Making anti-static carpet spray?

[mc]

Is there an easy way I could make my own anti-static carpet spray? The
commercial product is often hard to find. Of course, pure water works for a
short time, enough to repair one computer. I've tried adding fabric
softener but it's too strongly scented to use this way.

 

[Jim Yanik]

Is there an easy way I could make my own anti-static carpet spray?
The commercial product is often hard to find. Of course, pure water
works for a short time, enough to repair one computer. I've tried
adding fabric softener but it's too strongly scented to use this way.

Buy UNscented fabric softener.

 

[Mike Berger]

Well that was going to be my suggestion. Try finding less smelly fabric
softener.

 

[Jeff Liebermann]

Is there an easy way I could make my own anti-static carpet spray? The
commercial product is often hard to find. Of course, pure water works for a
short time, enough to repair one computer. I've tried adding fabric
softener but it's too strongly scented to use this way.

See:
http://www.recipegoldmine.com/house/house17.html
The fabric softener keeps the static away. The ammonia keeps
visitors, managers, nosey customers, and relatives away. If you smell
the fabric softener, you're using way too much.

However, there's a catch. Fabric softener may be toxic. See:
http://www.ourlittleplace.com/notice.html
http://www.ghchealth.com/forum/post-325.html
http://www.andersonlaboratories.com/alweb23e.htm
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnfs.htm
http://users.lmi.net/wilworks/ehnlinx/f.htm#Softeners
I'm not too sure if I totally believe all this.

Anyway, there are unscented and hopefully non-toxic vinegar based
fabric softeners available:
http://www.villagegreenmarket.com/html/ntc11109.html
However, I don't think these will work as an anti-static spray. One
way to check is to try it.

 

[mc]

Well that was going to be my suggestion. Try finding less smelly fabric
softener.

Do people agree, then, that fabric softener is the right stuff to use?

 

[Pooh Bear]

Is there an easy way I could make my own anti-static carpet spray? The
commercial product is often hard to find.

Really ?

Graham

 

[Daniel A. Thomas]

| Is there an easy way I could make my own anti-static carpet spray? The
| commercial product is often hard to find. Of course, pure water works for a
| short time, enough to repair one computer. I've tried adding fabric
| softener but it's too strongly scented to use this way.
|
|
I've used a teaspoon of salt in quart of warm water for anti-static
carpet spray. Sprayed it with a plant mister. It works surprisingly
well.

 

[Lee]

Do people agree, then, that fabric softener is the right stuff to use?

I used about a half teaspoon of fabric softener to one pint of water for
years. If you use lukewarm water when you mix it, it will dilute
better. Doesn't have to be warm to use though.
This was in a number of large computer rooms including at a local college.
Regards
Lee in Toronto

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[Lee]

Really ?

Graham

You can get it any good industrial cleaning supply company.
Regards
Lee in Toronto

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[mc]

Do people agree, then, that fabric softener is the right stuff to use?

I used about a half teaspoon of fabric softener to one pint of water for
years. If you use lukewarm water when you mix it, it will dilute better.
Doesn't have to be warm to use though.
This was in a number of large computer rooms including at a local college.

Thanks.

Downy "Free and Sensitive" fabric softener is odorless, but the bottle says,
"Do not mix with water and store." Hmmm...

 

[mc]

Really ?

Yes. This is a town of 100,000, not a major city. The computer stores no
longer have it. There is no electronics place except Radio Shack. There's
a cleaning-supplies store I haven't checked that sells various kinds of
carpet cleaning chemicals.

 

[mc]

| Is there an easy way I could make my own anti-static carpet spray? The
| commercial product is often hard to find. Of course, pure water works
for a
| short time, enough to repair one computer. I've tried adding fabric
| softener but it's too strongly scented to use this way.
|
|
I've used a teaspoon of salt in quart of warm water for anti-static
carpet spray. Sprayed it with a plant mister. It works surprisingly
well.

How long does it last? Does it do any good in dry weather (when it's needed
most)?

If it will pick up any moisture from the air, it should stay conductive.
Hmmm... Calcium chloride?

 

[Richard J Kinch]

I've tried adding fabric
softener but it's too strongly scented to use this way.

Google MSDSs; you'll find many are just surfactants. A bottle of the
cheapest non-polyquat swimming pool algaecide would be an unscented
lifetime supply (diluted with water).

 

[Pooh Bear]

Google MSDSs; you'll find many are just surfactants. A bottle of the
cheapest non-polyquat swimming pool algaecide would be an unscented
lifetime supply (diluted with water).

Electrolube's data sheet gives no clue as to contents.

Graham

 

[Brian]

How long does it last? Does it do any good in dry weather (when it's
needed most)?

If it will pick up any moisture from the air, it should stay conductive.
Hmmm... Calcium chloride?

Don't they sell Static Guard clothes spray at your local grocery store?

 

[Daniel A. Thomas]

|
| | >
| > | > | Is there an easy way I could make my own anti-static carpet spray? The
| > | commercial product is often hard to find. Of course, pure water works
| > for a
| > | short time, enough to repair one computer. I've tried adding fabric
| > | softener but it's too strongly scented to use this way.
| > |
| > |
| > I've used a teaspoon of salt in quart of warm water for anti-static
| > carpet spray. Sprayed it with a plant mister. It works surprisingly
| > well.
|
| How long does it last? Does it do any good in dry weather (when it's needed
| most)?
|
| If it will pick up any moisture from the air, it should stay conductive.
| Hmmm... Calcium chloride?
|
|
I used regular table salt (NaCl). Seems to hold up fine with regular
vacuuming but you'll need to reapply after steam cleaning or such.
It works well even in low humidity.

 

[Mark Thorson]

How long does it last? Does it do any good in dry weather
(when it's needed most)?

If it will pick up any moisture from the air, it should stay conductive.
Hmmm... Calcium chloride?

Glycerol is often used as a humectant.
I don't know if that would help in your case.

 

[Mike Berger]

Doesn't that wear the carpet a lot faster?

 

[Lee]

Doesn't that wear the carpet a lot faster?

Mike.... yes, and salt is a powerful corrosive and I'm surprised that
someone hasn't jumped in and commented on the folly of spraying salty
mist in a computer room full of electronics!
Regards
Lee in Toronto

Inviato da X-Privat.Org - Registrazione gratuita http://www.x-privat.org/join.php

 

[Rich Grise]

Do people agree, then, that fabric softener is the right stuff to use?

Essentially any ionic surfactant should do the job. ;-)

Good Luck!
Rich