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How do you reduce static cling in pants and skirts? Reader K wonders…Wondering how to deal with unlined pants & trouser socks (or long underwear, for that matter) such that the pants don't get all bunchy and sticky, especially for wider-leg trousers. Are you just going to have to resign to have a certain amount of clinginess to your lower legs if you're wearing trouser socks, or are some silkier than others/are there other products out there that function the same as a slip? Static is one issue, but fabric on fabric is what seems to be causing me the most trouble.Wow — I had no idea before I looked into this a bit how many interesting techniques are out there. For starters, I will say that I haven't had this problem too much in the winter, perhaps because I've often worn silk long johns beneath unlined wool pants (with trouser socks, if any, below those) — in these nasty days I have to sing their praises again; they're super warm when you're outside but not noticeable at all when you're inside. (I also often tend to wear boots in the winter with pants, and generally switch from trouser socks to regular (often silly) socks such as those from HotSox and HappySocks.) A few tips from the interwebs:
- Rub the garments against a wire hanger first to get rid of the charge
- Pin a metal safety pin on the inside of your pants or skirt to help get rid of the charge
- Use a specialty product like Static Guard Spray
Julia
Before I put them on, I turn my pants or skirt inside out and spray with static guard. Lasts all day. Works like a charm.
tesyaa
+1. I have been using Static Guard for 35 years or so. It’s the best.
Frugal doc.....
+1
I sometimes spray my comb as well to take care of static head hair.
I will try using a wire hanger to discharge… So simple, and less toxic!
TBK
Sounds like static cling isn’t her big issue; it’s the pants catching on the fabric of the long underwear/socks.
k-t
I detest the smell of Static Guard, so that isn’t an option for me.
After I put lotion on my hands, I’ll run them along along my tights or socks. Will also swipe my hair. That bit of moisture seems to help.
If I could remember more from middle school science class, I’d be able to tell you which combinations are more prone to static, but it didn’t stick with me. My biggest challenge is when I get out of the car. Something about the down coat, leather seat and wool clothing makes a huge spark when I close my door.
New Associate
TJ: I’d like to start making more than the minimum payment on my student loans. However, my lender specifically says that “We always apply additional payments to any interest that has accrued to date and then to your principal balance.” Should I just go ahead and pay extra? Does it make sense to make the additional payment immediately after my minimum payment is deducted (direct deposit= interest rate deduction) so that barely any interest has accrued and the payment goes mostly to principal? Any advice or help is much appreciated!
AIMS
It depends on your lender but you should basically pay extra immediately after your direct deposit is applied and add a direction along the lines of “do not advance. apply excess to principal.”
Call them to figure out the best way to do it. It’s very absurd but they basically go out of their way to make it difficult to pay extra.
New Associate
Is it possible that they can simply refuse to apply an additional payment to principal rather than interest?
AIMS
Probably not. But what they can do is make it such a hassle that you just give up. But don’t give up!
AIMS
I should add that based on their policy as your quote it, this is why it’s important to do the extra payment on the same date as your monthly payment – so you avoid have as much of the extra go to interest as possible.
Sydney Bristow
If your lender is Sallie Mae, in my experience there is no way around it regardless of how you make the payments. They will also always advance your due date even if you instruct them not to and you’ll have to call them to put it back. But yes, it’s still worth it to pay extra.
purse help
It’s not so much that my purse needs help, but I need help finding something to put into it.
I amass folded papers (recipes, bills I need to pay, random notes, paystubs, notepads, etc) in my purse, along with various and sundry other things, and I want to find a way to corral the chaos.
I carry an XS Timbuk2 messenger bag as my purse, and while I love it, it is lacking in interior organization. I tend to stuff all the papers into the flat zip pocket inside the purse, and then a) forget about them, and/or b) go crazy with the volume that accumulates.
Is there anything out there–maybe a small padfolio sans pad or structured zipper something-or-other that can go into the purse and keep this stuff neat and organized? I feel like if I had something that was more in the main body of the bag, I would tend to forget the papers less. The purse is big, there’s plenty of room, but it isn’t big enough for a full size legal or letter padfolio.
Thoughts?
Wildkitten
Like this? http://www.containerstore.com/shop/giftWrapWonderland/stockingStuffers?productId=10028925&N=62523&Nao=50
AIMS
I corral things into envelope pouches. I have one see thru mesh one for small items I want to have on hand like band aids, travel pack of advil, shout wipe, Kleenex, etc. I have another larger one for random paper stuff like 20% off Bed Bath and Beyond coupons, free VS underwear mailers, etc. I also have a “magic wallet” to organize all my non-regularly used store discount cards that I throw into that shopping envelope, too. You could do similar ones for the rest.
You could do something like these: http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10023883&N=&Ntt=pouch
Or bigger/smaller as needed.
purse help
hmmm…those are both great ideas…I like the zipper pouch idea and the way that you’re sorting yours out. That might work for me.
zora
or there are these. I really want to get one for my mom, plus then you can move them between bags quickly
http://www.etsy.com/market/bag_organizer
WomenLawyersNews
There are these too : http://www.mochithings.com/purse-organizers
Awkward :(
Hey ‘rettes.
I’ve recently been appointed as a co-executive director of a project with a national, public scope. My co-exec is very outgoing and friendly (extrovert), but not so much of a planner or an organizer. I am quite the opposite – rather introverted (but can represent behind a table or with a purpose), but really organized (I am an experienced project manager) and quite project and goal driven.
We are, currently, at a conference representing our project. The conference is for a few groups of individuals with whom we could partner on our project down the road. I am feeling really comfortable sitting behind our table and talking about our project with people. I am feeling not so comfortable a) going to panels or workshops (because I feel like it isn’t appropriate for me (as a member of an outside group) to participate) or even going to lunch and sitting down with random strangers and talking to them. My co-director is quite happy to go to all of the panels and workshops, but not so much sitting at our table and promoting our project.
I feel really inadequate in this setting. (Over the last week, I have moved major components of our project to completion and sent millions of logistics e-mails for our upcoming event – I even put together the materials for our table at this conference (with two days of notice, I might add)), but I can’t help but feel like I am a terrible executive director because of how shy I am in conference settings.
Anyone else terribly shy with a public facing job? How do you do it? Thanks!
anonsg
I keep a dryer sheet in my purse and rub it on the fabric to reduce static/cling. Sometimes it works..
Marie
+1 on the dryer sheet. I use the unscented kind. Always works for me.
K(elley)
Fishnet trouser socks. They’ve never cause static cling, and it makes me happy to have just a little bit of frisky around the ankles. I’m in the south, so rarely need super warm layers
Anononon
I use fabric softener in the wash and it takes care of the problem.
MissDisplaced
Ah the bane of winter… static.
Static Guard spray does work great, but as others noted it has a smell, plus the aerosol isn’t the most eco-friendly.
You can try making your own static spray with liquid fabric softener.
1. Put 1 tbsp. fabric softening liquid in spray bottle
2. Fill bottle up rest of the way with water and shake well.
3. LIGHTLY spray clothing.
You can also rub your clothing with dryer sheets.