Mominar 058: Silica Gel Packets-Uses

Silica Gel Packets-Uses

Did you know that silica gel packets have several uses? You are going to love this LIFE HACKS!

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What is Silica?

You will find silica gel packets in lots of brand-new items. Do NOT throw them away!

If you are paying attention, you may have found them in:

  • Shoes
  • Food
  • Clothing
  • Electronics
  • Medication
  • Vitamins
  • Cat litter

SILICA is a compound made up of clay, volcanic ash, and mineral dust. The main use of silica is to keep things dry. 

It can absorb up to 40% of its weight in moisture, and you may have noticed that it is in a lot of packaging of new items. 

Why? The answer is to keep those items free from humidity and moisture. Dampness can ruin products before purchase.

Are Silica Gel Packets Safe To Use?

It does say, ‘do not eat’, and, ‘throw away’ on its packaging. I have two things to say about that.

First of all, silica is NON-toxic. I wouldn’t recommend you sprinkle it on your food. However, if it accidentally gets ingested, you will be okay.

Here is a true story. My child once ate a silica packet. I freaked out and called poison control. They told me he would be okay. And he was.

Secondly, even though the package says to “throw away”, don’t throw them out! 

They are really handy to keep around.

I have a box of them. And here are some of the ways you can reuse these packets. 

  • Dropped your cell phone in water? Immediately put it in a bag with a few silica packets. I left my phone in the bag overnight. And it was fine the next day.
  • Stinky shoes
  • Sweaty gym bag
  • Boxing gloves
  • They prevent rust on tools and sewing kits
  • The packets that come in food are food safe. I use them to keep bags of spinach and other leafy greens from going rotten too soon.

One more great way to use Silica Packets

Here is my most recent discovery. The touchpad on my laptop stopped working. 

I checked the settings. It wasn’t that. 

I had just cleaned my laptop screen with a cloth that I had sprayed with cleaner, and I wiped that over the touchpad. Shortly thereafter, the touchpad stopped working.

Was it from wiping it down with the cloth I had sprayed with screen cleaner? Or maybe it was just the oils and sometimes lotion from my fingers?

I put 2 silica packets on the touchpad and closed my computer for the night. 

The next day the touchpad worked!

You must make sure to dry out any electronic item that gets wet as soon as possible! 

Silica packets may just solve your problem and save you hundreds of dollars in repairs.

What have you used Silica packets for? Tell me in the comments!

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