Static Cling
Static is known to build-up both in the dryer and in-wear when fabric fibers rub together generating friction. As a result of the friction between fibers, electrons are transferred across surfaces resulting in an attractive force around the surrounding space.
When you pull the clothes apart, you can actually hear the snap of electric charges. This can be a sticky problem, but there are several easy and effective ways to combat static in your laundry.
Dryer Sheets
The traditional way to combat static cling has been to use dryer sheets. These are disposable fabric sheets that have been coated with softener and anti-static materials. When the sheets become hot in the dryer, this coating transfers from the sheets to the surface of the clothing, preventing static cling.
Liquids
Some liquid fabric softeners also help to get rid of static cling. These products usually have to be added to the final rinse cycle of your washing machine, or dosed automatically through the washing machine dispenser or fabric softener ball.
Other Options
All-natural anti-static sheets are available in some stores and can eliminate static cling. These unique dryer sheets are somewhat pricey, but are reusable, with some lasting up to 500 loads.
Another option to reduce static cling is “dryer balls.” These lightweight rubber balls, roughly the size of baseballs, are sold in pairs. Surface nodules keep clothes fluffed while tumbling in the dryer. The balls are reusable and, according to manufacturers, can last years. Dryer balls are not recommended for silks or other delicate fabrics.
If you don’t want to use anything in your dryer, there are commercial sprays available that eliminate static cling after the fact.
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Tips & Tricks
Many stains are more likely to be removed entirely if soaked in cold water before it has had time to set.
If in doubt, test your color garment for colorfastness – apply warm water to an inconspicuous part (inside of the hem, for instance), then press this part with a warm iron between two pieces of white cloth.
To protect your favorite garments, try turning them inside out before washing.
Use a partitioned laundry basket to sort your laundry as you remove it.
Overloading your washing machine could mean that your clothes don’t properly get clean.
White streaks of powder left behind on your clothes due to undissolved detergent are usually caused by overloading your machine, and can be removed with an additional rinse cycle.
Washing much smaller loads on non-cotton cycles to give more freedom of movement in the drum and result in better cleaning.
Using too little detergent can cause whites to become dingy as there are insufficient ingredients to hold soils in the water so they don’t redeposit on the garments.
Overdosing in a soft-water area can lead to “oversudsing” which, in extreme cases, can mean suds come out of the machine.
Always check the fabric care label for the manufacturer’s washing recommendations.
Some dyes will bleed even in very cold water, so always sort your washing into light colors, dark colors, whites, and delicates.
To compensate for washing at lower temperatures, try using a Cotton (most agitation) or Synthetic cycle, if the garment care label allows. There are also detergents specially designed to work in cold water.
Whenever possible, dry your clothes outside on a line; you could see significant energy savings.
Make sure to close all zippers, fasteners, and hooks to prevent and reduce abrasion of fabric and consider placing delicate items into mesh laundry bags.
To pre-treat stains, apply undiluted laundry detergent directly onto stained areas. For best results, allow product to sit on stain for a few minutes, scrub product into stain, then wash.
When adding chlorine bleach, always use the bleach dispenser on your washer to ensure that it is added at the right time in the wash cycle. If your machine does not have a dispenser, add chlorine bleach at the end of the wash cycle.
Check garment care labels for recommended wash temperature.
For all HE washers, make sure to use a low-sudsing HE detergent.
Use the right amount of detergent. Follow package directions carefully. For heavily soiled and/or large loads, use more detergent.
If you do not have a detergent dispenser on your machine, add the detergent while the washer fills with water, ensure the detergent has dissolved, then add the clothes.
Keep your washing machine free of residues by running a monthly wash cycle with Tide Washing Machine Cleaner.
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