Static Cling

How to Get Rid of Static Cling - Natural Suggestions

It is important to understand the factors that create static cling. Static buildup is usually caused by one or more of the following:
1. Fabric type – synthetics like nylon and polyester are more likely to generate static cling in the dryer from the friction as they tumble back and forth.
2. Over drying – leaving the clothes in too long. I like to take my clothes out just before they are dry and find if I hang my shirts and pants the wrinkles fall out and they often do not need ironing.
Dryers with a moisture meter that can shut down automatically are ideal for this strategy.
3. Dry air – usually a problem in the winter when there is less humidity in the air. It may not be coincidental now that winter has arrived (depending of course on where you are located!)

How can Wool Dryer Balls help reduce static cling?
Wool Dryer Balls are any safe alternative to chemical dryer sheets that work by coating the fabric fibres with toxic chemicals that build up over time. They work to reduce static cling by absorbing moisture from clothing in the dryer, maintaining a more humid environment and, therefore, cutting down on static build up. However they will not eliminate static cling completely, especially when clothing is over dried for example in a dryer without a moisture sensor.

Here are some ideas to help reduce static cling:
1. Reduce your drying time by 5-10 minutes
When items are completely dry and no moisture remains, this invites static electricity into the mix. Allow clothes to dry only until they’re slightly damp – tumbling around for excessive amounts of time in the dry heat increases static and increases your energy costs. My dryer allows us to set the level of drying using a sensor to tell how dry the clothes are. I usually set it to less dry vs. normal and find that most of the clothes are dry enough to fold. I hang the shirts and pants which also means they are faster to iron later.

2. Dry Synthetic fabrics separately
Synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester fleece are usually the main culprits of static cling. When dried separately, garments made from synthetic fabrics aren’t given the opportunity to charge up all your other clothing. If that isn’t feasible, consider pulling synthetic fabrics out of the dryer early and hanging them on an indoor or outdoor rack to finish drying.