How do I discharge myself? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Prince · 03-02-2007, 03:18 PM

Odd question, granted. How do I get rid of the static electricity within me?

I'm serious. For over 48 hours now I've had this static electricity to me. If I touch anything metallic, I get a -zap-. If I touch the light switch to turn the lights on, small sparks fly. My wife doesn't have any such problems. It just seems to be me, and it's getting to be very annoying.

I don't know anything about this static body electricity stuff. What causes it? How do I discharge it?

I thought maybe masturbation would help, but no, it didn't help. Although it was worth it to try.

And yes, this is a serious question.

ShaniFaye · 03-02-2007, 03:21 PM

Im interested in seeing responses on this as I have the same problem, but its been going on with me all winter

filtherton · 03-02-2007, 03:26 PM

Well, i think you're body should be neutral immediately after you shock something, so you're probably repeatedly building up a charge somehow. I'm not sure what you're doing, maybe dragging your feet a bit when you walk? I think it's mainly a friction thing.

Then again, electromagnetism isn't really my thing at the moment, so i'm probably forgetting something about static electricity.

JStrider · 03-02-2007, 05:55 PM

walk around barefoot

I used to get static shocks all the time then I started going barefoot... I never get them when I'm barefoot

Willravel · 03-02-2007, 06:10 PM

Raise your environment's humidity, wear leather-soled shoes, or hold on to a grounded piece of metal at all times.

robot_parade · 03-02-2007, 06:38 PM

Willravel pretty much has it - static electricity is much worse when the environment has less humidity. You can also touch something 'grounded', like a fireplace or something.

Dilbert1234567 · 03-02-2007, 06:47 PM

don't wear polyester... as soon as your touch anything and get shocked, you should be neutral. but you may recharge your self with movement.

meanSpleen · 03-02-2007, 07:06 PM

The easiest thing to do is touch wood.

Prior to touching the lightswitch, touch the doorframe - even if it is painted or has a coat of enamel or whatever on it. The wood pretty much absorbs the excess current.

This is also a reason why trees tend to be hit by lightning pretty often. They act as a natural focus point for the electricity coming down from the sky.

shakran · 03-02-2007, 07:10 PM

It's winter. It's dry. You're gonna get zapped unless you walk around with a grounding strap tied to your ankle.

Willravel · 03-02-2007, 07:17 PM

Launch yourself into space.

Prince · 03-02-2007, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakran

It's winter. It's dry. You're gonna get zapped unless you walk around with a grounding strap tied to your ankle.

Very good suggestions from all of you... Thank you.

I think what's worse than the actual zaps is knowing that it's coming, every time I touch a door knob or a light switch.

Lizra · 03-03-2007, 06:11 AM

Sometimes, when I am quickly peeling double layers of shirts off in the darkness of my bedroom late at night, I can see lightning-like flashes of electric sparks along with the crackle sound.....it's kind of scary.

I battle the static too, I use liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets to help, and turn up the humidifier.....but I love the softness of acrylic fabrics so I get zapped a lot.
I hate it when I reach out to pet a cat, and zap their nose....I'm sure they don't understand....

thingstodo · 03-03-2007, 02:57 PM

Along with everything everyone else has said, make sure you're using dryer sheets or fabric softener. That also adds to your static problem.

Probably the biggest thing I've found is using a humidifier in the winter. I have one built in at home and never, ever have that problem but do have it at work.

ShaniFaye · 03-04-2007, 08:45 AM

Im here to tell you I use fabric softner religiously, and while my clothes dont have static, I still do.

Its loads of fun when Im getting home from work and I get out of my car to get the mail out of the mail box and I've got so much static you can see the spark when I touch it in the daytime lol

thingstodo · 03-04-2007, 10:01 AM

My comment on fabric softener was in response to Lizra's undressing comment.

MSD · 03-04-2007, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willravel

Raise your environment's humidity, wear leather-soled shoes, or hold on to a grounded piece of metal at all times.

This should do it. Get a humidifier, don't shuffle when you walk, and if you don't want to feel the shock, hold a key or other piece of metal and touch it to a grounded object like a screw on a switchplate or electrical outlet faceplate, water pipe/faucet, or your car's frame (touch bare metal, not the paint!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by meanSpleen

The easiest thing to do is touch wood.

Prior to touching the lightswitch, touch the doorframe - even if it is painted or has a coat of enamel or whatever on it. The wood pretty much absorbs the excess current.

This is also a reason why trees tend to be hit by lightning pretty often. They act as a natural focus point for the electricity coming down from the sky.

You and your pseudoscience!

hunnychile · 03-04-2007, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meanSpleen

The easiest thing to do is touch wood.

Wish I could, but the old mans been soft for a few years now....

yournamehere · 03-04-2007, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunnychile

Wish I could, but the old mans been soft for a few years now....

Ouch - Too bad . . .

Sounds like you have to "discharge yourself," too

Don't worry, we all have to now and then

Astrocloud · 03-04-2007, 06:30 PM

Man this is so EASY

Hold the bottle about 6-12 inches away from your torso and spray.

Try not to breath the vapors which is ozone.

flat5 · 03-05-2007, 09:04 AM

iccky · 03-12-2007, 09:31 PM

For a second there I thought you wanted to know how to get yourself fired from a job.

Good tips, I had a lot of shag carpeting in my last apartment and my girlfriend and I were always shocking each other.

Plaid13 · 03-30-2007, 11:08 AM

This is easy. Get a kitten the more cute and fuzzy the better. when its in a nice dark room asleep. go pet the kitten. Ahh i zapped my poor kitty so many times this winter.

But yeah a humidfier helps a lot. Dont drag your feet on carpet or anything like that. wear clothing that dosnt rub together a lot. If you sit in a cloth chair dont drag your butt around on it much.

Pet the kitten some more.

ItWasMe · 04-18-2007, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lizra

Sometimes, when I am quickly peeling double layers of shirts off in the darkness of my bedroom late at night, I can see lightning-like flashes of electric sparks along with the crackle sound.....it's kind of scary.

I've done that, too.

If nothing else works, you could go the expensive route of buying ESD safe shoes. We had to wear those at work at an electronics manufacturer, along with ESD safe jackets. Ask someone at a pc store your question...I'm sure they could point you to the things they sell to folks who work on their own computer 'innards.'

Janie · 04-27-2007, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flat5

Connect a battery jumper cable from your left toe to your right ear.

If you use a space heater that is hot on top, fill an old pot with water
and put it on the heater (or very near it?).

ROFL... for a second there I thought you were suggesting powering a mini water heater off his accumulated static electricity!

Phew, ok I'm done.

03-02-2007, 03:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
Prince /nɑndəsˈkrɪpt/ Location: LV-426	How do I discharge myself? Odd question, granted. How do I get rid of the static electricity within me? I'm serious. For over 48 hours now I've had this static electricity to me. If I touch anything metallic, I get a -zap-. If I touch the light switch to turn the lights on, small sparks fly. My wife doesn't have any such problems. It just seems to be me, and it's getting to be very annoying. I don't know anything about this static body electricity stuff. What causes it? How do I discharge it? I thought maybe masturbation would help, but no, it didn't help. Although it was worth it to try. And yes, this is a serious question. __________________ Who is John Galt?

03-02-2007, 03:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	Im interested in seeing responses on this as I have the same problem, but its been going on with me all winter __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

03-02-2007, 05:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Location: The Woodlands, TX	walk around barefoot I used to get static shocks all the time then I started going barefoot... I never get them when I'm barefoot __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

03-02-2007, 06:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dilbert1234567 Devils Cabana Boy Location: Central Coast CA	don't wear polyester... as soon as your touch anything and get shocked, you should be neutral. but you may recharge your self with movement. __________________ Donate Blood! "Love is not finding the perfect person, but learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." -Sam Keen

03-02-2007, 07:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
meanSpleen Squid hat! Location: A Few Miles Away From Halx	The easiest thing to do is touch wood. Prior to touching the lightswitch, touch the doorframe - even if it is painted or has a coat of enamel or whatever on it. The wood pretty much absorbs the excess current. This is also a reason why trees tend to be hit by lightning pretty often. They act as a natural focus point for the electricity coming down from the sky. __________________ Like TFP? Donate To Keep It Alive!!

03-02-2007, 03:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
filtherton Junkie Location: In the land of ice and snow.	Well, i think you're body should be neutral immediately after you shock something, so you're probably repeatedly building up a charge somehow. I'm not sure what you're doing, maybe dragging your feet a bit when you walk? I think it's mainly a friction thing. Then again, electromagnetism isn't really my thing at the moment, so i'm probably forgetting something about static electricity.

03-02-2007, 06:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Raise your environment's humidity, wear leather-soled shoes, or hold on to a grounded piece of metal at all times.

03-02-2007, 06:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
robot_parade Junkie Location: San Antonio, TX	Willravel pretty much has it - static electricity is much worse when the environment has less humidity. You can also touch something 'grounded', like a fireplace or something.

03-02-2007, 07:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	It's winter. It's dry. You're gonna get zapped unless you walk around with a grounding strap tied to your ankle.

03-02-2007, 07:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Launch yourself into space.

03-03-2007, 06:11 AM	#12 (permalink)
Lizra Insane Location: rural Indiana	Sometimes, when I am quickly peeling double layers of shirts off in the darkness of my bedroom late at night, I can see lightning-like flashes of electric sparks along with the crackle sound.....it's kind of scary. I battle the static too, I use liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets to help, and turn up the humidifier.....but I love the softness of acrylic fabrics so I get zapped a lot. I hate it when I reach out to pet a cat, and zap their nose....I'm sure they don't understand.... __________________ Happy atheist

03-03-2007, 02:57 PM	#13 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	Along with everything everyone else has said, make sure you're using dryer sheets or fabric softener. That also adds to your static problem. Probably the biggest thing I've found is using a humidifier in the winter. I have one built in at home and never, ever have that problem but do have it at work. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

03-04-2007, 08:45 AM	#14 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	Im here to tell you I use fabric softner religiously, and while my clothes dont have static, I still do. Its loads of fun when Im getting home from work and I get out of my car to get the mail out of the mail box and I've got so much static you can see the spark when I touch it in the daytime lol __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

03-04-2007, 10:01 AM	#15 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	My comment on fabric softener was in response to Lizra's undressing comment. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

03-04-2007, 06:30 PM	#19 (permalink)
Astrocloud Apocalypse Nerd	Man this is so EASY Hold the bottle about 6-12 inches away from your torso and spray. Try not to breath the vapors which is ozone.

03-05-2007, 09:04 AM	#20 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	.. Last edited by flat5; 05-03-2008 at 02:33 AM..

03-12-2007, 09:31 PM	#21 (permalink)
iccky Psycho Location: Princeton, NJ	For a second there I thought you wanted to know how to get yourself fired from a job. Good tips, I had a lot of shag carpeting in my last apartment and my girlfriend and I were always shocking each other.

03-30-2007, 11:08 AM	#22 (permalink)
Plaid13 I want a Plaid crayon	This is easy. Get a kitten the more cute and fuzzy the better. when its in a nice dark room asleep. go pet the kitten. Ahh i zapped my poor kitty so many times this winter. But yeah a humidfier helps a lot. Dont drag your feet on carpet or anything like that. wear clothing that dosnt rub together a lot. If you sit in a cloth chair dont drag your butt around on it much. Pet the kitten some more.