Static Cling

We've all heard about static cling on clothes, but what is it exactly? Static cling is the tendency for clothes to cling together when they come out of the dryer. Static cling also makes clothes attract dust and hair, makes them harder to fold once they are clean, and is in general just very annoying!

What Causes Static Cling in the Dryer?

The tumbling action of the dryer causes fabrics to rub against each other and build up the electrostatic charges that generate static cling.

You've probably noticed that static cling is much worse in the winter than summer months. Static electricity is formed more easily when the air is dry or the humidity is low. When the air is humid, water molecules can collect on the surface of various materials and prevent the buildup of electrical charges. Dryers are a perfect environment for static cling to form.

What can I do about it?

Other than line drying your clothes, use wool dryer balls! Dryer sheets and fabric softener are the traditional solution to the problem but they have huge drawbacks: dryer sheets are single-use plastics loaded with harmful chemicals that transfer to your clothes and are absorbed by your skin, and liquid fabric softeners contain the same toxic chemicals and the bottles are a large source of plastic waste ( which is not recyclable as you may think it is! )

Friendsheep Eco Dryer Balls are a natural, eco-friendly alternative that not only helps with wrinkles and static cling, but they also reduce drying time by up to 40% saving you time and money!

How to use Friendsheep Eco Dryer Balls to eliminate static cling?

USE ALL 6 DRYER BALLS.

To reduce static and maximize the effect of your Friendsheep Eco Dryer Balls it's always better to use all 6 balls all the time with any load - small or large. A larger number of dryer balls will help separate clothes in the dryer and things will dry faster. Every Eco Dryer Ball can be used 1000+ times (2-4 years), so it's okay to use all 6 all the time.

DO NOT OVER DRY YOUR CLOTHES.

Since most of the static cling comes from over drying, the first thing to do is to check your dryer settings. Every dryer is different so sometimes we have to play a little bit with ours to find the right setting and not over dry fabrics. 

USE A MOISTURE SENSITIVE SETTING.

The best way to go is a moisture sensitive setting, or setting the drying time 5-10 minutes shorter than usual and then adjusting it from there. Keep in mind that to avoid static your laundry should always contain some humidity at the end of the drying cycle. One of the reasons why dryer balls help with static cling is because they absorb humidity at the beginning of your cycle and then release it during the drying cycle. But since dryer balls also cut down the drying time, you will have to stop your drying cycle a little earlier than usual or, if you use a moisture sensitive setting, you should be sure to set the humidity sensor on medium or low (also make sure that the sensor is clean). Otherwise, your dryer will keep sensing humidity and dry your clothes - which are already dry - in the attempt to completely dry your dryer balls.

DO NOT OVER LOAD THE DRYER.

It's also important to not overload the dryer. If the dryer is too full there is no room for the balls to do their job - bounce and separate the clothes - so that air can flow better and dry everything faster and more evenly.

SEPARATE SYNTHETIC AND NATURAL FIBERS.

It’s very useful to keep your synthetic and natural fibers separated when drying, because synthetic fibers cause most of the static cling. So in general, dry natural fabrics together, and synthetic fabrics together, always making sure to not over dry either of them.

If possible, it's better to hang dry those synthetic fabrics and eliminate the problem, but of course this is time consuming to do - and sometimes downright impossible. 

When you find that sweet spot on your drying settings you shouldn't experience any more static cling.

Any other eco-friendly tips?

In case your trusty dryer balls are not enough - for example because you are drying a load full of synthetic fibers or you live in a very dry climate - there are several other eco-friendly ways to reduce static cling and maximize softness.

• Try adding two aluminum foil balls in the dryer or secure two safety pins to two dryer balls. The metal will help reduce static cling. 
• Use white distilled vinegar. This will reduce static cling and add softness to your clothes. There are two ways of using distilled white vinegar for this purpose.
• 1. Add half a cup of vinegar to your rinse cycle in the washer. This will also have the advantage of leaving your clothes extra soft - don't worry, the smell goes away completely when your clothes dry!
  2. Add vinegar directly in your dryer. Sprinkle some distilled white vinegar on your wool dryer balls - a tablespoon of vinegar on one ball is enough. Or sprinkle some distilled white vinegar on a piece of fabric and throw it in with the rest of your laundry.
• Use baking soda. Some people like to also add half a cup of baking soda together with the vinegar in the washing machine. This will boost cleanliness and maximize softness.
  
  

Here you go! Armed with your Friendsheep Eco Dryer Balls and these pro tips you are ready to naturally take on static cling and defeat it once and for all!

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