How to Reduce Static Electricity Quickly & Easily: Expert-Backed Tips

Static electricity is a common annoyance, especially in the cold, dry weather. If you’re tired of being shocked every time you touch something, there are a few things you can do to remove static electricity. For this article, we interviewed laundry specialists, estheticians, and image consultants to teach you how to remove static electricity and static cling from your home , body , and clothes . Plus, learn what causes static electricity in the first place and get answers to other common questions.

Best Ways to Get Rid of Static Electricity

Run a humidifier indoors.
Hold a metal object, like a key or a coin.
Wear natural or organic fabrics.
Moisturize your skin.
Use dryer sheets or fabric softener for laundry.
Apply a commercial anti-static spray.
Grow indoor plants.

Section 1 of 6:

Removing Static Electricity in the Home

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1
Use a humidifier. Static electricity is more active when the air is dry. This is why it’s so common in the winter, as the air’s humidity is reduced when people heat their houses. ^{[1]
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Research source} Increase the humidity in your house and workplace by using a humidifier . The moisture in the air can help reduce static charge from building up. Aim for a humidity level between 30-50%.
- Create your own humidifier by boiling water on the stove. ^{[2]
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  Research source} Add spices like cinnamon or citrus rinds to give off a nice scent while you humidify your house.
- You can tell your home’s humidity is low when you experience frequent static shocks, dry skin, and chapped lips.
2

Grow potted plants inside your home. Houseplants release moisture into the air through a process called transpiration. This naturally increases humidity levels, which can decrease static electricity and improve overall air quality. Plants like Boston ferns , spider plants , and peace lilies are great options that remove static and purify the air. ^{[3]
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3

Take a hot shower or bath. When you take a hot shower, the steam from the warm water will rise and add moisture to the air. This helps ground electrical charges so you’re less likely to get shocked. When you’re done, leave your bathroom door open so the steam can get into the rest of your home. ^{[4]
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4
Treat your carpets and furniture with anti-static sprays. According to image consultant Jordan Stolch, an anti-static spray is “going to be your guard” against static cling. Many commercial anti-static sprays are available to reduce static around your home. Simply follow the spray’s instructions to apply it to your furniture and/or carpet. If you spray your carpet, wait for it to dry completely before walking on it. This will greatly decrease the amount of static electricity you experience. ^{[5]
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- Most carpet retailers and online companies offer spray treatments for rugs and carpets. Some carpets are also specifically made with an anti-static component.
- To make a static-reducing spray at home, mix 1 capful of fabric softener with antistatic properties in a spray bottle of water. Shake the mixture and lightly spray it over the carpet.
Rub upholstered furniture or your car seats with dryer sheets or dryer balls to reduce the static buildup on those surfaces. Dryer sheets help neutralize the electric charge, and while they’re designed for clothes, they often work just as well on furniture. Simply take a dryer sheet or ball and run it all over the furniture’s surface. ^{[6]
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6

Wipe down furniture with a damp cloth. Dampen a cloth or paper towel and wipe down your furniture. This will instantly neutralize electrical buildup and eliminate static cling . Be careful not to oversaturate the fabric, as excess moisture can damage some materials, like leather or wood. ^{[7]
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7

Run a metal object along your furniture. Metal conducts electricity, so it can help transfer and neutralize static charges. Take a metal object, like a wire hanger or a spatula, and run it along your furniture’s surface. Do this regularly to help prevent static buildup. It’s especially helpful in dry weather or right after vacuuming, which often increases static. ^{[8]
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8

Opt for furniture made from natural fibers. If you’re shopping for new furniture or reupholstering your current pieces, consider choosing natural fabrics, like cotton, wool, or linen. These fabrics are less prone to static buildup than synthetic fabrics like polyester or acrylic. ^{[9]
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9

Keep your furniture clean. Dust, pet hair, and other debris often contribute to static buildup on furniture. Regularly clean and vacuum your floors and upholstered furniture , and use a lint roller to reduce static. For fabric furniture, opt for a specialized upholstery cleaner to keep it in good condition while minimizing the risk of static. ^{[10]
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Section 2 of 6:

Discharging Static Electricity from Your Body

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1
Keep your skin moisturized. Dry skin contributes to static electricity and static shock, so lotions and moisturizers help prevent static electricity from accumulating on your body. Rub lotion on yourself when you get out of the shower and before getting dressed, and rub it on your hands intermittently throughout the day. ^{[11]
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- If your skin is dry even when you moisturize , esthetician Joanna Kula explains, “This is likely due to a buildup of dead skin on the surface that can prevent ingredients from absorbing properly. Regular exfoliation with gentle alpha-hydroxy acids will not only improve skin texture, but will also make sure the products you put on are more effective.”
2
Touch something metal. Metal can help ground static electricity, preventing static shocks. Before touching a doorknob or another person, tap a metal object like a key or a coin against a wooden surface, like a table. This safely discharges built-up static on your body. Alternatively, touch your metal object to the metal surface you’re about to touch so you don’t get shocked. ^{[12]
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- It’s a good idea to keep a metal object on your person at all times, especially during winter when static electricity is more prominent. This can be a coin, a keychain, or even a thimble.
- This is also known as grounding yourself —you never accumulate electrical charges, and the charges are instead transferred to the metal object.
- Another option is to wear an anti-static wrist strap , especially if you frequently work with electronic components. These help prevent the buildup of static electricity in the body, but some types have been proven ineffective.
3

Touch objects with your knuckles first. While this won’t technically prevent static shocks, it can stop you from feeling them. Your knuckles have fewer nerve endings than your fingertips, so touching something with your knuckles first will make the static shock less painful. ^{[13]
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4
Wear natural fibers. If you constantly get shocked by static electricity, your clothes could be to blame. Check your care tag to see what fibers your clothes are made from. If they’re made from synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon, they’re more prone to static electricity than clothes made from natural fibers. If possible, change your clothes and wear something made of cotton, linen, or another natural material. ^{[14]
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- If your clothes are still affected by static electricity, rub them with dryer sheets or spritz them with a little bit of hairspray.
5
Attach a safety pin to your clothes. Attach a safety pin to the seam of your pants or at the back of the neck of your shirt. The metal of the pin discharges the electrical build-up in your clothes, preventing static cling and electrical shocks. ^{[15]
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- Attaching the pin at a seam allows you to hide the pin, but still reap its static-reducing benefits.
6
Avoid rubber-soled shoes. Shoes with rubber soles are conductors that accumulate and create static electricity, so opt for shoes that reduce static shock instead, like leather-soled shoes. ^{[16]
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Research source} Experiment with different kinds of shoes to see which types create the least amount of static shock. Additionally, walk barefoot in the house when you can.
- Some shoes worn by those who work with electronics have conductive strands woven into the soles of their shoes, which discharge static electricity as they walk.
7

Use moisturizing hair treatments. Just like the air and our skin, hair is more prone to static electricity when it’s dry. Use conditioning treatments, hair masks , and oils to lock in moisture. If you style your hair with heat, remember to apply a heat protectant , as well. These treatments will also reduce friction between hair strands to help prevent charge buildup. ^{[17]
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8

Detangle your hair with a metal comb. Metal combs help absorb and disperse electrical charges, while plastic combs can make the problem worse. When a plastic comb rubs against your hair, it attracts electrons and leaves your hair positively charged. This causes individual strands to repel each other and stand on end. ^{[18]
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Section 3 of 6:

Removing Static Electricity from Your Clothing

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Run a metal hanger, a dryer sheet, or a dryer ball over the surface (front and back) and inside of any article of clothing. This will reduce the electrical charge of the item of clothing by transferring the electron charges on the clothes to the metal hanger or dryer sheet. Do this before you put the clothes on and/or while you’re wearing them to prevent shocks and cling. ^{[19]
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2
Use dryer sheets and fabric softener when doing laundry. A great way to reduce static in your laundry is to use dryer sheets (or dryer balls ) and fabric softener. As clothes tumble and rub together, these coat the fabrics with lubricants to help neutralize static. When choosing a fabric softener, laundry specialist Kamel Almani recommends using “a liquid fabric softener with antistatic properties.”
- Dryer sheets and fabric softener are ideal for natural fabrics like cotton, but should be avoided when washing athletic wear, microfiber, towels, and flame-resistant or water-repellant fabrics. If you have fragrance or dye allergies, dryer sheets may also cause skin reactions.
- Dryer balls help keep laundry from clumping together, minimize static, reduce wrinkles, and soften clothes. Laundry specialist Ayad Mirjan recommends “3 dryer balls per load” to help get rid of static cling.
3
Add baking soda and vinegar to the wash. Before starting the washing cycle, add ¼ cup (59 ml) of baking soda to your clothes. This creates a barrier between the positive and negative charges to prevent static buildup. When your washing machine transitions to the rinse cycle, pause it and pour in ¼ cup (59 ml) of white distilled vinegar. This serves as both a fabric softener and a static reducer. ^{[20]
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- Depending on the size of the laundry load, you may need to adjust the amount of baking soda you add. For bigger loads, add about ½ cup of baking soda, and for small loads, use 1 or 2 tablespoons.
- Baking soda is also considered a water softener and a fabric softener.
4

Separate your laundry by fabric type before drying. Before adding your clothes to the dryer, sort them by their material. Synthetic materials, like nylon and polyester, are more prone to static cling, while natural materials like cotton and linen are less prone. ^{[21]
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Research source} Dry these materials separately to minimize static cling.
5
Consider air- or steam-drying your clothes. One of the best ways to reduce static electricity in your laundry is to air-dry your clothes, as the tumbling and friction in a dryer often contributes to the buildup of static electricity. If possible, hang your clothes somewhere they can dry naturally. ^{[22]
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Research source} Another option is to use a steam dryer or select the steam cycle on your dryer, which uses hot, moist air to dry clothes. This helps neutralize static and reduce wrinkles.
- If you aren’t using a dryer, Mirjan says, “Hang clothes to dry—if possible, outdoors. Be sure that the clothing goes through a complete spin cycle so the excess water can spin out.”
6
Add a damp washcloth to the dryer. If you choose to dry your clothes in the dryer, adding a damp washcloth can help minimize static. For the last 5-10 minutes of the drying cycle, turn the dryer to the lowest heat setting and add a damp washcloth to the machine. Then, allow the dryer to finish its cycle. This will add moisture to the air to prevent electrical charges from building up in the dryer. ^{[23]
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- Some dryers also have a “reduce static” option. Using this feature means the dryer will add a small amount of moisture on its own at the end of its cycle. If your dryer has this feature, you won’t need to add a damp washcloth.
- Shake your clothes as soon as they’re finished drying. This helps prevent static electricity from setting in. ^{[24]
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Section 4 of 6:

Best Products for Reducing Static Electricity

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1

Humidifiers with built-in humidistats Any humidifiers are great for adding moisture to the air, which reduces static electricity. ^{[25]
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Research source} However, some high-tech humidifiers come with humidistats that allow you to set your desired humidity level for precise control. The Honeywell HCM350W is a popular option due to its germ-fighting features and quiet operation.
2
Grounding floor mats Grounding floor mats , also known as earthing mats, are made from conductive materials (like carbon or silver) that connect to a grounding cord. The mats are designed to absorb static electricity and mimic the electric current of the Earth. ^{[26]
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- Some believe grounding mats also provide health benefits, like reducing inflammation, improving sleep, and reducing stress. More research still needs to be done, however. ^{[27]
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3

Grounding bracelets Grounding bracelets , or anti-static wristbands, are often worn by those who work with electronic components. They’re designed to safely ground a person working on electronic equipment and prevent static electricity buildup and potential damage. Wired wristbands are known to be beneficial, while wireless straps have been proven to be ineffective at preventing potential discharges. ^{[28]
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4

Anti-static sprays Anti-static sprays are a great way to neutralize electrical charges and reduce static cling on fabrics and furniture. ^{[29]
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Research source} Static Guard and Bounce are both popular anti-static sprays. Simply follow the instructions on the spray to apply it correctly.
5

Natural fiber bedding Sleeping on synthetic bedding will likely increase the static electricity on your body and around your home. To prevent this, opt for natural fibers, like cotton, linen, or bamboo. ^{[30]
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Research source} The Eucalyptus Lyocell Set from Sheets & Giggles is a popular, moisture-wicking option.
6

Wool dryer balls Dryer sheets can reduce static, but dryer balls are often a better option because they’re reusable and therefore more eco-friendly. ^{[31]
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Research source} Dryer balls reduce drying time, static cling, and wrinkles. If you want something even more eco-friendly, consider the compostable Friendsheep Eco Dryer Balls .

EXPERT TIP

Ayad Mirjan
Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist
Ayad Mirjan is a Dry Cleaner and Laundry Specialist and the Founder of OrangeBag®, a toxin-free, sustainable, Los Angeles-based laundry and dry cleaning delivery service. Ayad has over four years of experience in the industry and he specializes in providing easy laundry and dry-cleaning solutions to professionals, families, and businesses. Ayad received his Bachelor's degree from The University of California, San Diego, and an MBA from Henley Business School. He is also a board member of the Entrepreneur's Organization Accelerator (EOA).

Ayad Mirjan
Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist

Use wool dryer balls during the dryer cycle. Wool balls absorb moisture from clothing in the dryer to maintain a more humid environment and help you get rid of static cling and friction.

Section 5 of 6:

What causes static electricity?

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Static electricity occurs when an electrical charge builds up on an object. This often happens when two different materials, like your clothes and your couch, rub against each other. This friction causes electrons to move from one material to the other, creating an imbalance where one object has extra electrons (negatively charged) and the other loses them (positively charged). ^{[32]
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Trustworthy Source
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- When you touch something, the electrons quickly move to balance the charges out, resulting in a small shock.
- Static electricity is often caused by dry air, synthetic fibers and fabrics, and friction.

Section 6 of 6:

Static Electricity FAQs

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1

Is static electricity dangerous? Static electricity is usually harmless, even if the shocks hurt a bit! Your body, clothes, and/or furniture won’t typically hold enough static electricity to hurt you. However, in extreme cases, like when dealing with flammable materials or sensitive electronics, it can create sparks that ignite fires or damage equipment. This is why people who deal with these materials on a regular basis use anti-static wristbands and floor mats to protect themselves and their equipment. ^{[33]
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2

How do I get rid of static electricity fast? A quick way to get rid of static electricity on your body is to hold a metal object and touch it to a wooden surface or a metal surface you were about to touch. Or, simply use your knuckle to touch the surface first so you don’t feel the shock. To get rid of static electricity on your clothes or furniture, rub a dryer sheet or a damp cloth over the surface. ^{[34]
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3
How do I remove static from clothes while wearing them? If you’re wearing staticky clothes, rub them with a dryer sheet or a metal hanger. These materials should discharge the static. Then, apply an anti-static spray to prevent more static buildup. You can also lightly moisten the material, but you may not want to walk around in damp clothes! ^{[35]
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- Moisturizing your skin can also sometimes help.
4

How do I remove static cling from polyester? Synthetic materials like polyester often attract static cling more than fabrics made of natural fibers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get rid of the cling . When washing polyester and other synthetic materials, be sure to use an appropriate fabric softener (some don’t do well with synthetic materials). If you’re wearing your clothes or don’t need to wash them, run a dryer sheet over the fabric or spritz it with an anti-static spray. ^{[36]
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5

Does walking barefoot reduce static electricity? Walking barefoot on natural surfaces, like grass and dirt, can help reduce static electricity buildup, as they are good conductors that allow the static electricity to flow into the ground. However, walking barefoot on synthetic surfaces like carpet may increase the buildup of static due to the friction between your feet and the carpet. ^{[37]
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Join the Discussion...

Easiest methods to remove static from clothes?

WikiEmuLeaper240

I've heard dryer sheets aren't good for your clothes and I never liked using them in the first place, but gosh my clothes are just so staticky lately. I hate that feeling of how they stick to me and it's making my outfits look a bit awkward too. I'm just not sure what else to do. Please tell me there's an easy solution, I'm getting pretty desperate.

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How do you get rid of static electricity on my clothes?

Ayad Mirjan
Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist
Ayad Mirjan is a Dry Cleaner and Laundry Specialist and the Founder of OrangeBag®, a toxin-free, sustainable, Los Angeles-based laundry and dry cleaning delivery service. Ayad has over four years of experience in the industry and he specializes in providing easy laundry and dry-cleaning solutions to professionals, families, and businesses. Ayad received his Bachelor's degree from The University of California, San Diego, and an MBA from Henley Business School. He is also a board member of the Entrepreneur's Organization Accelerator (EOA).

Ayad Mirjan

Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist

Expert Answer

Use wool dryer balls during the dryer cycle! These balls absorb moisture from clothing in the dryer, maintaining a more humid environment and helping you get rid of static cling and friction.

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Can water be used to prevent static electricity in clothing?

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Yes, it can. Spray some water (although not too much) on the clothing and the static electricity should be gone for a while. However, the effect is only temporary.

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How do I stop static electricity in my cloth chair?

Community Answer

Drape a cotton towel over the seating area or use static spray. A little damp wipe helps if there are no other means available. Saltwater is best.

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To reduce the "shock," simply use a less sensitive part of your body to discharge, such as your knuckles, elbow, leg, or arm.

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Discharging on a concrete wall will also reduce the "shock" to a mere tingling.

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How to Reduce Static Electricity Quickly & Easily: Expert-Backed Tips

Best Ways to Get Rid of Static Electricity

Steps

Removing Static Electricity in the Home

Discharging Static Electricity from Your Body

Removing Static Electricity from Your Clothing

Best Products for Reducing Static Electricity

What causes static electricity?

Static Electricity FAQs

Join the Discussion...

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

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