moisture in the room. If you can’t afford to have a humidifier, then don’t worry, try out these natural ways to humidify a room!
Keep indoor plants
Indoor plants not only look beautiful, but they help create a fresh supply of oxygen. Moreover, when you water the indoor plants it can increase the moisture levels in the room. You can choose from a bunch of these air-purifying plants to maintain higher humidity levels in the room and less static buildup.
Try Homemade Anti-static Spray
A smart hack to reduce static electricity at home is to make a DIY homemade anti-static spray. Take 2 cups of water, add 2 tablespoons of vinegar and equal amounts of fabric softener. Shift all of this to a spray bottle. Shake well before use. You can use this homemade anti-static spray on carpet and clothes. This helps reduce the static build-up in no time!
Wear leather-soled shoes
One of the smartest tips to reduce static electricity at home is to wear leather-soled shoes. They act as natural insulators. Leather is a porous material, so when you walk around wearing leather-soled shoes, you are not only collecting electrons but also releasing them. This way static electricity doesn’t build up.
Run wet hands over doorknobs
Hands down, the most practical tip to reduce static electricity at home is to run a wet hand over the doorknob. You should also keep a good moisturizer in your purse or pocket and apply a fresh coat each time you have to touch a door knob or the metal door handle of your car. You can also keep a metal object with you: It can be a safety pin, a metal key or a coin that you can tap before touching the door knob. This way the electrons will be released.
Use vinegar in your laundry
Static electricity in clothes can be quite annoying. Add ¼ cup of white vinegar while doing your laundry. It is best not to use a dryer to dry your clothes. Air dry your clothes and take them off while they are damp. You can also check out these amazing uses of vinegar at home.
A pro tip: Reduce the amount of detergent you use to wash clothes to half. Attach a safety pin to your clothes when you put them on the clothesline to dry. This will release the charged electrons from your clothes. Whenever you have to fold your clothes, make sure your hands are completely moisturized.
So, these were some of the best ways to reduce static electricity at home. If you are looking for more DIY articles on home decor and lifestyle, then keep reading Zameen Blog. Don’t forget to write to us at blog@zameen.com and we will surely get back to you. Subscribe to Zameen Newsletter appearing on the right-hand side of the page.
