Static Cling in Clothes – How to Get Rid of It

Why clothes go static – and worse in winter

Static builds up when two materials rub against each other and swap charge – the skirt against the tights, the sweater against the lining. Humid air carries the charge away before it can gather, but dry air does not. That is why the problem is far worse in winter: cold outdoor air and heated rooms produce very dry indoor air, so the charge stays put. Synthetic fibres such as polyester, nylon, acrylic and fleece charge up more easily than natural fibres like cotton, wool and linen, which hold a little moisture of their own.

Quick fix when the garment clings

If you need to fix it on the go, it is all about carrying the charge away or adding a little moisture. These tricks take seconds:

• Run a metal coat hanger or another metal object slowly over the inside of the garment – the metal carries the charge away.
• Lightly dampen your palms with water and smooth them over the fabric, or put a little moisturiser on the skin underneath.
• Pin a small safety pin to the inside of the lining or a seam – it discreetly earths the garment.
• Spritz a touch of hairspray or a little water on the inside of skirts and dresses that cling to your legs.
• If you are holding a metal hanger, thread it through the garment between the layers a couple of times.

How to prevent static in the wash

A lot of static starts in the tumble dryer, which over-dries synthetic garments. Adjust your washing and drying routine and the problem largely disappears.

1. Do not over-dry – take garments out while barely dry, or shorten the drying time.
2. Add a few wool dryer balls to the drum; they keep garments apart and add a little moisture.
3. Hang synthetic garments to air-dry instead of tumbling them when you can.
4. Use a little fabric softener or a splash of white vinegar in the rinse – both cut static (but check the care label; softener does not suit every garment).
5. Separate heavy and light items; synthetics dried with towels and cotton rub up the most.

Change the air and the way you dress

If static is a constant winter problem, you can tackle the cause instead of the symptom:

• Raise the indoor humidity with a humidifier or by drying laundry in the room – a little moisture in the air stops most of it.
• Wear a natural-fibre layer such as cotton or wool next to your skin, rather than synthetic against synthetic.
• Avoid stacking pure synthetic layers on top of each other; mix in natural fibres.
• Use a thin body lotion on dry skin – dry skin makes garments cling more.

When it is not you, but the garment

Let us be honest: static electricity is almost always a home fix, and you rarely need professionals for it alone. But a garment that always clings extra badly may be carrying a layer of fabric-softener and detergent residue that makes the cling worse and leaves the fabric dull – or it is simply all synthetic. If you are sending in the season's wool sweaters, coats and synthetic jackets for a proper going-over anyway, they come back fresh, thoroughly rinsed of residue and neatly finished. You order online, and you see the price before you order.

Frequently asked questions