A large amount of planning, thought and design go into every bit of packaging that you see on store shelves. There are actually packaging designers who do nothing but create different types of containers and inserts in order to solve the problems surrounding transporting and storing products. Many different things are commonly found in packaging that people just throw away, like cardboard inserts, foam peanuts and pouches of air.
One of the things that you might find is a silica gel pack. This small bag of granules is not something you want to throw, it can be very useful. Silica gel packs contain either a powered form of silicic acid or small beads made from silica gel. The contents of the packs are a desiccant. This means the powder or beads will absorb moisture from the air so that the humidity in an area is as low as possible. They are used to protect things that can be ruined by excessive moisture like electronics, pills or leather shoes. The packets clearly state that they should be thrown away and certainly not eaten. But so long as you aren’t using them as snack food, the packets will likely do you no harm.
One great use for silica packs is to keep your gym or clothing bags smelling fresh and clean. Drop a few packs into the back and let them sit on the bottom. The gel will absorb any moisture from your sweat that could enable bacteria to grow fast and cause unpleasant odors. The packs will slow down or stop the bacteria from forming so they are also great to use in your bathroom. A simple option is to place the packs throughout your linen and towel closets or drawers. The pack will absorb moisture to keep your towels or linens feeling and smelling fresh and dry.
The packs can actually prevent problems with mildew and mold that could ruin your towels and cause bad smells. Another technique involves preserving your razors. The humidity in a bathroom can cause your razors to rust fast or develop a coating of grime. Put the razors in a sealable plastic container and throw a silica gel pack in there to protect your razor against moisture.
Use silica gel to rescue your cell phone or mobile device next time it gets wet, and toss it into a jar or bag with the gel packs andf let it sit there for several hours. The packs will draw out the moisture and could potentially save your device if you act fast.
Silica gel packs can also be very useful in your car. Grab a handful of packs and place them on the floor of your car. Put a few on the top of the dashboard. The packs are going to extract moisture from inside your car. This will prevent fog from forming on the inside of your car windows in some cases.
Finally, these packs can preserve your precious pictures and mementos. Put the packs in boxes along with your photos, scrapbooks or family heirlooms and they will protect your mementos against high humidity that occurs in a basements or attics. Change the packs every one to three years depending on how much moisture is in the air.