Is Borax The Secret Solution To Removing Static Cling In Your Clothes?

Whether your hair is standing on end or you shock yourself every time you get out of the car, static is something that can make your life a little extra, well, shocking. You may also find that static cling is also causing your laundry to stick together — or even to you.

Traditionally, dryer sheets are used to help with static cling, but for many people, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — and the potential health impacts associated with them mean that dryer sheets are not an option. There are plenty of dryer sheet alternatives, but there is one that might already be in your cleaning supplies.

Borax — not to be confused with Boric acid — is a naturally occurring substance also known as sodium borate. Found at the bottom of the dry lake beds in Death Valley, it is used in toothpaste, cosmetics, and even glaze for ceramics. It can not only help boost the effectiveness of your laundry detergent, but it may also help prevent static cling.

As we mentioned before, Borax is a great tool to have on hand when you're doing laundry. Not only is Borax a healthier alternative to conventional dryer sheets, its natural alkalinity helps also break down acidic stains like tomato sauce, and it can even help boost bleach's effectiveness and make your whites whiter. (If you want even more tips on how to get out tough stains, check this article out.) What people may not know is that by adding 1/4th cup of Borax to a load of laundry, you may be cutting down on static cling as well.

Essentially, Borax improves the ability of surfactants — which cling to your clothing to coat it and disperse the static electricity that builds up during the drying process. So, if you have a box of Borax already hanging around the house, grab a scoop and add it to your next load of laundry to see how it works for you.