Don’t Throw Away Those Silica Gel Packets! Here Are 14 Smart Ways to Reuse Them
Those tiny little packs of dessicant that come in your new pack of shoes or your vitamins have many uses around your home. Anywhere that moisture is a problem, silica gel packets can help alleviate the issue. Keep them stored in an airtight container away from pets and children (they are a choking hazard) and whip them out in the following scenarios.
Around the Kitchen
Keep vitamins from moisture damage. (It’s good to just keep those silica packs that come in the vitamin containers; save them once the vitamins are finished.)
Keep dry food and pet food fresh and crispy with a silica gel pack taped to the lid of your storage container.
In the Closet
Put a few silica gel packs in the bottom of your clothes hamper to absorb moisture from clothes or damp towels.
A pack of silica gel will help dry out wet shoes or boots.
Around the House
Reduce condensation on windows by setting a silica gel pack on the window sill. (Remember to keep them away from children and pets)
Help dry out a non-water-resistant cell phone by putting it in a sealed bag with several silica gel packs.
Protect important documents and photos from moisture with a silica gel pack inside the box or file cabinet.
Boxes of paper memories — like old papers, photos or notebooks — in storage? Silica gel packs stored in the same container will adsorb moisture.
Store silica gel packs with your tools to help prevent rust damage.
Store some in your medicine cabinet if you keep medication in there. The silica gel packs will help keep humidity down.
Keep razors from moisture damage by storing them in a sealed container with a silica gel pack.
Placing a few silica gel packs between your dashboard and windshield in the car will help keep fogging to a minimum.
When You Travel
Keep luggage dry while it’s in storage by tossing a silica gel pack in each suitcase.
Toss a few silica gel packs in a Ziploc bag if you can’t dry your bathing suit before packing it.
Bonus Tip: To “reactivate” silica gel packs that are saturated with moisture, place them on a baking sheet in a 200 degree oven away from the heating element for two hours.
This post was originally published on Apartment Therapy. Read it there: Why You Should Never Throw Away Silica Gel Packets
