How to Get Rid of Static Around Your Home

Eliminate household static with a few simple tweaks.

Nathan Schroder

Feeling the buzz of a static shock can be a nuisance, whether it's from clothes, throw blankets, furniture, or anything else that gets static-y. If you're tired of experiencing those tiny shocks, you can reduce the static electricity in your home with just a few easy tweaks to your space.

What brings on a surge of static shock, to begin with? Thanks to an imbalance of electric charge on the surface of objects, you end up with static electricity. You may especially feel an uptick in static charges if you're in dry conditions or after walking on certain surfaces like rugs and carpets. Then, when you touch a metal, like a doorknob, you end up transferring electrons, which zaps you in return. Reducing static around your home is possible—and easy! Here's everything you need to know.

You can prevent static from building up in the first place simply by incorporating more cotton fabrics into all your home textile needs. "100% cotton fabrics are less likely to create static electricity compared to synthetic fibers," says Parima Ijaz, textile expert and founder of Pure Parima.

To limit static, consider making the swap when you can in every category—from your clothing to curtains to furniture and bed linens. And when it comes to bed linens especially, Ijaz recommends investing in Egyptian cotton sheets. Since this textile boasts a higher thread count and longer fibers than traditional cotton, you'll have a softer, more durable fabric on hand which is also better equipped to reduce friction (and, in turn, minimize static electricity).

Since dry air is a major cause of static electricity, "using a humidifier to maintain a higher level of humidity (ideally 30-50%) in your home can significantly reduce static," Ijaz says. To get the best effect, place humidifiers in rooms where you're experiencing the most static, like living rooms, bedrooms, and laundry spaces.

While using 100% cotton is a simple and effective way to get rid of static around your home, you can also try additional organic materials like wool, linen, and leather. Because these fabrics are made from natural fibers, they are less likely to generate static electricity. But if you can't skip synthetics altogether, opt for a blend like part polyester and part cotton fabrics, which will also help reduce static.

It's true that rubbing dryer sheets on your clothes can actually help neutralize their static cling. "You can even use dryer sheets on upholstered furniture and curtains to reduce static build-up," Ijaz says.

Another great trick to get rid of static around your home is to utilize static-eliminating sprays. These sprays are suitable for clothes, furniture, and many other fabric surfaces. You can opt for a store-bought solution or make your own right at home. "A homemade anti-static spray can be made by mixing water and a small amount of fabric softener in a spray bottle," explains Ijaz.

Did you know that dry skin can also contribute to static electricity? So, using moisturizers can help reduce the amount of static electricity your body generates. "Regularly applying hand lotion can minimize static when touching various surfaces," Ijaz says.

Try to also bring in conductive materials, like grounding wristbands or conductive mats in areas prone to static build-up. This technique will also help release static electricity safely, Ijaz explains. And, simply by walking barefoot or wearing leather-soled shoes, you can also reduce static accumulation, she says.

For stubborn static, use liquid fabric softener or dryer sheets during your laundry cycles. And for an extra static-reducing boost, drop in a couple of aluminum foil balls to your clothes during dry time.

For best results, be sure to separate your synthetic fiber items from your natural fiber pieces to avoid transferring electrostatic charges. Since synthetic fabrics are designed to wick moisture, they tend to dry faster regardless (which means you can avoid the dryer entirely and air dry each piece instead).

Upgrading your laundry machine-using strategies may help, but the dryer itself can be a static electricity powerhouse. So, when possible, skip your drying machine altogether and air dry your clothes instead. The best part? Air drying locks in moisture into your clothing and requires zero tumbling. This is key because when clothes rub against each other in a dryer, electrostatic charges increase too.

Just by keeping up with your monthly cleaning, you'll also be well on your way to effectively managing and reducing static around your home. Ijaz suggests regularly dusting your surfaces to reduce any static charge accumulation and using a vacuum cleaner with anti-static brushes.