Static electricity on clothes

[Tintin19]

My new washing machine seems to make all of my shirts very very staticly charged. Does anyone know what causes this, whether it be the machine or the powder. I don't tumble dry my clothes, they all go on the line so it can't be that.

[woofgang]

Could be either or both, Tintin. It could also be the atmospheric conditions we have been having lately. I am one of those people who get static shocks easily and I have had some real belters off my car lately. Do you use a fabric conditioner when you wash clothes? (not the one included in the detergent) I find this helps a lot

[answerbok]

.. or those 'Bounce' sheets. Woofgang, here's a free helpul tip (no charge); Touch a radiator, bare metal part, b4 you leave home or office. This will earth away the static..

[woofgang]

thanks answerbok, but its touching metal that gives me the shock...guess I should get myself permanently earthed...

[answerbok]

actually, woofgang, the car shocks because it's on rubber and Not earthed, same as a metal door handle (not earthed), the radiator is earthed, so it takes your charge and dissipates it to earth with no shock, try it for me, be bold, people have done worse in the name of science, and if any electrician/physic types reading this, please reassure woofgang that i am right :-) also techies will agree, that you need to earth yourself on radiator or water pipe etc before you ever touch inside your pc. Right, techies..

[woodpam]

Tintin, I get this problem too, if you can use more than the recommended dose of fabric softener this will help, also you can make a 50/50 mix of water and fabric softener and wet a facecloth with it, wring out and put in a tumble dryer with your clothes, it works really well. Answerbok, if I stand on a manmade fibre carpet and touch a radiator I get quite a viscious shock. How does that work?

[answerbok]

no, Woodpam, i think you're confusing.. Door handles, yes.. rads no. Rads can't, they're connected to earth. Look, rather than us argue, staticly challenged people can use my method No.2; if too frit to touch a rad, touch the very earth itself for a moment, with your bare hand [after removing the rubber glove you wore to turn the door handle to get you outside]; this will also remove your static and then you can safely go touch your car. :-)

[Tintin19]

Well, I certainly started n interesting debate. I don't have a tumble dryer so I can't use the methods suggested for that. If it's the shirt itself that is charged, can I still earth myself? I hadn't considered it as an option until Answerbok suggested it. I haven't actually had a shock, but I'm quite hairy and it feels like all the hairs on my chest and arms are bristling all day long, pretty annoying!!

[KEJ2000]

Hello, I am writing from the United States. Here, they sell a product called "Static Guard" which you can spray onto your clothes and it will prevent static cling all day. It would be found in the laundry section of your supermarket, in an aerosol can (like a hairspray can). Or, if you have a bottle that sprays mist, like for misting houseplants, you can spray some water mist onto your clothes and that should for a little while... not as well as the Static Guard, though. Also I would like to add that static only happens with synthetic fabrics, such as polyester and rayon. If static cling is your #1 pet peeve, and you would do anything to not have to deal with it, you could always decide to invest in new clothing made of 100% natural fabrics. Good luck!

[davejazz]

to stop getting a static shock as you get out of your car do this: whilst still sitting in the car open the car door, hold the top of the door then put one foot out onto the ground - you have now earthed yourself. Let go of the door and get out normally and you'll find you won't get that horrible ZAP!!! good luck