Lifehacks requests

New Home

Would it be ok if we had a thread for requesting lifehacks (including old home remedies - not of the medical kind)?

Here's the first:

How to I stop my vacuum cleaner from building up static electricity and getting covered in dust?

Any (useful) tips gratefully accepted.

Thank you.

iamstop

I think the best way to prevent that is to get a humidifier in the room you are vacuuming. Dry air builds static.

New Home

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121672004#Comment_121672004

Thanks for that - the room is already very humid (damp, in fact) - my dehumidifier often reads over 80% when I turn it on.

iamstop

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121672021#Comment_121672021

Perhaps the dehumidifier is causing the static? Maybe turn if off for 2 or so hours before you plan to use the vacuum?

https://www.daikinmea.com/en_us/knowledge-center/the-1-trick-to-eliminate-static-electricity-in-your-home.html#:~:text=Relative%20humidity%20must%20be%20below,never%20experience%20static%20build%2Dup.

New Home

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121672038#Comment_121672038

🙂 No, what I mean is that the room is generally damp unless I use the dehumidifier, so when I hoover the air isn't usually dry.

Capt'n Midnight

Would an ioniser reverse the charges ?

dohouch

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121673517#Comment_121673517

My dehumidifier has an ioniser on/off button. Brand "Ecoair". This is a desiccant dehumidifier, does not have refrigerant gas. Advantage is - it works at lower temperatures.

Field east

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058073686/lifehacks-requests

Remember when some cars used to have chains hanging from the back and being dragged along the road so as to get rid of static buildup in the car. Get a very light chain - iron and not a brass one- and attach it onto a metal part of your hoover. Might not be very pretty looking but see if it works. You can probably buy your one to two feet of it from Woodies, Coop stores , DIY stores

New Home

Thanks, I'll look into both an ioniser/air purifier, as well as an "earth" for the vacuum cleaner (it'll be unlikely to work on laminated or wooden floors, but it should do the trick on the tiled ones).

Boardnashea

A related issue. I regularly get a spark off the door of my car when I am getting out of it. Would the earth band help this?

New Home

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121675067#Comment_121675067

Yes, it should work, provided it touches the ground.

What I usually do, not having one, is to touch the window instead.

iamstop

I happened to be reading this article about WD40 and some odd uses of it.

No. 18 on the list is: It eliminates static on volume-control and tuning knobs.

Maybe a squirt of Dub Dee could help? Chances are you have some in the house, garage or shed already.

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/21-strange-and-ingenious-uses-for-wd40?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-us

New Home

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121675847#Comment_121675847

Genius! I'll definitely try that (I have both WD40 and duct tape. 😁)

iamstop

You must be an engineer! lol.

New Home

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121676356#Comment_121676356

I'm McGyver. I also have rubber bands, paper clips and blue tack. And I can get my hands on chemical fertiliser if needs be. 😎😁