How to Dry Clothes Without Building Static

Dryer Sheets

• You can use dryer sheets to prevent your clothes from clinging together in the dryer. Dryer sheets are treated with fabric softener and carry a positive electron charge. The motion and heat of the dryer releases the fabric softener, which coats all the negatively-charged clothes in the dryer and gives them a positive charge. Because there are no opposite electron charges, there is no static electricity generated and your clothes won't stick together.

Fabric Softener

• Fabric softener added to the final rinse of the washing cycle works in much the same way as dryer sheets. Fabric softeners, which are waxy solutions distantly related to soap, add moisture and coat your clothes with positively-charged electrons while they are still in the washer. Static occurs only after the clothes are completely dry, so using fabric softener in the washing machine prevents static buildup in the dryer by keeping the clothes humidified and free of negative electron charges before they get to the dryer.

White Vinegar

• There is some concern that dryer sheets and fabric softeners contain harsh chemicals, such as benzyl alcohol and chloroform, which may be harmful over time. If this bothers you, try using distilled white vinegar to reduce static. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to the wash or rinse cycle in the washing machine. White vinegar is mildly acidic and works as a natural fabric softener to eliminate static cling in the dryer. However, don't add bleach to the wash if you are going to use white vinegar because when mixed together, the two solutions produce harmful fumes.

Other Tips

• The drier your clothes get in the dryer, the more apt they are to produce static. You can help reduce static by setting your dryer to the lowest heat setting, adding a damp washcloth to keep the air humid and removing your clothes before they are completely dry. Another way to get rid of static in the dryer is to wash and dry clothes of similar fabrics together. Wash cotton and other natural fabrics together, and wash synthetics with other synthetics. Better yet, keep clothes containing synthetics, such as rayon and nylon, out of the dryer completely by hanging them on a rack to air dry.