8 Natural Ways to Reduce Static Cling in The Laundry

Learn how to get rid of static cling naturally, without the use of harsh chemicals. These 8 simple and effective solutions will surprise you.

Are you trying to “green” your laundry routine, but still wondering how to get rid of static cling without using dryer sheets?

This is a common issue among our readers, and I can empathize. Dryer sheets used to be one of my favorite things and were hard to give up when I couldn’t find anything else that worked. But after learning about the dangerous bouquet of chemicals used to make dryer sheets, I determined to find alternatives that worked just as well.

These chemicals end up on our clean laundry and then on our skin. Studies show the numerous toxic ingredients used in scented laundry products like dryer sheets. These studies state some ingredients contain known carcinogens. (source)

Static can be an absolute non-issue in your natural laundry routine if you follow some of our following tips!

How to Get Rid of Static Cling Naturally

1. Hang Dry Your Clothes

When people ask me how to get rid of static cling, I always tell them that the BEST natural way to completely eliminate static in your laundry is to hang dry everything.  Obviously, it’s easier to dry clothes outdoors or in front of an open window, but even hanging them out in the cold seasons is beneficial. When hung to dry, clothes are no longer rubbing together to create static electricity.

Whether hanging it outdoors or indoors, you have several options. You can build your own outdoor clothesline, use a compact outdoor model that folds up (and can be taken out of the ground) when not in use, or dry indoors using a large rack or a smaller model.

When hang drying isn’t an option, and a dryer must be used, there are still several natural methods for how to get rid of static cling.

2. Dry Synthetic Fabrics Separately

Synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester are one of the main culprits of static cling. Dry them separately to avoid static on all your other clothing. Consider pulling synthetic fabrics out of the wash and hanging them on an indoor or outdoor rack instead of throwing them in the dryer with everything else.

3. How To Get Rid of Static Cling by Reducing Drying Time

Another common cause of static in the laundry is over-drying. When items are completely dry and no moisture remains, this invites static electricity into the mix. Allow clothes to dry and nothing more. Excessive tumbling around in the dry heat increases static and increases your energy costs.

4. Vinegar Fabric Softener

Our homemade fabric softener is made with vinegar. It actually serves double duty as a fabric softener AND static reducer in the laundry. When used in the rinse cycle of the wash, most people will see a reduction in static cling after clothes go through the dryer. Even if you plan to hang dry items, you won’t need to worry about them smelling like vinegar. When items are completely dry the vinegar smell will completely vanish. If you’re wondering how to get rid of static cling, this is a great place to start.

5. Wool Dryer Balls

If you haven’t yet looked into wool dryer balls as an alternative to fabric softeners and dryer sheets, you really should. These little wool balls absorb moisture from clothing in the dryer, maintaining a more humid environment, thus helping you get rid of static cling.

In addition to reducing static, they also reduce drying time and fluff clothes. We recommend using 6 or more in the dryer for the best results. You can learn how to make wool dryer balls or purchase them here. (We recommend buying 2 four packs.)

6. How To Get Rid of Static Cling with Vinegar in the Dryer

Using white vinegar in the dryer is another great trick for eliminating static. You can simply spray a clean washcloth, sock, pre-cut piece of cloth, or any other garment with vinegar. You then toss this item into the dryer with everything else. The vinegar in the dryer will keep static down – and remember, the vinegar smell will be gone once things are dry.

7. Soap Nuts

You can use soap nuts as a green alternative to commercial laundry detergents. They’re actually a type of berry that you can place in a muslin bag and toss directly into the wash. (You can also boil them down to make liquid laundry soap.) They already possess anti-static properties, so laundry you wash with soap nuts doesn’t require any other anti-static remedy.

Don’t know what soap nuts are? Read all about them here.

8. Aluminum Foil Ball

When first learning how to get rid of static cling I had great success with aluminum foil balls. Since then I have discovered all these other natural methods for reducing static.

Aluminum foil doesn’t contain chemical fragrances like dryer sheets. I recommend trying this to get rid of static cling after trying the other methods. To use, simply tear off a sheet of aluminum foil, roll it into a ball, and add it to the dryer. The same ball will last several loads and will become a nice, smooth ball after 1-2 loads. Replace when you notice it’s no longer working.

Do you know how to get rid of static cling in your laundry? What natural methods have you found work well?

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8 Natural Ways to Reduce Static Cling in The Laundry was written by Betsy Jabs.

* This article was originally published here