Electrically charged sofa? You can do something about it.
Is yours always getting an electric shock? Then you've come to the right place. We'll show you why and how to avoid electric shocks in the future.
Electrically charged furniture – what's behind it?
You probably know it: you're sitting on the couch and you get a swipe. These mini-current strikes can be quite uncomfortable. If the whole thing happens in the dark, there can even be a visible spark. But why can furniture and other objects be completely static?
There are several reasons behind this.
- Dry air: A common cause of static electricity is dry air. Normally, positive and negative charges across moisture in the air can be balanced. However, if the air becomes too dry, which is often the case in winter, this balancing can no longer occur, and sparks can fly.
- Friction: In everyday life, static electricity often leads to buildup. Not only does friction occur when the sofa is sticky, which can cause minor electric shocks, but also when you simply walk around your living room.
- Material: Of course, the material also influences whether something can accumulate static electricity. Non-static materials include plastics and rubber. Synthetic chemical fibers, on the other hand, are quite susceptible and therefore more susceptible to static electricity.
Our tips against static charging
Of course, we know many useful tips on how to avoid unpleasant sparks – so watch out for:
Use dryer sheets
Wiping the sofa with a dry cloth is probably the easiest way to combat static electricity. Dryer towels are actually meant for tumble drying and give your laundry a fresh scent. However, because they also have an excellent effect on static electricity, they're perfect for a little "sofa deterioration."
Increase humidity
Have you ever noticed your sofa giving you electric shocks, especially in winter? Static electricity can build up much more easily in dry heating air.
To increase the humidity in your home, you can use a humidifier, for example. But it's also simpler: a few plants in the room can significantly increase the moisture content of the air.
Sofas usually become significantly charged immediately after vacuuming. By simply misting your sofa with a spray bottle, you can effectively prevent electrical discharges and thus electric shocks.
Antistatic sprays
Some upholstery furniture already has antistatic components incorporated into the fabric, but this is certainly not the case. Antistatic sprays are a super simple solution for anyone who wants to reliably rid their sofa of any charge.
Simply spray the sofa from about 30 cm away and let it dry. Afterward, the sofa is ready for immediate use, and the electrostatic charge is history.
Make your own antistatic spray
By the way, you can also easily make your own antistatic spray. For this, you'll need the following:
- 1 spray bottle
- 1 teaspoon fabric softener
- 1 cup of water
Simply mix fabric softener and water, and you're ready to go. Shake the solution well before use. Also, keep a safe distance from the sofa with the homemade spray to prevent staining.
Uncharged surfaces with metal discharges
Another easy tip you can implement at home to de-stress your sofa: clip a piece of metal clothing or another metal object and spread it across the sofa's surfaces. You'll find that some of the metal helps rebalance the charges.
With these simple tricks you can easily prevent electric shocks.
Want more tips?
- Running barefoot prevents sparks. Electrostatic discharge is favored by rubber soles and socks. On the other hand, if you're barefoot, sparks can't fly.
- Apply moisturizer regularly. Dry skin tends to trigger an electric shock. Especially during the winter months, you should moisturize your skin well.
- Add 50 ml of baking soda to your washing powder to prevent static charging.
- Using fabric softener, dryer balls, a ball of aluminum foil, or a damp washcloth in the dryer are also considered secret weapons against electrostatic charging.
- Pay attention to the materials of your clothing. Cotton or other natural materials are less inviting than nylon or other synthetic fibers.
One thing is certain: with these simple tips and tricks, those annoying electric shocks won't stand a chance. 😉
So you can enjoy your sofa again without a care in the world – without a spark.
