Static electricity is one of the common phenomena in people’s households. It generally doesn’t lead to severe harm, but it can cause minor shocks. Therefore, you want to banish it from your home to avoid these unpleasant effects.
Here are a few simple tips to get rid of static electricity:
Use a humidifier
Dry air is among the leading causes of static electricity. It’s especially prominent in the winter due to the intense use of heating units.
To minimize static electricity, install a humidifier. Tabletop humidifiers can solve moisture problems in particular areas, whereas whole-room products help deliver enough humidity throughout the house.
Wear low-static shoes and fabrics
The other most common culprit of static electricity build-up is clothing. In particular, rubber-soled shoes are excellent insulators that build up static on people’s bodies. Coupled with wool socks or sweaters, they provide all the ingredients for getting zapped. The same goes for nylon and polyester.
Since discarding these clothes is impossible, try to include other options. The safest are cotton and leather-soled shoes.
Add baking soda to laundry
Baking soda serves as a barrier between negative and positive charges, keeping them from creating static electricity. To help prevent shocks, add ¼ of a cup of baking soda to a regular cycle. The amount may need to be adjusted between ½ a cup for a hefty load and a few tablespoons for smaller ones.
Treat clothing with unique products
Some products can eliminate static electricity from clothes. Items with too much electricity stick to the body and are harder to fold.
Using dryer sheets and fabric softeners reduces static presence. Another easy solution is to pull clothing out of your dryer while it’s still damp and hang it to air dry.
Tackle carpets and rugs
Static charges in carpets and rugs can result in shocks when walking across them. To help avoid this issue, apply an anti-static spray on their surface to prevent charges from building up.
In addition, add indoor plants to areas with softer floors, as certain species can naturally increase humidity levels and lessen static electricity.
Rub upholstery with dryer sheets
Use dryer sheets for upholstery, not just for laundry. Rubbing car seats and furniture with these sheets reduces static build-up. They neutralize electricity, as well as odors, killing two birds with one stone.
Employ metal objects
The easiest fix to static electricity may be to carry a safety pin or metal key in a pocket. Touching it before anything else transfers electron charges to safeguard against shocks.
Also, use a metal hanger and gently rub it against clothes before putting them on. The object will collect any static electricity and allow you to dress comfortably.
To get more advice on lowering static electricity in your home, contact a seasoned electrician.
Kennedy Electric is a reliable full-service electrical company serving residential and commercial customers in Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco Counties. We offer electrical repairs, boat lift wiring, remodels, low voltage lighting, generator hookups, RV power, electrical inspections, fan installation, home lighting, new circuits, panels, and more. Call today at 352-251-2795.
