I know of several people who do this, but I don't personally recommend it...
You can use what is now commercially sold as "fabric softener sheets" that are used in the dryer when you do laundry. These products were actually originally marketed as anti-static sheets. It was later on that the "fabric softening" and "fragrance" features were marketed, so many forget that they remove the static cling in fabrics.
Guess, what... they also remove the "static cling" on those stocksheets as well! Some collectors I know will gently wipe, others will simply store fabric softener sheets with the pages for a short period of time.
I've never done this, but I've been told many times it works. Wouldn't try it with stamps still in the sheet, though. Also, make sure your hands are dry, or you might leave some residue. I'm not sure what the long-term effects on the stocksheet and stamps may be. Also, I would suggest getting the "fragrance-free" sheets.
My study room is a very dusty environment because of all my paper and boxes. I use (or have accumulated) Vario and Vario-type stocksheets extensively. Based on my experience, these have been my observations...
-- static is rarely a problem on modern (<15 yrs) genuine Vario stocksheets (G&K brand seem to be OK also, so far); the genuine Varios will either have Vario written on it somewhere or have the Lighthouse logo; just because it says "Made in Germany" on it doesn't mean it's a Vario; I do not know why this is true, perhaps Vario/G&K have applied some sort of anti-static to their product?
-- static is a problem on older Varios, pseudo-Varios, and Vario-type stocksheets made by other manufacturers
The best way to avoid the dust problem is still prevention. I cannot reduce the dust production in my study room, so I do the following...
-- before I use a new Vario-type sheet or put the Vario sheet back into an album, I lay it flat on one of my metal filing cabinets to discharge any static build-up
-- I store my Varios in extra large colored zipper binders which I purchased at clearance from Office Supply stores over the years (I bought about 30-40 at $1-$3 each); these binders are actually large enough to put Scott International page into, and in fact, I haven't found an album page that WON'T fit in them!); it's a LOT cheaper than buying dustcovers (what a rip-off!!)
-- although not traditional in appearance, the zipper binders look neat and orderly and I can color-code my collection
Anyway, those are just my thoughts on this matter...
Enjoy your stamps and your Varios!
k
Posted 08/20/2009 1:51 pm
