No More Static Cling!

There is only one reason why fabric softeners and dryer sheets are added to the washing machine or dryer: To eliminate static cling!

But commercial fabric softeners can make you sick. According to a study by Anderson Laboratories, many commercial formulas emit chemical fumes like toluene, styrene and phenol that can cause acute respiratory tract inflammation and irritation.

But what to do when dry winter air makes static-laden skirts scrunch and bunch, and pants creep up to your knees?

Learn the easy all-natural ways to banish static cling from your laundry, including the fabulous metal hanger trick that you can use on already-clean clothes!

1. Add either of these cling-busting additions to your laundry wash cycle:
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup or less borax

2. Add 1/4 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle.

3. Switch to a “green” fabric softener, like those made by Seventh Generation or Ecover, made with vegetable-based surfactants, salt, and natural scents.

4. Choose clothing made from natural fibers; they don’t get static cling as readily.

5. Shake out your clothes when you remove them from the drier.

6. The metal hanger trick for already-clean clothes: Put on the garment. If it is a skirt or dress, simply reach up underneath it with a metal hanger and brush the inside of the garment with it, top to bottom. If it’s pants, elongate the hanger and reach up inside each pant leg, brushing downward.

Read more: Home, Household Hints

By Annie B. Bond

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

KS G.

6:56AM PDT on Aug 12, 2011

Thanks for the article.

send a green star

3:08AM PDT on Oct 20, 2010

wonder filled!

Jan C.

12:11PM PDT on Apr 9, 2010

For those of you who must wear pantyhose which makes you skirts ride up, try a slip. Of course, you may find the skirt stays down, and the slip now rides up!~~~I, too, use vinegar in the rinse cycle (it helps to remove the laundry detergent from the clothes and it deodarizes.) I still have to use dryer sheets in the winter to combat static cling.

NO EMAILS P.

12:18AM PDT on Mar 18, 2010

thanks

Leanne B.

11:55PM PST on Mar 10, 2010

Great stuff thanks

Yolanda L.

9:10PM PST on Jan 30, 2010

I know it's old fashion, but the best way to get rid of static cling while wearing a skirt is to wear a slip that you have turned inside-out. Doesn't matter if it's a full slip or half slip.

Amelia M.

9:50AM PST on Nov 29, 2009

Do those dryer balls work with static cling?

Mxx F.

5:14AM PDT on Apr 23, 2009

I use vinegar and while it makes clothes smell fresh (not vinegar-y after they're dry), I didn't see a difference with the static cling, so I still use dryer sheets.

Sasha J.

7:40AM PDT on Mar 17, 2009

If you use vinegar in the wash, they'll smell faintly of it when you first get them out, but as they dry, the smell goes away. And, actually, it makes them smell even better.

Past Member .

12:58PM PST on Nov 5, 2008

I read soemwhere that u can simply use a metal safety pin on the inside of the garment. It is supposed to eliminate static cling. I havent yet tried it but am planning to.