Let’s face it, we have all been zapped with static electricity at some stage when we least expected it. An increase in static electricity is common, especially in the winter. During the cold, dry winter months, static electricity can build up in the home. If this is your current situation, continue reading for ways to reduce or remove it from your space.
Simply put, it is the buildup of an electrical charge on a surface.
You’ve probably rubbed your head with a balloon, your hair rising as you pulled it away, convincing your 2-year-old you’re a wizard.
Static occurs when electric charges accumulate on an object’s surface; this is commonly a result of two materials that are moving apart or rubbing together.
Raising the humidity level in your home via a humidifier will reduce random static shocks, static cling and static in your hair. Here’s why humidity matters. In the summer, there is enough humidity in the air to help electrons flow off of your body. This prevents you from building up a charge. In dry winters, with less humidity in the air, your body will inevitably build up a larger charge. Humid air is a better conductor of electricity than dry air.
More humidity in your home will also limit electric shocks around computers and electronics, which can cause serious damage.
Use an anti-static treatment on your carpets and rugs. Spraying an anti-static chemical will reduce static shocks around your home. A charge will not build up between your feet and the carpet, thus reducing your likelihood of being shocked.
Did you know that baking soda acts as a barrier between positive and negative charges from creating static build up? It also acts as a water and fabric softener.
Along with wearing low-static materials such as leather and cotton, wash your clothing with this anti-static treatment. Add ¼ cup baking soda to your regular laundry cycle to help prevent static electricity in your laundry.
You may need to adjust the amount of baking soda between a couple tablespoons for a small load to ½ cup for larger loads. ¼ cup is the average measurement suggested.
These applications will help reduce static electricity in your home. For more comprehensive steps, there are ways to remove static electricity from your body. Combined, you should be able to beat the winter shocks.
