You have probably heard of Static Cling. It’s a phenomenon where light objects tend to stick together. It’s caused by static electricity, and it’s common in clothing and other items. Likewise, plastic items are susceptible to attracting dust.
What causes Static Cling?
Read on to find out how you can prevent it from happening to you! Here are some simple tips. But be aware that there is a solution.
1. Fabric Softeners
Fabric softeners can reduce static cling in the washing machine, but they can also contain toxins. Styrene are known carcinogen, and some fabrics have even been linked to neurotoxins. Tri-methyl-benzene, another common ingredient in fabric softener, is also a respiratory irritant.
Instead of using fabric softeners, try making your own at home! The recipe is easy to follow and requires only a few ingredients, including water. To make your clothes softer, use liquid fabric softeners. These liquids are sold in supermarkets, mass merchandisers, and drugstores.
In the United States, they are sold in a market worth more than $700 million a year. Most of these products are made by major manufacturers, with smaller, privately-branded brands occupying the rest of the market. Using fabric softeners is good for your clothes – as long as you use small amounts.
2. Dryer Sheets
When you’re trying to keep your clothes from clinging to each other, you might be looking for a way to combat static cling. Dryer sheets can help you get rid of static by releasing positively charged ions into the air while drying your clothes.
These ions are what are responsible for neutralizing the loose electrons on your fabric, reducing static cling. Dryer sheets also have fragrances. However, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) doesn’t require manufacturers to list these ingredients, so they are largely unregulated. Even one fragrance can contain hundreds of chemicals. Some synthetic musks are suspected of being carcinogenic and endocrine disruptors.
Some clothes have a positive charge, while others have a negative charge. As a result, negatively charged fabric attracts positively charged fabric. When this happens, the outer electrons separate and create a staticky sound. This is why dryer sheets are made to help reduce static cling and soften your clothes. But, how do they do that? Here are some of the top benefits of dryer sheets. You’ll be surprised by the difference!
3. Dust Accumulation
A charged object attracts dust from a distance of tens of centimeters. This cling occurs because dust grains have a negative charge that increases the attraction between them and an electrically charged surface. The more dust grains you have in the air, the more dust you will attract to that charged surface. Hence, the larger the dust grains are in the air, the higher the attraction. Therefore, dust will accumulate on an electrically charged surface.
The accumulation of dust is the result of triboelectric static electricity. The charge is caused by electrons that are exchanged between the surface of a plastic part and another object. The accumulation process begins during the manufacturing process and continues throughout its shipment, installation, and use. The positively charged plastic attracts the dust particles, resulting in the formation of a layer on the surface of the plastic in a matter of weeks.
4. Low Tack Adhesives
Static clings are adhesives that adhere products to surfaces without the need to re-apply adhesive. They’re popular with manufacturers of POP graphics and window graphics and are also useful for temporary indoor and outdoor signage.
Low tack static clings adhesives are available in matte white and are easy to install, remove, and reposition. They are highly flexible and can be used in many different environments. Low-tack static clings adhesive materials have many advantages. They’re easy to apply, don’t leave unsightly bubbles, and don’t affect the surface of the sticker.
They’re also easily removed without leaving any adhesive residue. Low tack adhesives are ideal for use in both commercial and residential applications. They stick to glass surfaces, vehicles, and more. They can even be printed on face-up.
5. Vinyl Decals
Why are static cling vinyl decals so effective?
The answer lies in air pressure. Vinyl decals cling to smooth surfaces because they have an adhesive that bonds to them permanently. Because they are permanent, they are ideal for long-term marketing purposes. This means you can’t simply peel them off later. Instead, they’ll stay put for years to come. Here’s how they work:
Static cling stickers have no adhesive, they’re best used indoors. In the case of outdoor applications, static cling stickers can be blown off easily if the surface is not clean enough. But they’re great for indoors, as they can be full-color and custom-shaped and are relatively inexpensive. So, when considering static cling stickers, consider the benefits of each:
6. Temporary Advertising
Designed for short-term promotions, static cling is an attractive way to promote your business or product. Because static cling is air-repellent, it sticks to any smooth surface. It also does not leave behind adhesive, making it an ideal temporary advertising option. Here are some ways you can use static cling:
Clear static clings are the most effective indoor advertising options. Because they are clear, they are visible to potential customers, even from outside the storefront. This offsets the issue of visibility when approaching customers. Because clings are not permanently attached to surfaces, they do not work on porous or non-smooth surfaces. Glass and metal surfaces are the best surfaces for static clings.
