The first time I got a taste of static was in 1999. It was during my first visit to NYC, and true to form, the city greeted me not with open arms, but pulses of electricity. Everything zapped me — the hotel key card, cab doors, clothes hangers. For some, static is merely an annoyance. For wimpy me, it’s extremely painful.
In my six winters since I moved to the city, my struggles with static have only worsened. I’ve been reduced to tears by zaps from escalators, elevator buttons and my laptop on the airport security belt.
This winter, I vowed to find some fixes. Here are my battle-tested tips.
First, let’s talk about hair. Once I’m in dry air, my hair starts an ethereal, worm-like dance. I know, I know — the higher the hair, the closer to heaven. But I’d still like to lose the Medusa mane. I found my solution at Walgreens — the Magic Static Remover.
To get rid of hair static, just spray the aerosol solution toward your hair implement of choice — and then brush normally.
Pros? This stuff works. And it’s easy.
Cons? The “miracle” only lasts a couple of hours. I also have no clue if this stuff is damaging my hair. (If I go bald in the next month, I’ll be sure to warn you.)
Next up? Clothing. I’ve noticed that many of my blouses assume ghostlike properties in winter — static-charged sleeves suddenly inflate and drift toward the nearest metal surface. Two days ago, I had the unpleasant experience of peeling off a silk blouse that clinged to my torso as fiercely as as a dog grips its Milkbone.
The static spray insists it is safe to use on clothes, but I’m not entirely on board. Since silk blouses tend to be the most staticky — and most pricey — I am wary of spraying chemicals directly onto the fabric.
So I tried a more conventional approach: rubbing a dryer sheet on the clothes.
It took multiple swipes, but the silk eventually started behaving. Once I was done, the sleeve hung lifelessly as I hovered it near a metal door knob — exactly as it should.
Some extra tips:
- If you’re constantly zapped by door knobs, try rapping the knob with your knuckles before you reach with your fingers. This displaces the charge over a wider part of your body, weakening the zap’s impact. (Your knuckles are also less sensitive than your finger tips.)
- If you’re getting electrocuted by your metal cubicle drawers, keep your house keys on your desk. Every time you want to open your drawer, tap it with your keys first. This displaces the charge.
- Keep your home static-free by pumping up the humidity. This time of year, I use a humidifier religiously. This simple investment has made my home blessedly spark-free.
Do you have trouble with static? What are your coping mechanisms?