You have finally found a perfect dress! However, once worn, you realize that it has so much electrostatic charge that the fabric sticks to the body in a really annoying way, ruining your look. It really is a shame! Thankfully, the amount of static electricity is directly related to dryness, and there are some simple methods to prevent a suit from sticking to the body, both in the long and short term.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Quickly Eliminate Static Electricity
Step 1. Scrub the garment with antistatic dryer sheet
Pull the dress skirt off your legs and scrub the inside of the fabric with the fabric softener slip. This is more complicated when the electrostatic charge attracts the dress to the center of the chest or to an area under which it is difficult to tuck the sheet. Try to do your best. This "trick" should remove the electricity quickly and effortlessly. If you do it correctly, the charge should immediately transfer to the dryer fabric softener sheet.
Step 2. Moisten the fabric with a spray bottle filled with water
Spray the dress on the outside, wherever it tends to stick to the body. You can use an old spray bottle of window cleaner or the one you use to wet your plants, just make sure it doesn't get too much water. The goal is to moisten the fabric where the electrostatic charge is excessive. This method is effective and quick, but do not overdo it with water and do not wet a large area of the dress. You certainly don't want to show up completely wet on your date. Static electricity will not return even when the dress is dry.
Step 3. Use an antistatic spray product
This is a solution that can be found in some drugstores and helps you get rid of static electricity on clothes quickly. Again, you need to spray the outer surface of the fabric in the areas where the electrical charge is present. This product costs around 20 euros, but many people swear by its effectiveness. If you have time to go and buy it or if you already have it on hand, the spray is a perfect remedy.
Step 4. Spray the dress with a spray lacquer
Keep the nozzle far enough away from your body so that the spray does not hit the fabric directly. The distance of an arm should be sufficient, also remember to close your eyes to avoid painful consequences if you spray your face. You can also spread moisturizing lotion on your hands and then rub them on the part of the body where the dress is "glued". Always be very careful not to overdo the product. Perfume-free creams are generally the best, so you won't give off a strong aroma from this product.
Step 5. Touch a grounded metal
Any piece of metal that is fixed directly into the ground should instantly remove any electrostatic charge. Avoid touching one that is not grounded, such as doorknobs. You may get a large, sometimes painful, electrostatic shock. A metal fence is a perfect example of a grounded structure.
Step 6. Apply a moisturizer to those parts of the body where the dress sticks
The cream prevents electrostatic charge from accumulating on the skin. By doing this, you avoid that electricity also remains on the dress. This solution is a bit more complex, if all the tissue has electrostatic charge, but in cases where it is a localized problem, it is worth a try. You can also use baby powder; however, this product can dirty the dress and its scent is much more recognizable than the moisturizer. If you have decided for this solution, apply a little of the product on your hands and then rub it on the affected areas of the body. Really use minimal amounts of talc or cream.
Step 7. Buy a dress made with natural fibers
Synthetic fabrics accumulate a lot of static electricity. The concept behind this phenomenon is a bit complex, but in practice natural fibers retain moisture more easily, which prevents them from charging with the electrons present in the environment and surrounding the dress. If you don't want to continue to have trouble with static electricity, it is probably sufficient to buy clothes made of natural fabric. Problem solved!
Method 2 of 2: Eliminate Static Electricity in the Long Run
Step 1. Increase the humidity level in your home
This could help you get rid of static electricity problems in the future. All you have to do is buy a humidifier and turn it on at home. Static electricity is a very common phenomenon in winter, when the weather is very dry, and it will dissipate thanks to humidity. If you don't want to buy a humidifier, then you can hang the dress in the bathroom after taking a shower. There will be a higher humidity level in the room and should eliminate the problem.
Step 2. Wash the garment by hand or in the washing machine using the gentlest program available
But remember to check the label on the dress to make sure it gets wet. You should also find information on the label to determine if the fabric can be put in the washing machine and dryer or if all of this would ruin it. Obviously do a check before proceeding. If you have decided to machine wash the garment, add baking soda to the detergent drawer to reduce static cling.
If you put the dress in the dryer, add a sheet softener as well and remove the dress from the appliance when it is still slightly damp
Step 3. Hang it to dry on a hanger at the entrance to the house
Attach the hook to the door frame. If you hang the dress to dry, such as on a clothesline, remember to transfer it to the hanger for at least the last 10 minutes, instead of leaving it on the clothesline or the line all the time. This prevents wrinkles and prevents the build-up of static electricity.
Step 4. Walk barefoot
It might sound strange to you, but it is a technique that really reduces the electrostatic charge that builds up on the body. If there is no electricity on the body, there will be no electricity on the dress either, so walk barefoot when you know you need to wear the dress soon. You can also put aluminum foil on the soles of your shoes to prevent charge buildup, but walking barefoot is probably easier.
Advice
- If your clothes have an electrostatic charge after washing them, then it is likely that you have left them in the dryer for too long. At the next opportunity, use a lower and / or shorter temperature program.
- When hanging clothes to dry, make sure they don't come into contact with other clothes and put them in a well-ventilated area.
- Hard water washing causes static electricity to build up on the clothes once they are dry. A water softener should be installed to prevent this type of problem.
- Do not wash clothes that need to be dry-cleaned in water! Many formal dresses could be completely ruined if you don't follow the washing instructions to the letter.
- If you splash the dress with water, be careful not to over-soak it. You certainly don't want to show up all wet at your formal event.
