Kitchen Cabinets
With carpet used in more homes, along with better
insulation and heating, static electricity may be more
noticeable. There are many variables such as the
physiological makeup of an individual, weight, walking
habits and even the type of shoe soles worn. It's
affected by the face fiber of the carpet, construction of
the carpet, the backing, type of cushion under the carpet
and the kind of floor. The amount of moisture in the air
and, consequently, the face yarns is a major factor in
determining if someone is going to get shocked after
walking over a carpet.
Static electricity may be noticeable and then it will
disappear. It may or may not return. The reason it
disappeared is the change of some variable. It could be a
change in the type of shoe soles or the carpet has been
soiled. The static electricity on a dirty carpet is less
than on a clean one. However, humidity is probably the
biggest factor that produces the change.
Moisture in the air will be absorbed by the carpet
fibers. The moisture in the fibers is important as the
moisture will help to dissipate the electrical charge.
If there is sufficient moisture present there will not be
enough charge built up to produce a shock.
The earliest method used to control static was to
place pans of water on the stove or radiators. Moisture
is added to some heating systems today by placing a
humidifier on the furnace. If sufficient water is added
to the air, it will eliminate the static problem but too
much moisture can produce a condensation problem on
window glass in the colder climates.
Another method is to spray the carpet surface with
an antistatic agent. It is not a permanent treatment as
it is slowly removed by the soles of the shoes. If these
agents are sprayed in the fall, they will probably be
effective until spring. This is the normal season of low
humidity and most problems with static electricity. If
static becomes noticeable before spring, then the traffic
areas can be retreated. Some of the antistatic agents are
sticky and will cause dirt to adhere to the carpet. A
carpet retailer should be able to supply an antistatic
agent that will not accelerate soiling.
Carpet and rugs can be purchased with special fibers
or treatments built into them which will eliminate the
static electricity problem.