The Science Behind Static Cling
To better protect your suit from static cling, but you must first understand the science behind this phenomenon. Static cling is the result of an object, such as your body or a suit, becoming electrostatically charged. It occurs when an object comes into contact object, and the two objects perform an exchange of positive and negative electrons. As the two objects exchange electrons in an attempt to balance themselves out, it creates static cling. Scientific jargon aside, static cling -- when speaking about suits and other garments -- occurs in dry environments when two fabrics rub against each other. Just like sliding your feet across hardwood floors, this creates friction. And when this friction occurs, the two fabrics exchange electrons, thereby creating the phenomenon that's known as static cling. You can see if your suit is suffering from static cling by plastic a thin, lightweight piece of fabric up to it. If your suit moves towards the fabric, and the fabric moves to your suit, it's electrostatically charged.Choose the Right Fabric
If you're worried about static cling affecting the appearance of your suit, you should check to see what fabric it's made of. Some fabrics are more likely to cause static cling than others. Static cling is more common in wool suits, for example, than cotton and linen suits. Wool is a preferred suit fabric among many men, partly because of its superior warmth and softness. A downside to wool suits that's often unnoticed, however, is an increased risk of static cling. To protect against static cling, avoid wearing a wool suit. Instead, choose a suit made of an alternative fabric, such as cotton, linen, tweed or corduroy.Beware of Dry Air
Although static cling can occur in just about any environment, it's far more likely to occur in environments with dry air. Granted, you can control the outdoor humidity level, or even the humidity level inside your workplace, but you can control the humidity level inside your home. If you store your suit in your bedroom closet, keep an eye on the humidity level. You can purchase a cheap indoor climate monitor that displays the temperature and relative humidity level of your home. When the relative humidity level drops below 50%, use a humidifier to increase it. Humidifiers are designed to raise the indoor humidity level by releasing moisture vapor into the air. As moisture is released, indoor humidity increases to a more appropriate level that's less likely to cause static cling with your suit. Of course, dry air is commonly associated with the winter season. During winter, the relative humidity level is generally lower than it is during spring, summer and even the first half of fall. Therefore, your suit and other garments are more likely to experience static cling during this time of year. You can't control the season, but you can take the necessary measures to protect your clothes from static cling during the winter, such as monitoring the relative humidity level and using a humidifier in your home to raise it.
