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.

"mc" wrote in
:

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.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

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

mc wrote:
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.

"mc" hath wroth:

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.

--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

"Mike Berger" wrote in message
...
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?

mc wrote:

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

Really ?

Graham

"mc" wrote in message
.. .
| 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.

mc wrote:
"Mike Berger" wrote in message
...
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?


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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Pooh Bear wrote:

mc wrote:

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

Really ?

Graham

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

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

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...

"Pooh Bear" wrote in message
...


mc wrote:

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

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.

"Daniel A. Thomas" wrote in message
...

"mc" wrote in message
.. .
| 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?

mc writes:

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).

Richard J Kinch wrote:

mc writes:

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).

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

Graham

"mc" wrote in message
. ..
|
| "Daniel A. Thomas" wrote in message
| ...
|
| "mc" wrote in message
| .. .
| | 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.

mc wrote:

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.

Doesn't that wear the carpet a lot faster?

Daniel A. Thomas wrote:

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.

Mike Berger wrote:
Doesn't that wear the carpet a lot faster?

Daniel A. Thomas wrote:

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.

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

On Sun, 28 May 2006 21:21:13 -0400, mc wrote:
"Mike Berger" wrote in message
...
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?

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

Good Luck!
Rich

On Sun, 28 May 2006 23:16:17 -0400, mc wrote:

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...

That's OK; when you premix it to put in your antistatic bottle, you're not
"storing" it, it's in use as your antistatic spray bottle contents.

Problem solved! ;-)

Cheers!
Rich

"Lee" wrote in message ...
Mike Berger wrote:
Doesn't that wear the carpet a lot faster?

Daniel A. Thomas wrote:

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.

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

We had our offices made with esd carpeting. Thats always an idea.

mc wrote:

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


Spray some WD-40 around? Coat your entire carpet with vegetable
oil? (Eww.)

Those "anti-static sheets" used in clothes dryers are not based on
conductivity, instead they give your clothes a molecule-thin coating
of oil. Then, when the clothes rub together, it's an oil-on-oil
contact.

"Electrification by contact" requires dissimilar substances, therefore
very little charge-separation occurs with slightly-oily surfaces.

((((((((((((((((((((((( ( ( (o) ) ) )))))))))))))))))))))))
William J. Beaty Research Engineer
UW Chem Dept, Bagley Hall RM74
Box 351700, Seattle, WA 98195-1700
ph425-222-5066 http//staff.washington.edu/wbeaty/

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

Did you try Downy free & clear -- no stinkum in it.

"Kevin G. Rhoads" wrote in message
...
I've tried adding fabric
softener but it's too strongly scented to use this way.

Did you try Downy free & clear -- no stinkum in it.

I think it's the one that says "Don't mix with water and store," leading me
to wonder what's going on.

mc wrote:
"Kevin G. Rhoads" wrote in message
...
I've tried adding fabric
softener but it's too strongly scented to use this way.
Did you try Downy free & clear -- no stinkum in it.

I think it's the one that says "Don't mix with water and store," leading me
to wonder what's going on.


Virtually all products that claim to be unscented do contain scenting
agents!
They produce some batches, determine what chemicals will be needed to
'fool' the nose into not noticing a scent and add it to the formula.
Actually scent neutralizing additives.

I have severe allergies and asthma and have found this out the hard way.
Regards
Lee in Toronto

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

On Tue, 30 May 2006 11:11:21 -0400, "mc"
wrote:


"Kevin G. Rhoads" wrote in message
...
I've tried adding fabric
softener but it's too strongly scented to use this way.

Did you try Downy free & clear -- no stinkum in it.

I think it's the one that says "Don't mix with water and store," leading me
to wonder what's going on.

Guessing but once sufficiently diluted, the anti-microbial/anti-fungal
concentration probably drops below a threshold level and it can "spoil"
(grow mold, smell funky, etc.) Probably possible to keep a batch of the
diluted solution in the refrigerator. If you have access to one of those
kitchen vacuum units (FoodSaver or similar), dump the extra in a Mason
jar and evacuate it before storing.

--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA