Creating Anti-Static Spray

This instructable teaches you how to create a simple anti-static spray to help reduce the build up of a difference in charge on your robot. The static electricity that damages electronics is the same that makes clothes stick together. Here, we use generic fabric softener to make everything mildly conductive to the point where static charge differentials equalize and you do not get static discharge events (static shocks).

We have seen this in stores such as here and thought we could make it in appropriate sized batches with things we have around the house/shop ourselves.

Step 1: Step 1: Gather the Materials

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You will need:
1 TBLS Isopropyl Alcohol (Rubbing Alcohol)
1 TBLS Fabric Softener
8 oz. Water
1 Spray Bottle

The fabric softener is used to make everything mildly conductive (the same way it makes your clothes not stick together). the Isopropyl alcohol is used to make the fluid evaporate quickly.

Could this be sprayed on a plastic toolbox to avoid static buildup, to avoid damaging electronic components?

Yes but beware that it will wear off. If you are using it on a long-term storage solution, you will need to re-apply the spray. We used it on plastic robot components to avoid static buildup while running.

Thanks. :) I'm going to keep looking, but I'll keep this one in mind.

Can I make anti static peanuts with it?

I have made this several times and have modified to suit.I use 230ml tap water 30ml isocol (rubbing alcohol) and 15 ml liquid fab softener .the 30ml of isocol makes the spray dry much faster ideal for clothing, which is what it is used for in my house. Excellent for poly gym wear etc. and much cheaper than pre bottled stuff. wife was buying bottles (150ml) for $7, got the 200ml fab soft and isocol for $15 make three bottles each time and have used very little over a dozen bottles. worked out around 75c per 150ml.

I'm thinking about making this concoction to spray on hanheld game screens and also cd's and dvd's, to make them gather less dust.. Any experience here? I know anodized water is another anti-static sprayer that works good.

We have never tried it on screens or CD's/DVD's. Good luck!

I use it for the microfiber material on my couches because my dog rubs up against it constantly and makes it staticky.. I left out the isopropyl,it works great I love it. way cheaper than static guard

Thanks a lot great tips. I'm currently looking for anti-static brushes (not sure really) for keeping my computer dust free. Can I spray it on a soft brush let dry and then use? Any ideas please????

I have made dog beds and camping beds using Styrofoam peanuts. The peanuts do have the static problem and would make these projects completely impractical...if it were not for this a fabric softener 'anti static'. I make and use something similar but a bit heavier on the softener due to the very high surface area involved on large quantities of peanuts. I also use a mister nozzle so that the peanuts get good coverage with less water that needs time to evaporate. I also have tried tossing a mesh bag of(treated) peanuts into the clothes drier(low heat or the styro loses some sponginess). You can also toss in a wash cloth dampened in the solution, for just a few minutes. Either way works well. Northwest is a moist climate so not too much static problems. How this would work in Arizona???...cannot say. I learned about non static sprays from my time screen printing electronics. Common sense carried it over(but with a non-allergenic spray)when I started making the beds. I am an avid camper but I GOTTA have good sleep wherever I go. Peanut beds are super comfortable!

Do you know what drug the softener contains? Maybe the label says. I don't live in USA.

Let me start with an explanation (and I have updated the instructable to say this): the static electricity that damages electronics and the static that makes clothes stick together are the same thing. This said, fabric softener is mildly conductive (preventing clothes from sticking together) and prevents the buildup of static differentials which lead to static discharge events (static shocks). The fabric softener is used to make the surface conductive and the alcohol makes it evaporate quickly.

Thanks for your response. I am thinking to use your idea to manage HHO gas, it is dangerous when there are static charges that could produce a spark.