How to Get Your Couch to Stop Shocking You

If your couch has shocked you on more than one occasion, you probably feel a twinge of anxiety each time you touch the upholstery. Some fabrics, including synthetic materials and carpet, increase the likelihood that you’ll feel a shock from static electricity. Although the charge generates sufficient voltage to cause discomfort, static electricity doesn’t carry a high enough current to physically harm anyone. Static qualifies as a painful nuisance, but you needn’t buy a new sofa to tame the sparks.

Antistatic spray
Cotton slipcover or blanket
Natural-fiber clothing
Humidifier or indoor water fountain
Hand moisturizer
Live plants

Instructions

- 1
  Spritz antistatic spray on both the upholstery and the carpet around the sofa. Hold the can 6 to 10 inches away from the surface. Use the spray every three months or as necessary.
- 2
  Cover the upholstery with a cotton slipcover or sofa-size blanket. Natural fibers greatly reduce static electricity.
- 3
  Dress in linen, cotton, silk or ramie clothes around the house. Avoid wearing polyester, nylon or acrylic clothing when sitting on the couch. Choose cotton or bamboo-fiber socks instead of conventional slippers and shoes, as the soles often incite static.
- 4
  Install a humidifier or use an indoor water fountain in the room. Run the humidifier when the heat is on during cold months.
- 5
  Keep your hands hydrated with a creamy moisturizer, which should help thwart any charges that exist on the couch.
- 6
  Grow large, verdant plants in the room and water the soil often. Moisture is the enemy of static electricity, as the presence of water prevents static buildup. Carpet and upholstery assimilate moisture from any water source in the room.

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