Thread: Silk and static cling

Anyone have a recommendation for solving the silk and static problem? Do products like Static Guard work, or do they stain? I was practicing today with my lovely new Secret Habibi veil *waves to LauraLevana* but the static electricity got pretty bad and I finally had to give up. Hard to spin prettily when your veil wants to wrap around your shoulders and not let go.

I have that problem, too -- could really use some advice -- especially for the large 1/2 circles when doing double veil!

If you rinse your veil in some cool water that has a bit of hair conditioner in it, that can help keep the static down. (And iron it to dry it... putting it in a dryer would probably make it worse.)

Have you tried steaming it in the bathroom with the shower going, or lightly misting it with water? Moisture counteracts the static cling.

Try running the veil across a wire hanger. You might hear the "snap crackle pop" as the metal neutralizes the charge.

I use Static Guard on my veils and keep a can in my performance bag all the time - just in case. I would recommend beginning to spray off the veil to ensure only a mist is coming out (no spatter). Then from 12" or more away, spray a light layer over the veil.

I've used it several years and my veils look and feel like new.

Great! Thanks for all the tips, ladies. I'll undoubtedly need to try some of them. I'm really glad to know, thought, that Static Guard works and doesn't stain.

Originally Posted by Taj

Great! Thanks for all the tips, ladies. I'll undoubtedly need to try some of them. I'm really glad to know, thought, that Static Guard works and doesn't stain.

It does work, however, the WORST static cling I experienced was while wearing a velvet skirt and using double veils - I had to actually use different veils for a concert because at the time I hadn't tried Static Guard. Misting with water only worked very temporarily - with velvet, trust me, that static builds up FAST and I wound up with "double veil butt" syndrome in less than a minute. I could compensate with a single veil by using hands and arms to "help" veil lift off my butt, but not with double, no sirree!,f::
Good tip to spray away from veil initially to make sure no splatters!

if i experience static cling with my veil while practicing, i store it in a plastic bag with a dryer sheet. tends to do the trick! i've also heard that you can put it in your dryer on air fluff for a couple minutes as well.. haven't tried it myself

Originally Posted by Nisima

"double veil butt" syndrome

..l;,

Got pics?

double veil butt LOL that really does deserve a photo

i can't vouch for all silk veils on the market but akais are safe with static guard..i used to mist the heck out of mine when i lived in arizona

I also have used static guard on silk without problems. I only occasionally need to use it in southern IL, but in UT it was a must-have in the dance bag. I do try to hold the can the proper distance away so the veil is lightly misted rather than getting wet spots that could leave slight staining that could be visible on solid colors.

I really prefer 8mm silk for veils because its slightly heavier weight helps it overcome static somewhat; I also think its movement is more fluid and buttery. 6 mm is okay, but I personally don't care for 5mm veils.

Sedonia

Oh, what I have had disastrous results with was a drier sheet. I was fluffing some veils in the drier because I was too lazy to iron them, but knew it would increase the static on them. So I added a drier sheet and it made hard waxy spots on the silk that I couldn't completely scrub out.

Sedonia

Static Guard works really well! I find when the veils are new they are the most clingy. After awhile they get much better...once your body oils, makeup etc get on them. It sounds gross but I really think that it does make a difference.

Actually no, that makes sense. I have a second-hand silk veil that is just that way. Never had a problem with static. Ditto a silk veil I bought new from LRose that I've played with a lot. Have never washed either because--well, they're not visibly dirty. But now I have a brand-new veil. Maybe I just need to play with it more!

If you can run the veil across a metal electrical appliance, or something metal that is connected to the ground, that is plugged in an earthed, this will also get rid of static. Eg a metal computer case, a metal pole in the ground, a toaster.

Originally Posted by Taj

Actually no, that makes sense. I have a second-hand silk veil that is just that way. Never had a problem with static. Ditto a silk veil I bought new from LRose that I've played with a lot. Have never washed either because--well, they're not visibly dirty. But now I have a brand-new veil. Maybe I just need to play with it more!

Me thinks the new veil has synthetic fibres in it.