Handy Hints for Wednesday ~ 11
On Monday I had a twitter request about Static in Clothing. With more and more manmade fabrics about nowadays static can prove a big problem.
Fabric conditioners added to a wash will minimize static cling as well as making the clothes soft and fluffy.
Supermarket brand tumble dryer sheets will work along with heat to remove static electricity from clothing.
Synthetic carpets and composition soles in shoes both add to the problem. I found that by removing my shoes and standing outdoors for a few minutes helped the static to drain away!
Don’t throw the used sheets away as they are still very useful. Why not store them in a box for reuse. When sewing run the threaded needle through a used dryer sheet to prevent static tangles in the thread
Burnt on food on a casserole dish or sauce pan? Fill with hot water and place a used dryer sheet in it and leave to soak over night. The food will wash off like magic the next day.
Do you use tea bags? Don’t throw them out when the tea is finished, instead store them in a box in the fridge and use them to treat puffy eyes. Lie back for ten minutes with the cold teabags on your eyes and let them work their magic.
Do you have a fine chain necklace? Always fasten the clasp to prevent tangles. If it is already tangled then use two sewing needles to pull the links apart very gently.
Darren said,
January 21, 2009 at 8:43 am
When we arrived home last week, Lottie’s mum had washed all of our towels for us. Instead of their usual coarse roughness, they were fluffy and soft, even the older ones.
It seems that she dries them on a clothes line and just before they’re completely dry, she puts them in the tumble dryer for a short while. Luvly!
Baino said,
January 21, 2009 at 8:57 am
If you’re wearing static trousers, rub body lotion on your legs and they won’t cling. Works with skirts too (only on bare legs)
Grannymar said,
January 21, 2009 at 9:41 am
@Darren - Be careful, the dryer sheets can cause a build-up on towels that can make them feel slippery and they won’t absorb the moisture so well. Line drying is great for towels. If you must tumble dry them, then only use the dryer sheets every 3rd or 4th time.
@Baino - Thanks for that suggestion, I must give it a go!
steph said,
January 21, 2009 at 11:28 am
Grannymar,
Lottie’s Mum has the right combination for soft towels, with no dryer sheet needed.
Wind + final ‘fluff-up’ in tumble dryer = luvly soft towels for Darren
If I turn up in Cork with tea stained eyes, can I blame you?
Grannymar said,
January 21, 2009 at 11:44 am
Steph,
You can arrive in your PJs if you want….. but I’ll refuse to sit with you on the plane!
steph said,
January 21, 2009 at 11:55 am
Grannymar,
You could always wear your pyjamas too…
Once a Nordsider, always a Nordsider!
Grannymar said,
January 21, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Steph,
Buy…but I’ll have a carriage!
kenju said,
January 21, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Good tips, Grannymar. I’ve already used the needles on my chain necklace and it works!
TheChrisD said,
January 21, 2009 at 4:49 pm
I think with the amount of tea-bags we go through here, we could open up an eye treatment salon…
Grannymar said,
January 21, 2009 at 4:59 pm
@Judy - I am always happy when someone confirms my suggestions.
@ChrisD - Glad you managed to get through this time. Apologies for the problems in the past few days.
With all those tea bags you are assured of wonderful eyes!
Magpie11 said,
January 21, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Tea bags are good for tired eyes …and yes I am a bloke and I have used them..but I prefer Cucumber. I can eat it afterwards if I want to
I have also used tea bags as little planting packs for seeds.
Terri nappies have to be dried on the line, and are best after a frosty day! And it uses less power…less CO2….cheaper!
Any idea what is in those drying sheets? I use bicarb or washing soda to loosen burnt on food.
Nick said,
January 21, 2009 at 9:21 pm
I’d like a cure for personal static. Right now I’m always getting shocks off the kitchen tap and sometimes it’s so bad I get shocks off practically everything.
Grannymar said,
January 21, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Nick,
At last you can see my blog, sorry for all the problems.
About the static - I feel your pain. I used to suffer like you, years ago every time I shook hands, touched a door handle or tap I got a shock!
The first thing suggested to me was not to shuffle my feet or drag them along the floor. I thought I lifted my feet as my mother told me to do for years.
The second suggestion was the one mentioned above -
I found that by removing my shoes and standing outdoors for a few minutes helped the static to drain away! it always worked for me.
Leather shoes and cotton or woolen socks rather than synthetic also helps.
Grannymar said,
January 22, 2009 at 12:14 am
Magpie,
I missed you there. Was distracted by a Toyboy, well that is my excuse!
Never thought of tea bags as mini planters!
Do people use terry nappies nowadays?
I have no idea what’s in those dryer sheets. I must have a look at the box.
wisewebwoman said,
January 22, 2009 at 6:20 am
I agree, GM, it is all the synthetics that cause static buildup. I find being barefoot on tile floor for a while before hitting the carpeting helps - much like your hint. Glad I can see your blog again!!!
XO
WWW
Nick said,
January 22, 2009 at 8:29 am
Touching a wet cloth always discharges the static. If only I knew how to stop it building up in the first place!
Grannymar said,
January 22, 2009 at 1:21 pm
@WWW - I hated when I removed a jumper over my head and my hair crackled and stood on end or wanted to stick to the fabric!
@Nick - I did some research (read Google) and came up with some help!
I hope it works for you.