Dryer sheet conundrum

December 27, 2006 10:04 AM

How can I prevent/elminate static cling without dryer sheets?

My in-laws don't use dryer sheets. I can't stand static cling. I cannot leave this house. We have most normal household items (sans dryer sheets!).

posted by gregoryc to Home & Garden (12 answers total)

You can lightly mist your dried clothes with water from a spray bottle, mix them around a bit, then spread them out on a bed to air dry. Light and even spraying is the key.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 10:07 AM on December 27, 2006

They sell spiky plastic balls that are said to prevent static cling when thrown in the dryer, and I've heard you can get the same effect by tossing a sneaker in the dryer with your clothes. I guess it bounces around enough that it breaks up the static. It would also be really loud, though, and you'd have to make sure it was clean so it didn't dirty up your newly-washed things.
posted by christinetheslp at 10:08 AM on December 27, 2006

Add fabric softener (if you have it) to your wash load.
posted by amyms at 10:12 AM on December 27, 2006

Oh, and I just found this household tip...

Putting one half cup of borax or one half cup of vinegar, in the machine during the wash and rinse cycle, is a tried and tested home remedy to get rid of static cling in your clothes. Source
posted by amyms at 10:15 AM on December 27, 2006

Rubbing hand lotion on pantyhose legs while wearing them will eliminate static so that skirts don't cling.

A small safety pinned to the seam of your skirt/ dress

a silky slip

hairspray
posted by brinkzilla at 10:23 AM on December 27, 2006

You can also get your own dryer sheets and rub them on the inside of your clingy clothes, or the outside of your socks.
posted by redfoxtail at 10:25 AM on December 27, 2006

a little baby powder between you and the offending layer (works with tights and skirts)
posted by coevals at 10:39 AM on December 27, 2006

Use 1/4 cup of vinegar in your rinse cycle. Also see more tips here.
posted by hooray at 10:57 AM on December 27, 2006

Oh, huh, I bet you mean that you literally can't leave the house -- you're snowed in, or something? In which case the suggestions about obtaining spiky balls and other ways of using dryer sheets aren't much help. Sorry.
posted by redfoxtail at 11:21 AM on December 27, 2006

apparently touching staticky clothes with a wire coat hanger takes static away. maybe that's also the logic behind the "safety pin on the inner hem" strategy that brinkzilla mentioned.
posted by twistofrhyme at 11:33 AM on December 27, 2006

I use Downy fabric softener balls (not dryer balls) for delivering softener during the rinse cycle without needing to be there. Softener literally lubricates your clothes so the static charge won't build up.

Useful links:

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_175.html
http://www.downy.com/en_US/products/downyball.jsp
posted by chairface at 12:51 PM on December 27, 2006

Don't run your dryer so long. Static build-up occurs when clothes are tumbled when dry.
posted by kc0dxh at 1:30 PM on December 27, 2006