11 Practical Reasons To Save Those Silica Gel Packets

Feb 27, 2023

Uses For Silica Gel Packets - hand putting silica gel packet in shoes, get packet in a book, hand putting a razor on a gel packet, gel packet in the lid of a bucket.

These Silica Gel Uses Are Incredibly Helpful

You already know you’re not supposed to eat them, but have you ever wondered if there’s anything you can do with those little dessicant packets? After all, you have probably gotten dozens, if not hundreds, of them inside a variety of different products. I asked myself that same question a few weeks ago, and after a bit of research, I learned that there are actually plenty of ways to put silica gel packets to good use!

I’ll be sharing 11 brilliant uses for silica gel packets with you in today’s post. But before we jump in, I wanted to briefly talk about what silica gel packets actually are, and why they are included with certain products in the first place.

What Is Silica Gel Used For?

Silica gel is quite useful because it is a desiccant, which means it capable of absorbing and holding moisture. Silica gel packets are an efficient and cost-effective way for companies to protect their products from excess moisture or spoilage.

You can find silica gel packets included with all sorts of things that need to be preserved or kept dry, including electronics, vitamins, leather goods, dried meat products, and more.

How Long Do Silica Packets Last?

While it depends on the environment they’re stored in, silica gel packets generally last between 1 and 3 years. But even then, you don’t have to toss them out, because you can reactivate the silica gel inside quite easily!

Just spread the silica gel bead packets you want to reactivate out in a single layer on a baking sheet, then put them in your oven at 175°F for 15 minutes to draw out any moisture trapped inside. Let them cool off, then store them in a ziplock bag until needed.

11 Brilliant Uses For Silica Gel Packets

iPhone in ziplock bag with several Silica Gel Packets

1. Save Your Phone

Dropped your phone in water? Use silica packets to save it! Just place the phone in a plastic baggie along with a few packets, and let it sit for 24-48 hours. It’s more effective and less dusty than rice!

Hand putting a Silica Gel Packet into a tool box

2. Prevent Rust

Toss a couple of silica gel packets into your tool box. The gel will absorb excess moisture and help keep your tools rust-free.

Hand putting a disposable razor onto a Silica Gel Packet

3. Make Razors Last

If it feels like your razors are deteriorating quickly, excess moisture is the most likely culprit. Because even if you wipe the blades dry, it’s nearly impossible to get all the moisture out of the inside! But you can keep your razor drier by setting it on a silica gel pack whenever you’re not using it. The packet will absorb the excess moisture and condensation to make your razor last longer!

Hand putting Silica Gel Packets into a gym bag

4. Freshen Your Gym Bag

Throw a few gel packs into the bottom of your gym bag. They’ll help absorb the moisture (and the smell) from your workout clothes and shoes, which will help keep your bag fresh.

hand putting a Silica Gel Packet into a hanging file

5. Preserve Treasured Memories

Put a silica gel packet into any box or container where you keep photos, important documents, or any sort of memorabilia. The packets will help keep them dry so you can enjoy them for years to come!

hands putting Silica Gel Packets into a camera bag with a camera

6. Protect Your Electronics

Keep a silica gel packet wherever you store any electronics with a lens or a screen. These items are particularly sensitive to moisture and condensation, so storing a gel pack with them can be a cheap insurance policy against moisture damage.

hand putting Silica Gel Packets into a container with silver spoons

7. Prevent Silver Tarnish

Put a couple of gel packets inside your jewelry box and alongside your nice silverware. Keeping silver items dry will help prevent tarnish (or at least slow it down.)

Silica Gel Packet inside the lid of a dry dog food container

8. Keep Pet Food Fresh

It can be really hard to keep things dry in humid areas, and pet food is no exception. Your best bet for keeping dry food dry is to transfer it to an airtight container with a few silica get packets. Toss them right in with the food, or tape the packets to the underside of the lid.

Silica Gel Packets between pages of a book

9. Keep Books Dry

Keep your book collection dry and less musty smelling by storing them with silica packets. You can distribute a few around your bookcase, or even store a packet within the pages of your most treasured old book.

hand putting a Silica Gel Packet into a plastic bottle of Feverfew

10. Preserve Pills

If you keep vitamins, medications, and other pills in your bathroom, put a silica gel packet in each bottle to help keep them dry. Bathrooms are highly humid, so your pills are exposed to humidity every time you open the bottle. And even a little bit of humidity can cause pills to start to dissolve prematurely!

brunette woman inside car, placing Silica Gel Packets onto dashboard

11. Defog Your Windshield

Stash a few silica gel packets right on the dashboard of your car. They will help absorb some of the excess moisture that caused fog to form on the inside of your windshield.

Looking For More Posts Like This?

I’ve written dozens of blog posts about creative alternative uses for everyday items, and now there’s a quick and easy way to peruse them!
Check out all of my “Uses For” posts here.

Do you know of any other brilliant uses for silica gel packets?