After Reading THIS You’ll Never Throw Away These Little Bags Again…(#5 Is My Favorite)

Have you ever wondered what those little packets in your shoes boxes really do?

You’ve probably heard your parents say not to touch them as they were thought to be toxic. You probably even have the habit of throwing them away instantly.

However, a lot of people are discovering that these little packs of silica gel are much more useful than you think.

What Is Silica Gel?

Silicon dioxide (SiO2), also known as silica, is a natural compound made of two of the earth’s most abundant materials: silicon (Si) and oxygen (O2).

The Earth’s crust is 59 percent silica, and it makes up more than 95 percent of known rocks on the planet. When you sit on a beach, it’s silicon dioxide in the form of sand that gets

between your toes.

This same substance can be very useful around the house. Here is how you can use them:

11 Household Uses For Silica Gel

Silica gel is a desiccant, a substance that absorbs moisture, which makes these packets perfect for keeping things extremely dry and moisture-free.

1. Rescue A Wet Cellphone

If your cellphone gets wet, quickly remove the battery and wipe away excess water and place both parts in an airtight container with a few packs of silica gel. The more gel the better.

Leave it for 24 hours or so and try turning your phone back on. If it didn’t quite work, repeat the process with new packs of silica. Some phones are more sensitive to water damage than others, so results may vary.

2. Maintain Razor Blades

Razor blades gets dull after being an environment with excess moisture for too long. To extent the life of your blades, wipe them dry with a clean towel and place in a ziplock bag containing a few packs of silica gel.

You can also use this method to store unused razor blades to keep them sharp.

3. Remove Fog From Camera Lenses

Place a little bag of silica gel in you camera case while you travel to keep you camera case from humidity and keep your lenses clear.

You can also use packs of silica gel in underwater or waterproof cases for extra protection.

4. Protect Silverware

Moisture tarnishes and corrodes your silver jewelry and serving ware over time. If you’re going to go through the pain of polishing and maintaining those silver items, make sure to store them with a few packs of silica gel.

5. Prevent Windshield Fog

Changes in temperature can cause windshield fog, dramatically reducing visibility. To avoid these dangerous conditions, place a few bags of silica gel on your dashboard to wick away humidity.

6. Extend The Life Of Jack’O Laterns

There’s nothing more disappointing for a child than seeing his beloved carved pumpkin rot before Halloween. To keep your pumpkin fresh and firm, keep it away from the rain and place few packs of silica gel inside it.

Just make sure to remove the packs before lighting a candle.

7. Keep Your Linens Fresh

A little humidity can leave your closet smelling moldy and unpleasant, especially if your clothes or linens aren’t completely dry. Before putting away your linens, always make sure that everything is perfectly dry.

You can also add a few packs of silica gel in an open box to keep moisture at bay.

8. Protect Important Documents

Ever noticed the musty smell that old books sometimes have? Water can leave your important papers crinkly, unreadable and most of all, smelly.

To avoid this, keep your documents in waterproof boxes containing a few packs of silica gel. You can also add a few in your filing cabinet.

9. Protect Electronics

When traveling to humid destinations, protect your camera, phone and laptop by storing them in air-tight, waterproof containers with a few packs of silica gel.

Humidity can accumulate inside these precious items, so it’s important to take this step to best protect your belongings.

10. Keep Spices Dry

A little humidity can ruin dry goods, whether it be spices, dog food or lentils. When you purchase these items, make sure to store them in air-tight containers to prevent mold and bacteria from growing. While you’re at it, throw in some trusty silica gel!

You can also use this trick to store gardening seeds over the winter. Just divide each type of seed into envelopes and keep in a Tupperware container with one pack of silica gel.

11. Prevent Gym Bag Funk

Sweaty clothes and shoes make your gym bag really humid. Event though you remove your clothes at home and wash them, your bag is still full of moisture.

Wash your bag at least once a month and place a few bags of silica gel with your gear to keep it dry. Make sure to shake off your clothes and your bag so that none end up in your washing machine.

After using these packs a few times, regenerate them in a 200 degree oven for about two hours and store them in an airtight Ziploc bag until needed.