10 creative ways to use silica gel packets so you never throw them away!

Silica gel is a dried gel made from silicic acids, the main superpower of which is the ability to actively absorb moisture. In industry, it is used for various purposes – from drying various gases to protecting equipment from corrosion during storage.

The secret to silica gel is that the pearl isn’t actually a pearl. If you look at it under a microscope, you can see that it consists of many fibers intertwined with each other – they absorb water. The gel is capable of absorbing 40% of moisture from its own volume.

Silica gel lasts between one and three years, but there is a simple trick that can extend it for eternity. Dry the bags by leaving them in the sun or placing them in the oven at 80°C for 15 minutes and they are ready to be used again.

Silica gel itself is harmless: you will not be poisoned if you eat it. However, this should not be done: on the one hand, this can lead to intestinal dehydration, and on the other hand, manufacturers often use additives – for example, intended to repel rodents or colored humidity indicators.

If you know the properties of silica gel, you can easily reuse it. For example, here is what you can do.

Did you drop your smartphone in water? Leave the rice alone – it will be useful for buns or pilaf. Place the wet phone in a plastic zip-top bag, add a few packets of silica gel and wait 48 hours. Gel works better than cereal and it’s not as dusty.

Do you always have your passport in your bag? Add a packet of silica gel to the pocket where it is located. The rains have not been canceled – even if the bag is not wet, it gets damp, which can affect the condition of the document. You should also put silica gel in a drawer with important papers, just in case.

Place a few packets of silica gel directly on your car’s dashboard to absorb excess moisture and prevent fogging of the window. This tip also works on windows: place the gel where they become covered with condensation.

We all know that it’s best not to throw wet clothes in the laundry basket – and we all break this rule often. To prevent clothes and towels from becoming a source of musty odors, throw a few bags of silica gel at the bottom: they will absorb excess moisture and prevent bacteria from multiplying.

Do you feel like your razors are rusting too quickly? We agree: they could last longer. The moisture remaining between the slats is the cause. Fortunately, it’s very simple to keep them dry: store the razor by placing it on a sachet of silica gel.

Are your shoes or sneakers wet after the rain, but you don’t want to leave them to dry in the hallway? Place a few sachets of silica gel inside and immediately store them in the cupboard. You can also dispose of the gel inside your sneakers immediately after removing them if you are bothered by an unpleasant odor coming from your shoes.

Do you pour dog food from bags into containers? Add a few sachets of silica gel there – they can be fixed under the lid and the food will retain its aroma and “crunch” for longer.

All it takes is a little moisture for laundry detergent, baking soda, sodium carbonate, or borax to harden into clumps. There is a simple way to avoid this: add silica gel packets to the packages or containers in which you store products.

We don’t take silver cutlery out very often, they spend most of their time in a box. Put a few packets of silica gel in there and the metal won’t tarnish (or tarnish so quickly). By the way, this tip works great for a jewelry box.

Silica gel will protect all metals susceptible to corrosion. Add the bags to your tool bins, pin and needle organizers, fishing tackle boxes or ammo safes. (Who said only men are interested in hunting and fishing?)

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