Static electricity is so bad here now that I literally am scared to touch my tonearm at the end of a record. It shocks me so bad it makes me jump. I have practically damaged my cartridge a couple of times. I think I am gonna mix some fabric softener and water and spray around and see if it helps any. Any other ideas?

We used to use Zerostat guns at my radio station, back when I was a DJ. They used to be sold under the Discwasher name, but a Google search turns up Milty as the current brand name.

I touch a metal lamp (grounding myself) before I reach for the arm. I know what you mean though. Cold dry winters wreak havoc on static. My cat even runs for cover because he's tired of getting zapped.

If you live in the north, it's a serious problem. Serious in that you can actually zap your records, put little holes right in the vinyl.
If your TT does not have a 3 wire plug, then make sure you add a ground wire from the TT and run it over to ground on the receiver(assuming it has a 3 wire plug). Otherwise, run the ground wire to the green wire inside the 120v socket.
You may have to open the TT and investigate what grounding is present inside. I opened my AR-XA and discovered a missing ground wire.
Also, get rid off any rubber/foam mat material. I switched to cork amd finally eliminated most of the trouble.

Best solution, run a humidifier.. Lack of humidity causes bad static build-up and also ground yourself to something metal before you touch your turn table.

Thanks I will try all those things. It is really shocking the crap out of me at the end of every album to the extent it makes me jerk. Its the worst its been all winter the last few days. When I worked in computers what we did is put a tablespoon of fabric softener in a spray bottle of water and sprayed it around on the carpets. I don't use fabric softener at home or I would have already mixed up a batch.

Your nose and skin will thank you too if you get a humidifier..

We have a baseboard hot water system for heat so I hardly get shocked at home, but at work and in the car... WOW!

Standing next to the rack, I always knock my knuckles on the radiator before touching the tonearm.

Works for me.

Try this it seem to get rid of mine.
1 I use a carbon fiber brush to clean dust before i play
2 Zerostat Gun.
3 this one really seem to help and I don't know why but I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth.
I use a piece of that rubber shelf liner under my 1600MKII. It's the cheap rubber stuff they sell at Big Lots, it comes in rolls. The one I'm speaking of if you use it as a record mat leaves a residue.
Hope this helps.

Okay, i've read in other threads that people use static guard on their records.

Is this really ok? I spray it on my shorts without a worry, but is there anything in the static guard that could harm the vinyl?

If this is mostly a winter thing, it's because your house humidity is too low/dry. As similost has suggested, a humidifier is what you need. Your suggestion about spraying will help temporarily, but unless you're going to do it about once an hour, it's not a long-term solution. Lots of different kinds available, some you can attach to your furnace (forced-air). Added benefits to keeping your humidity higher include less nose and skin irritations, you feel warmer at the same temperature, wooden stuff doesn't shrink as much (thus come unglued). Disclaimer: no affiliation, just a very satisfied owner. I run a bunch of Venta AirWashers in my house in WI and only occasionally have static problems. Come in several sizes (according to room size), easy to refill and clean, also clean the air, made in Germany, 10 year guarantee. Expensive, but worth the money. Occasionally used ones come up for sale on eBay (need to watch). Do an online search for more info.

it's really not a problem anywhere else in the house. static guard will be ok for me as a temporary solution, but will it harm the vinyl?

If it's not just a winter problem, maybe it's your carpet (if you have it in this room). Do you have some horrendous polyester stuff on your floor? Walking across that is sorta like the old balloon and sweater trick. If you do, get rid of it and your problems may be solved.

I wouldn't use static guard on the records themselves. It has some sort of waxy additive that will build up in the grooves (but lets it stick to clothes). Your stylus will get ruined and your records will have to be unglopped.

we have hardwood, so that's not it.

but thanks about the info on the additive. that's the answer i was looking for.