Helpful Uses For Silica Gel Packets

You know the little packets that come in things like shoe boxes, they specifically say “Do Not Eat” on them, and you probably just throw them away immediately so that kids and pets don’t accidentally eat them?  Well, it turns out, they aren’t toxic afterall, and there are many uses for them.  How do I know this?  Ahh…my puppy got a hold of one right after Christmas and I panicked.  So I looked it up, and no, you don’t want your animals eating them, but silica gel is actually not poisonous.   This is what I found out when I looked it up:

“Silica gel is a form of the naturally occurring mineral silicon dioxide, better known in its granular form as sand or in crystals as quartz. Contrary to the warnings—it’s an inert, nontoxic substance that’s essentially harmless. Indigestible, it passes through the body and comes out looking much the same as when it went in.”

You still don’t want to eat the things, but you can at least get some use out of them.  Here’s a few suggestions:

Freshen Your Gym Bag

Well, they keep your shoes dry so why not your sweaty gym clothes?  The packets will absorb a good amount of the moisture from sweat in your bag, keeping the bacteria’s smell at bay.

Dry Out Your Makeup Bag

Nothing can ruin your expensive makeup like spilling water on it, even if it’s just a little. That’s why the little gel balls are perfect for soaking up the mess.  Each silica gel ball can absorb 20-40% of its own weight. So that means a typical sized gel packet can absorb around 4 grams of water.  Boom. Makeup saved.

Protect Silver From Tarnish

When silver is exposed to chemicals in the air, it develops a tarnished layer. Moisture in the air speeds up this process, which is where silica gel comes in handy.  When you put your silver away, whether its jewelry or anything else, you’d be best served wrapping it up with a few packets of silica gel.

No More Musty Smelling Books

Personally, I love that musty book smell. However, it doesn’t work for everyone.  If you don’t enjoy ye old book smell, you can either not read books, or throw your favorites into a bag with a few silica gel packs.  Getting rid of some of the moisture around the books slows down the paper’s decomposition.

Extend life of Razors

Water keeps us all alive, but it sure does ruin some of our stuff too.  Simply throw your razor in a zip-lock bag with the gel packets. This will keep the blades dry and rust free for longer.

So there you have it!  Some uses for silica gel packets besides the inside of your trash can!

  • Loren Petisce is the Midday Host on 99.9 The Q and Afternoon Host on Cape Country 104.

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