How to Dissipate Static on a Plastic Box

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Things You'll Need

  • Dryer sheet

  • Paper towel

  • Anti-static spray

Learn how to dissipate static electricity in a few simple steps.

Static electricity is a phenomenon caused when an object exhibits an imbalance between positive and negative charges. Plastics are insulators, which means they are poor conductors of electricity. Electric charges tend to build up on poor conductors, like plastics, resulting in static electricity. Static electricity can be annoying because of its tendency to make objects stick together, especially inside a plastic box. With a few simple steps you can learn how to dissipate static electricity and prevent it from coming back.

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Step 1

Rub a dryer sheet along the inside and outside of the plastic box. Dryer sheets contain external anti-static agents that can make a plastic box more conductive. Objects with high conductivity cannot retain static; therefore, rubbing a dryer sheet on a plastic box will help to dissipate static.

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Step 2

Moisten the box slightly, using a wet paper towel. Water increases an object's conductivity, so adding a slight amount of moisture will make the plastic box more conductive and will quickly dissipate static electricity.

Step 3

Spray an anti-static spray on the box. Anti-static sprays, or foams, are widely available online and in drugstores. Anti-static sprays coat objects with a thin layer of conductivity "skin" that prevents static from clinging to an object. Spraying a layer of anti-static spray onto a plastic box eliminates static electricity and can help prevent it from coming back.

Tip

Buy anti-static boxes. Anti-static boxes are coated with a special chemical that prevents static from forming.

Warning

Use caution when handling harsh chemicals like anti-static sprays. Read all warning labels and instructions before use.

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