Homemade Antistatic Cleaners

Antistatic Spray

• Create your own homemade antistatic spray with items most people have on hand. Pour lukewarm water in a clean spray bottle and add 1 tablespoon of fabric softener to the spray bottle. After you have secured the lid back on the spray bottle, gently swirl the bottle for several seconds to mix the softener with the water. Lightly mist your home's upholstery and carpeting with the antistatic spray whenever static is present.

Homemade Dryer Sheets

• Instead of wasting money on both fabric softener and dryer sheets, purchase just fabric softener and make your own homemade dryer sheets using the softener. Cut old towels into strips about the size of a dryer sheet and mist both sides of the towel with a diluted solution of the fabric softener of your choose. A ratio of 3 to 4 tablespoons for a spray bottle full of water will work well and will last for several weeks without having to reapply the diluted fabric softener.

Fabric Softener Alternatives

• Fabric softener not only makes your cloths soft, it also helps reduce the amount of static that develops in the washing machine and dryer. However, a few cheaper alternatives will keep the static off your clothing. Adding 1/2 cup of white vinegar, borax or baking soda to the washing machine rinse cycle will help reduce static. In addition, you can replace expensive dryer sheets with a ball of aluminum foil to remove static from clothing in the dryer.

Static Removal Tips

• Static will occur when the humidity level in the home drops. To combat this process, add moisture to the air by running a humidifier. If you do not have a humidifier or do not want to purchase one, fill bowls with water and place them around the house. Another option is to add leafy houseplants — such as peace lilies, spider plants or ferns — to add moisture.