Static Situation Help, please

I also you softener sheets. Especially for electronic equipment. On my previous phone I zapped the speaker phone function when I picked up the phone the day after I got it. It can also fry computers.

But the cool thing we did 2 weeks ago, that has dramatically decreased static electricity, is we got a humidifier. I thought that thing just had an on and off switch and that Pete just had it running hard all the time. After 8 days it turned off and went quiet and I was afraid it was broken. No, it just had finally attained 48% humidity.

Your climate is probably not as dry as here, but a humidifier should help. The other BIG thing is to replace the damn plastic. At the very least put a good covering of cotton or wool on it. Not polyester, which is also plastic. A mat on the table, cushions on the chair.

Tina

Bradleys Bags has anti-static mats and other stuff for that sort of thing, if you need more than what's been offered up in the way of solutions so far. I also get my plastic and paper bags and things like that from them.

Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery

The visual of your little beads scooting away from the needle just tickled me ...little teeny voices crying.. heeeeelp... You might want to cover the table with something less staticy. My first choice would be cotton. Wool tends to get nice and sparky in dry winter. We kids used to run around in our stocking feet on the wool rugs we had to charge ourselves up, then slowly bring a charged finger up to a sibling to watch the flash of lightening. Very cool. Diana

and the hairs on my arms stand at attention whenever I'm working... Got any great ideas? Can I spray the plastic with cling-free or some similar thing? It's amusing, but kind of frustrating. I've nearly finished my brick stitch hummingbird!!>

hmm

what would happen if you rubbed them with one of those dryer sheets - the kind you throw in the dryer with your clothing so they won't be full of static?

Cheryl of DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass

Does real wool do that too? Most "wooly" rugs and blankets have synthetics in them. I must have been thinking of something more felted. (My old metal govt style desk is covered with a hand woven wool Indian rug, under flexiglass.)

Tina

I used those for a while, plus using 1 part fabric softener to 3 or 4 parts water sprayed on the rug near electrical appliances, but using natural fibers and adding moisture to the air is a better option. It corrects the cause instead of treating the symptoms.

Tina

Its possible that your wool goodies have more lanolin in them than the wool rugs we had? I wonder if that would make a difference. Ours were orientals... kind of a short plush? very pretty but lots of fun for studys in static electricity. We would turn out the lights to better see the lightening. We were easy to amuse. Diana

hummingbird!!

On Fri, 7 Nov 2003 20:40:51 -0500, Christina Peterson wrote (in message ):

It's far better for your health, too. Adding moisture to the air during the dry winter months is a very good way to keep your lungs clear and healthy.

non scientific anecdote: Since I got the heated humidifier for my CPAP, I am able to fight off colds much more easily. The moist air being pumped into my lungs and throat is very soothing, and seems to help me fight off infections. Since my colds invariably end up as pneumonia, I consider that a huge benefit.

Kathy N-V

OT, but can I ask what kind of humidifier you got? It rarely drops below

70% around here, but I would like one for the colder winter months while the heater is running (I think it will be necessary for our 5 computers, too!). That seems pretty cool that it runs until it reaches a set level; can you set it yourself, or is 48% the only setting on it? I'd DIE in only 48% humidity! LOL I got nosebleeds when I went back home last summer to 56% humidity;o) TIA:o)

Kyla, its often as low as 10% humidity here. I make a pot of soup every of fall winter and spring day just to help add a little moisture to the air! Sarajane

Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery

there are static mats and things for computers that you touch before you start working...I would look for workplace supplies (the warehouse type, or electronics supplies)

Mary

A big Thanks to all of you who responded. for the moment, wiping the table down with a dryer sheet seems to be working just fine. It *is* desert here, so I should not be surprised at the prevalence of static... just didn't expect it with the plastic tables, for some reason. I appreciate all your ideas and input. thanks again beth

Any sort of plastic is bad for creating static. Metal will conduct and disburse it, but doesn't cause it.

Tina