We’ve all felt it—that quick but painful zap of static electricity, perhaps after walking across carpeting and reaching for a doorknob, or maybe when we put our arms around a loved one to offer a hug. Unfortunately, static electricity is a fact of life, especially in the drier winter months.
We generate static electricity through friction caused by our body movements while wearing clothing or footwear made of wool, fleece, flannel, vinyl, rubber, or synthetic material. Dry air also contributes to an individual’s electrostatic buildup, which means living in dry climates or exposure to dry indoor heat from a home or a car can make people feel like they possess a static superpower. With just one touch of a fingertip, a supercharged person can emit a blue-white static-electric bolt strong enough to be visible in the dark—an unsettling sight to even the most sensible individual.
Are some of us more inclined to generate static electricity than others? Is it physically possible for one person to be more charged than another? Not really—though there are people out there who are convinced of their static-electric abilities. I recently read about a man who carries around a three-inch metal nail in his pocket to discharge his electrostatic buildup.
For us average static-electricity generators, though, carrying around a metal nail might seem excessive for our needs. But when the arrival of dry winter air is imminent, there are five key areas we can pay attention to so that we’re armed against getting zapped simply by turning a doorknob or getting out of a car.
1. Hair
Though sporting a knitted hat all day long might be regarded as fashion-forward on some occasions, a hat is not the answer to the static-cling problem. Don’t resign yourself to this quick hair fix because static cling is bringing you—and your hair—down.
It’s all about moisture content. Dry air can suck all the moisture out of our hair, so fight back by using a good daily conditioner. Also, try using a deep conditioner about once a week. Remember not to overcondition hair, or it will go limp and become unmanageable. To remove product buildup and environmental pollutants (because our hair is like an air filter), use a clarifier every other week.
2. Clothing
Unless you live near the equator (where clothing doesn’t amount to much), you will at some point in your life experience static buildup from your shirt, pants, socks, jacket, or sweater. And the more clothing you wear, the more friction and static buildup occur. So winter months and those additional layers create the perfect scenario for a clinging polyester-pant leg or a misbehaving silk blouse.
Carrying around a dryer sheet and rubbing it over your clothing helps get rid of static buildup. So does regularly moisturizing your skin, which, like your hair, gets all its moisture sucked out by the dry winter air. So right next to that dryer sheet in your purse or pocket, carry a small tube of body lotion.
3. Home
During the winter, it seems as if static electricity is hiding in every corner of our home. Using a dehumidifier to stabilize the moisture content in the air helps decrease the frequency of static zaps. Another alternative is to have a carpet cleaner apply an antistatic treatment to your carpets. Try to avoid shuffling, dragging, or sliding around your home, as that will certainly result in electrostatic buildup.
4. Car
I know that I’m speaking for more than just an idle few when I say that getting zapped when exiting a car can be one of the most excruciating experiences in life. In my head, I liken the situation to an invisible static-electric charge pulsating around the perimeter of the car that’s discharged the moment I touch the door handle. Ouch.
To avoid this shocking scenario, try rubbing a dryer sheet over the seats and floor mats. This will decrease the friction and any static buildup you or your passengers create. Be mindful of how you exit the car, and grip the metal frame of the open door or car roof for a couple of seconds before letting your feet touch the ground. Having your hand on the car frame when you get up lets the static discharge more slowly and lessens the potency of that zap.
