Fleece creating static electricity

[Mo & Stubbins & Vani]

Hi!
I use the GuineaDad fleece liners for my piggie room. Usually, when I need to pick up a piglet to administer medicine, I wait until they run into one of the hidey pockets and then pick them up (sometimes I use hideys, as well).
I have recently noticed that when I pick up the piggies, their hair brushes against the top of the hidey pocket and makes that "pop" noise associated with static electricity. This happens not only when I pick them up, but also when they exit from the hidey pocket on their own.
Is this uncomfortable for them? How can I solve this problem?

 

[piggieminder]

Do you line dry your fleece? Tumble drying can cause static build up.

 

[Mo & Stubbins & Vani]

Unfortunately, I sort of have to use a dryer because of how much fleece I have.
My piggies essentially have free-roam of my bedroom, meaning that I use a lot of fleece! When I clean the fleece (1-2 times per week) I have to lay out towels all across my room because I do not have back-up fleece.
I have to get through my fleece loads quickly so that other members of my family can use the washer.
My mom and I have been considering buying more fleece, though.

 

[piggieminder]

I do think it's the dryer causing the problem, normally fabric conditioner would help with that but you can't use it with the fleece as it stops it wicking. I use white vinegar in the final rinse, don't know if that would help as I line dry my fleece liners but if you don't already use it you could give it a try.

 

[Mo & Stubbins & Vani]

I'll try that out, thank you!
Do you know if it is hurting them, though?

 

[artcasper]

You could possibly use those tumble dryer sheets as they help with static..

 

[piggieminder]

I wondered about those @artcasper but was worried about the perfume?

I don't think it would hurt them. Hopefully someone with more experience of this will be along soon.

 

[artcasper]

I wondered about those @artcasper but was worried about the perfume?

I don't think it would hurt them. Hopefully someone with more experience of this will be along soon.

True as some do have a slight scent....really not sure.

 

[Mo & Stubbins & Vani]

Thank you for your help.
It means a lot. ☺

 

[The Foord Piggies]

Being a GuineaDad user myself, I have heard that the dryer sheets clog the absorbent layer so are not recommended. Do you use/have the "extra spin" setting on your washer? If so, I find that it helps so much that I don't have to use the dryer; I just hang it on the back of a chair for a few hours and it comes out bone dry!

 

[Mo & Stubbins & Vani]

Being a GuineaDad user myself, I have heard that the dryer sheets clog the absorbent layer so are not recommended. Do you use/have the "extra spin" setting on your washer? If so, I find that it helps so much that I don't have to use the dryer; I just hang it on the back of a chair for a few hours and it comes out bone dry!

Thank you!
I'll give that a shot!

 

[Betsy]

I spin my fleeces at 1400 and then tumble them and not had a problem with static electricity as the time spent in the dryer is considerably less.

 

[Mo & Stubbins & Vani]

I spin my fleeces at 1400 and then tumble them and not had a problem with static electricity as the time spent in the dryer is considerably less.

Thank you!
The GuineaDad fleece has to be in the dryer for quite a while. It is large and bulky, and can only be dried on the "low" or "cool air" setting. I try to air dry them, but that can take hours!

 

[Betsy]

Do you shake them out once they come out of the dryer? This can help release the static.