Static shocks from freshly dried or folded laundry have a simple, cheap fix: aluminum foil. Placing a couple of foil balls in the tumble dryer captures the static electricity that builds up in synthetic fabrics as they rub together during washing and drying.
The jolt many people feel when pulling a shirt from the dryer or out of a wardrobe comes from synthetic fibers rubbing against each other during washing, which generates static electricity. The effect is stronger in summer, when dry air prevents electric charges from dissipating naturally, so they build up on the skin or on synthetic clothing instead. A telltale sign is hair standing on end after putting on a t-shirt, or lint and dust clinging to fabric more than usual.
How the aluminum foil trick works
To cut down on static, take two balls of aluminum foil, roughly the size of a tennis ball and not packed too tightly, and drop them straight into the dryer drum along with the clothes before starting a cycle. Aluminum is a strong conductor of both heat and electricity, so it draws off the static charge as the load tumbles. Clothes can then be taken out of the dryer without the risk of a small shock.
Foil balls can also be placed inside a wardrobe for extra protection, though this is less effective, since clothes sitting still in a wardrobe are not moving against each other and generate little to no static electricity in the first place.
Using foil to remove limescale from taps
Aluminum foil has other uses around the house beyond wrapping food. It can also be used to polish taps and remove limescale. Tear off a piece of foil, fold it over on itself, and dampen it lightly with water before rubbing it gently over the tap.
The chrome areas showing limescale marks should be targeted with circular motions, without pressing too hard. Once finished, residue should be rinsed off with clean water and the surface dried with a soft cloth. The chrome should regain its shine once fully dry.
