Stop Throwing Out Silica Packets. Here’s 17 Ways To Use Them

Silica packets come in almost everything these days. I used to just throw them in the garbage because they had ‘served their purpose’. I have since changed my ways and now I keep the little packets. Why? The answer is simple: there are so many ways to reuse the silica packets. Here are some of my favorite ways to use them:

Razors

Razors can become dull long before they should. That is because of the moisture and oxidation. Blotting your razor dry will help but, it doesn’t eliminate all of the moisture. Thankfully, there is an easy fix. Store your razors in a sealed Tupperware container with about four or five silica packets.

Swimsuits and Towels

Whether it is vacation or just a day by the pool, putting wet swimsuits and towels in your bag or suitcase is less than desirable. By adding silica packets to the bags it will help draw out the moisture from the wet clothes. The more packets you have the more moisture that will be drawn out.

Camera Bag

Putting a couple silica packets in your camera bag will help prolong the life of your camera. This is especially helpful if you live in an area that has high humidity.

Picture Boxes

Adding silica packets to the boxes of pictures you have at home will help to keep the moisture at bay within the boxes. By doing this, you are preserving your pictures so they can last for years and years to come.

Wet Cell Phones

If your phone gets dropped in water, dry it off completely with a towel. Take out the battery then put it in a ziploc bag with a handful of silica packets. Wait 72 hours then power on.

Silver

Silver tarnishes. It doesn’t matter if you have silver jewelry or silver flatware, it will over time tarnish. Adding silica packets to your jewelry box or flatware storage area will keep the moisture away from them. Since there won’t be much moisture these items are less likely to tarnish.

Fire Box / Safe

If you put all of your important papers in a fire box or a safe, there is a chance that you will find damp papers next time you open it. Tossing in a few silica packets will help to keep the moisture at bay so your documents stay dry.

Tools

Over time, tools can rust. Throwing in a couple of silica packets will help to slow this process down.

Gym Bag

Gym bags tend to get pretty stinky. Adding a handful of silica packets to your gym bag will help to minimize the odors that are in there.

Spices

We all have those spices that aren’t used very much. Somehow, despite not being used the still end up as one hard clump. Placing a silica packet inside the jar will help to eliminate any moisture that may get in.

Musty Books

As books age they tend to take on a musty smell. You can easily eliminate the musty smell by placing the book in a sealed bag with some silica packets. This will also keep the book from molding as well.

Foggy Windshield

Foggy windshields can make it extremely hard to see while driving. Keep a few silica packets on your dashboard and it will help to keep the fogging down.

Medicines

Many people store their medications in the bathroom. This leaves the medications exposed to moisture and can cause the coating of the pills to prematurely dissolve. By putting silica packets in the pill bottles you can help to absorb the moisture.

Fabric

If you use fabric for sewing or other craft projects, silica packets can be helpful for you as well. Add a few silica packets to your storage system to keep your fabric from getting damp.

Seeds

Whether you are an avid gardener or a beginner it is likely that you will have seeds left over to use next year. The trick is to keep them from molding in the meantime. Add some silica packets to a sealed container and you should be good to go come next spring.

Pet Food

If you have pets it is easier to buy their food in bulk rather than small bags every couple of days. The problem is that the food can sometimes end up soggy. Transferring the food to a sealed container and taping a few silica packets to the lid will help to keep your pets food fresh until it is gone.

Shoes

Even wearing socks, shoes can sometimes get damp and stinky. Who wants to wear stinky shoes? Not me. Place a couple of silica packets inside your shoes and not only will it help to dry them out but, will also help to remove the odor. There are so many uses for those silica packets that it just doesn’t make sense to throw them away. The 16 uses above are just a few of the almost endless possibilities so instead of tossing those pesky things, start building a stash of them in a sealed bag or container. You will be very thankful you did.