How to Get Rid of Static Cling on Clothes, and Prevent It Coming Back

Fact checked by Emily EstepReviewed by Melissa Homer

Is there anything more annoying than walking down the street, trying to gracefully unstick your dress from your tights, while wondering how on earth you can get rid static cling forever? This universal experience is caused by static electricity, which makes clothes either cling to your body or attach to another clothing item like velcro.

But there are ways to make sure static cling doesn't occur or stop it in its tracks. Use these five tips to get rid of static cling and five tips to prevent static cling so you'll never walk out the front door with sock stuck to your pants again.

Five Ways to Get Rid of Static Cling

Use a Static Reducing Spray

Static reducing sprays neutralize electrical charges by increasing hygroscopic (humidity-attracting) substances. Static Guard is a leading brand, but you'll find many similar brands and generic options. Use a quick spritz on your hosiery before putting on a dress to eliminate static.

Rub Your Clothing with a Damp Cloth or Paper Towel

Have you ever wondered why static cling seems worse in the winter? It's because humidity counteracts static cling, and there's less moisture in the air on dry winter days. That's why you can fight static cling with a damp cloth of paper towel. By using moisture, you'll create humidity and offer a temporary relief to static cling.

Run a Hanger or Aluminum Foil Along Clothing

Bring science into the equation by using a metal household item, like a wire clothes hanger or aluminum foil to transfer the electrostatic charge from your clothing to the metal. You could bring the piece of aluminum foil with you throughout the day for touch-ups or even try a safety pin attached to your clothing to serve as a constant conductor of electrostatic charges.

Moisturize Your Skin

Just like the wet paper towel trick, moisturizing your skin also adds humidity By rubbing lotion into your skin, you are increasing the surface humidity (moisture), and that will keep fabrics from clinging to your skin.

Spritz Hairspray on Your Clothes

If you don't have static reducing spray handy, look for a bottle of hairspray. A few quick spritzes of hairspray will help eliminate static cling on your clothes, though make sure you hold the bottle at last 1 ft. to 2 ft. away from your clothing so you avoid getting hairspray residue on the fabric. Try spraying the item for a few seconds, and you should be able to walk out the door without your clothes clinging to you.

Five Ways to Prevent Static Cling

Increase the Humidity

Static cling is worsened by dry air, so increasing humidity in your home will help lessen its effects. There are a few ways you can go about adding moisture into the air, including bringing plants into your home, using a humidifier, or relying less on the dryer, which does literally take the moisture out of your clothing (think about how often you find a sock stubbornly stuck to your pants as it comes out of the dryer!).

Air Dry Your Clothes

The dryer is one of the worst culprits for causing static electricity, and you can significantly reduce static cling by air drying your clothes instead of tossing them in the dryer. This helps keep the moisture in the clothing, even as it drys out. Plus, the clothes won't rub against each other the way they do in the dryer, which can cause electrostatic charges to skyrocket.

Separate Your Clothes

Clothes with synthetic fibers are often the biggest static culprits in the dryer. By separating out those items before drying, you'll avoid racking up electrostatic charges on your natural fiber items. You can dry them separately, but, ideally, you'll air dry the synthetic fibers.

Use Fabric Softener

Using a fabric softener in the wash cycle can add moisture into the washing process that will eliminate static. You can also use a dryer sheet or dryer ball in the dryer to eliminate the friction in the dryer that causes static to worsen.

Wear Leather-Soled Shoes

Choose leather-soled shoes over rubber soles if you are plagued by static cling. Leather soles allow electricity to freely flow through your body after contact with a build-up of electrons, like on a carpet. Rubber soles will act like a conductor, making static electricity worse.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get rid of static cling fast?

To get rid of static cling fast, you either need to add moisture or relocate the charge. You can use a damp cloth or a spray to stop static cling, or you can rub metal or aluminum foil on your clothing to transfer the electrostatic charge.

How do you get rid of static cling while wearing clothes?

You can try a quick spritz of static reducing spray or hairspray to quickly get rid of static cling while you're wearing clothes. Keep a bottle on hand for touch-ups on the go.

How do you get rid of static cling naturally?

You can get rid of static cling naturally by adding moisture into the equation. This will stop static cling immediately, whether it's through a damp cloth or adding humidity to the air.

Read the original article on The Spruce.