How to get rid of static cling on clothes

What causes static in clothes?

Static cling is a common issue that occurs in clothes, often leading them to stick to other garments or your skin. Understanding the root causes of static can help in effectively addressing this problem.

Static in clothes and dryers is caused by a basic science principle: materials swapping tiny electrical charges. When clothes tumble in a dryer, they rub against each other. This rubbing causes some clothes to gain electrical charges and others to lose them.

When the dryer stops, these differently charged clothes stick together – that's static cling. Dry air, both inside the dryer and outside in cold weather, can make this worse. A similar effect can happen when storing or wearing clothes and the materials rub against each other or even your skin, especially in dry conditions. This is why your perfectly static-free shirt may still start to cling after wearing it for a while, leaving you searching for ways to get rid of static in your clothes.

Some fabrics are more prone to static buildup than others. Synthetic materials like polyester and nylon are particularly susceptible due to their insulating properties, which hinder electricity conduction and allow charges to accumulate more readily. Simply put, static cling is all about clothes trading electrical charges as they tumble, then clinging to each other when they stop moving. Here is a deeper look at what causes static in clothes:

1. Rubbing together

Static electricity happens when two different materials, like fabrics, rub against each other. This is called the triboelectric effect.

2. Electron transfer

When you wash and dry your clothes, some tiny particles called electrons move from one fabric to another. If one fabric loses electrons, it becomes positively charged, while the other fabric gains those electrons and becomes negatively charged.

3. Opposing charges 

The positive and negative charges attract each other, which is why clothes can stick together or cling to your body.

4. Dry air 

Static electricity is more common in dry air, especially in winter. When the air is humid (wet), it helps carry away electrical charges, so you don’t get as much static.

5. Synthetic vs. natural fabrics

Some materials, like polyester and nylon (synthetic fabrics), are more likely to create static than natural fabrics like cotton because of how they hold onto or lose electrons.

6. Dryer action

In the dryer, clothes tumble around and rub against each other, which creates friction and causes more electron movement. The heat from the dryer also dries out the clothes, which can make static worse.

By understanding these simple ideas, you can see why static cling happens and how to help prevent it.

How to prevent static on clothes from forming in the first place

Static cling often begins in the washer and dryer due to friction and dry conditions. Fortunately, you can take proactive steps to help stop it from forming in the first place. 

To help prevent static on clothes, use dryer sheets or fabric softeners, which help reduce friction. Air-dry clothes when possible, and wear natural fibers like cotton when possible. To remove static from clothes while wearing them, you can try rubbing a metal hanger over the surface of your clothes or applying a light mist of water to the fabric, among other methods. Read on for more steps to help prevent static from forming on your freshly laundered clothes.

How to help stop static in the washing machine

Static primarily forms during the drying process or while wearing clothes, however, conditions that lead to static can actually start in the washer. Help set yourself up for static-free clothes with these washing machine habits:

1. Separate fabrics 

It’s important to separate fabrics when dealing with static. Wash synthetic fabrics separately from natural fibers. This helps minimize friction and electron transfer that causes static buildup.

2. Avoid overloading

Do not overload the washing machine. While static won’t form on wet clothes, an oversized load of laundry once put in the dryer can cause clothes to rub against each other excessively, increasing static electricity.

3. Use fabric softener

Adding fabric softener to a wash load can help get rid of static on a sweater or other clothes. It works by adding a thin, invisible layer to the fabric fibers, which decreases friction between them during a drying cycle and potentially helps combat static while wearing clothes.

4. Do not add vinegar to the washing machine

Many sources will suggest adding vinegar to a wash load to reduce static. However, vinegar is acidic and can gradually damage certain components of your washing machine, particularly rubber parts. It can also be too harsh for some delicate fabrics or regular use. If you want to avoid using fabric softener, you can soak clothes in a diluted vinegar solution prior to washing. However, be sure to rinse your garments thoroughly before adding them to your washing machine. Always check your item’s care tag first.

5. Increase humidity

Maintain a higher humidity level in your laundry area, as dry air contributes to static electricity. You can introduce a humidifier to your laundry room or even add some houseplants, which can expel moisture into the air.

How to help prevent static in your dryer

The dryer is where static may form on clothes under the right conditions. To help remove static from the dryer, consider these effective methods. As always, defer to the instructions on your clothing’s care tag before taking any of the steps below to reduce dryer static.

1. Air dry clothes

Hang-drying prevents clothes from rubbing against each other and may remove less moisture vs. a drying cycle. Since friction and dryness are two main causes of static on clothes, air drying can be an effective way to help fix static in clothes.

2. Separate fabrics when drying

Be sure to sort your laundry. Dry synthetic items separately from natural fibers to help minimize electrostatic charges. Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester and nylon, tend to hold onto electric charges for longer periods compared to natural materials like wool or cotton. When these fabrics are dried together, the friction between them can lead to increased dryer static.

3. Avoid overdrying 

To help stop static in the dryer naturally, ensure clothes are not over-dried, as this can increase static. Remove them while still slightly damp if using a dryer. A sensor setting can help ensure the dryer stops at the right time. Select Whirlpool® Dryers feature Advanced Moisture Sensing, with sensors that detect both moisture and temperature to adapt drying times and help prevent overdrying.

4. Use wool or aluminum dryer balls

One way to naturally reduce static in the dryer without dryer sheets is to add antistatic wool dryer balls. Wool balls absorb moisture, creating a humid environment, and aluminum dryer balls help discharge static buildup and keep clothes separated.

5. Add a damp cloth

Place a damp washcloth or towel in the dryer for the last 10-20 minutes of the drying cycle. This adds moisture to the air, which helps get rid of static cling in clothes.

6. Use a steam dryer

Steam dryers include the option to add steam at ideal times in order to help fight wrinkles, odors and help remove static from a dress or other clothes. Adding steam at the end of a cycle can help reduce static cling by introducing humidity into the dryer. Explore dryer options from Whirlpool brand, including steam dryers.

7. Use static reducing cycles

Some dryers have features specifically designed to help get rid of static in pants and other laundry. Whirlpool brand’s Static Reduce Option helps decrease static by combining a mist of water with tumbling after the load is dry.

8. Shake out garments after drying 

Remove each garment one by one and give each a quick, stiff shake before folding or hanging. This action helps disrupt the buildup of electrical charges that occurs when fabrics rub against each other during the drying process, thereby minimizing static cling when you wear the items later.

9. Fold or hang clothes immediately

Help reduce the amount of friction on dried clothes by folding them or hanging them up right away. If you first pile clothes into a basket or on your folding table, they will rub against each other, potentially creating static cling.

Shop Whirlpool^® dryers

Care for your family’s clothes and help combat static in the dryer with select Whirlpool^® dryers. Shop models featuring the Static Reduce Option, which combines a mist of water with tumbling after the load is dry. Avoid overdrying your clothes with the Advanced Moisture Sensing on select models. Three sensors detect moisture and temperature and adapt drying times to help prevent overdrying.

How to release static from clothes while wearing

Sometimes, despite your best preventative efforts, static can form on clothes while you’re wearing them. A dry environment, friction and even dry skin are some culprits of staticky clothes. Thankfully, there are several effective methods if you’re wondering how to remove static from clothes while wearing them. Here are some techniques on how to remove static from clothes without washing them again.

1. Use anti-static sprays

Static sprays for clothes are formulated to help neutralize static electricity and prevent clothes from clinging while you’re wearing them. Simply spray the product on your garments before getting dressed or while you’re on the go.

2. Use a dryer sheet

Dryer sheets are designed to help eliminate static and leave your clothes smelling fresh. If you’re trying to figure out how to get rid of static on a shirt, for instance, try rubbing a dryer sheet over the static-prone areas of your clothing while you’re wearing them to help reduce or eliminate static cling.

3. Moisturize your clothes

Static is more likely to occur in dry air. Combat it with moisture. For instance, if you’re trying to stop a dress from clinging to your legs, lightly mist your garment with water or run a damp towel over the affected areas.

4. Moisturize your skin

If you’re wondering how to remove static from a dress or another garment in a pinch, try putting on some lotion. This increases moisture and may help prevent staticky clothes from sticking to you.

5. Try a humidifier

Increasing humidity in your home can help reduce static cling. Consider using a humidifier in your laundry area, especially during colder months when the air can be dry and static is more common.

6. Refresh clothes in the dryer 

Some dryers offer features to quickly remove static from clothes without washing them again. Whirlpool brand’s Steam Refresh Cycle, available on select dryers, uses water and heat to get clothes ready to wear without rewashing.

7. Rub a metal hanger on your clothes

A metal hanger can help remove static from clothes by discharging built-up static electricity. Simply run the hanger over the fabric to help get rid of static cling.

Shop Whirlpool^® washers

Care for your family’s clothes with Whirlpool^® washers that fit your lifestyle. Discover both top load and front load models equipped with features that help streamline your laundry routine like the Load & Go^™ Dispenser that automatically adds detergent to every load of laundry. Or shop the industry-first 2 in 1 Removable Agitator that lets you customize any load to care for your clothes the way you want by easily swapping the agitator post in or out.