Quick Fixes for Static in Your Home

Anyone who has ever been out and about to the grocery store has experienced the same obnoxious little occurrence. Static charge. Getting “shocked” every time you reach down to grab a cart can be frustrating, but do you know what’s worse? When static electricity invades your home! Do your wrestle with frequent static shocks and charges in your Greater Lehigh Valley home? Well, the experts at Jack Lehr Heating, Cooling & Electric have some solutions that just might leave you “shocked” (or rather “unshocked”, hopefully)!

What Exactly Is Static Charge?

Don’t worry, we won’t go too deep into the science lesson, but a little understanding can go a long way!  Put simply, static charge is the result of electrons (a negative charge) gathering and collecting on a surface, such as your leather shoes, or a  particularly dry surface. This charge will stick around until grounded and negated by something such as metal. This is that “shock” you experience every now and again.

Static: Common Causes and Quick Fixes

There are a few reasons for static. For instance, we mentioned leather, which carries a natural negative charge. These easily generate static on surfaces such as nylon, found in carpets. But the real dominating factor, and why you seem to encounter more static in winter is this: dry things generate and attract electrons. This is why you get so much static when drying clothes! So how do you get rid of static? Easy:

• Employ the use of humidifiers. Whether you use a commercial-quality humidifier, or just a pot of boiling water on the stove, introducing adequate moisture to the air in your home drastically reduces static buildup, and prevents it from causing you trouble.
• Wear less synthetic materials. We’ve got nothing against synthetic clothing materials at all, but the fact is they hold onto static more readily than, for instance, cotton. However, this doesn’t apply to every “natural” material, as anyone who has ever worn fleece on a leather couch can attest to!
• Prepare carpets. Carpets are a hotbed of static activity, but with the right precautions you can get rid of static lurking in your floors. There are commercial products available in aerosol cans that reduce static, but if you’re thrifty, or just need a quick fix, rub dryer sheets on your carpets. As a preventative measure, placing cotton throw rugs over places you walk frequently can do wonders.
• Avoid rubber soles. When in your home, particularly in carpeted areas, take off rubber-soled shoes. Rubber is a very strong insulator, which means it readily carries static with each and every step you take.
• Moisturize. Just like the dry air, your dry skin can become an electron storage facility with a quickness. Especially during colder months, keep your skin in good condition with a moisturizer to get rid of static.

Tips, Solutions and Service in the Greater Lehigh Valley with Jack Lehr

At Jack Lehr, we always strive to bring our consumers the very best we can provide, whether it be a quick tip, or a home heating and cooling overhaul. We are dedicated to your complete satisfaction, and we never give up until our work is done! Contact us today to learn more about our heating, cooling and electrical services, and for more tips, tricks and ideas, keep up with our blog!