15 Ways to make use of silica gel packets

If you’d rather not read there’s an accompanying video below.

You have seen them before. Those little packets found in everything from beef jerky, vitamin bottles, shoe boxes, electronics and more. Usually people just throw them in the trash when we should be holding on to them.

Silica gel is a desiccant, meaning it is a substance that absorbs moisture. It is a highly porous mineral with a fondness for water molecules. It does its best to suck in surrounding moisture and seal it within.

They are used to keep goods from being compromised and or spoiling due to humidity. While not safe to eat, the gel which looks like tapioca pudding beads when broke open, are non-toxic and not harmful unless mixed with some chemicals.

If you ever stared at one of these things thinking how can they be reused then look no further. It’s not a bad idea to start saving these things when you find them. If you know anyone who works in a department store or factory they can probably acquire hundreds for you, free of cost, rather than just throw them away.

So you’re probably asking yourself what is it you can do with these things. Here are some great ideas.

1. Safeguard your important documents and personal papers by putting some in a open baggy, wherever your documents are stored.
2. You can use them to dry out waterlogged Electronics such as cell phones, MP3 players and more. This works much better than a dish of rice, just remember to remove the battery and put it in a small tupperware container overnight before powering the device back on. Use 10 to 15 packs.

3. Place three to five packets in your toolbox to keep your tools from rusting.

4. Large bags of dog food may eventually get soggy if the temperatures are meddling and the food not consumed fast enough. Use masking tape to affix several packets to the bottom of the container lid.

5. Put them in between window sills to keep condensation from forming on the glass.

6. Place them in your ammunition cans and gun cases to keep them dry and better protected.

7. Put them in with your razor blades to keep them from being compromised due du to oxidizing.

8. Place them in with your seed collections to stop mold from setting in.

9. Do you have a hard water problem? Then your silverware will Rust quickly. Throw a few packets in with your silverware tray to slow down the process.

10. Place them in your family photo box or behind picture frames to keep the humidity off of them.

11. Clothes that are stored for long periods of time deteriorate, especially leather. Place them in the pockets of your clothing to have them last longer.

12. Eventually first generation DVDs, and presently older compact discs and computer CD games are starting to rot and fail to work. This is from storing them improperly. Silica gel stops this from happening.

13. You can dry flowers out with silica packets.

14. Store them in your jewelry box to keep jewelry from tarnishing.

15. Keep them in your vehicle near your dashboard. This ensures your windshield has clear visibility during times of high humidity.

There you have it. These silly little packets have quite the replay value and can extend to life and usefulness of money household items. And while I have yet to try this you can recharge the spent beads simply by baking them in the oven while on a cookie sheet.

Do you know any more uses for silica gel? If so please leave your comments below.