You know those disposable silica packets that come in your packaging? You should actually hang on to them; their moisture-wicking properties come in handy all over the house.
If you've ever bought shoes, handbags, and other merchandise, you've definitely come across little silica gel packets. Their purpose is to preserve products and eliminate moisture that can lead to damage and mildew. That means you can use them on other items too -- not just the ones they came packaged with. So don't toss silica gel packets; save them! And reuse them in these cool way.
SAVE YOUR ELECTRONICS
If you accidentally get water in your camera or cell phone, store it immediately in a plastic bag filled with silica gel packets, which will absorb the moisture and save the device in a matter of days.
PROTECT YOUR ELECTRONICS
Here's a secret that the photo-savvy know : Keep silica gel packets in your camera case at all times to prevent moisture-related problems. And if you're headed to the beach, pack a plastic zip-top bag with a silica gel pack inside, and use it to stash and seal up cell phones, cameras and other electronic equipment. When you open it to answer to phone or take a picture some moisture can get inside the bag. The silica gel will quickly wick away the moisture and protect the electronics.
PROTECT YOUR PHOTOS
Put silica gel packet in the boxes where you store your photos to keep them safe and dry.
PROTECT SILVER
Moisture can lead to tarnish and corrosion on silver and jewelry. Slip a silica gel packet in your silver chest or jewelry box to keep those items tarnish free and looking great!
PROTECT FISHING EQUIPMENT
If you're an outdoor sports enthusiast keep silica gel packets in tackle boxes, golf bags or with your climbing gear. The packets will prevent rust from forming on your equipment. This also works to protect your tools in the toolboxes or workshop.
PROTECT YOUR WARDROBE
If you live in a high humidity area, stash silica gel packets in with your clothes when you put them in storage for the winter and in your closets where you store coats and linens. They will wick away excess moisture and prevent mustiness.
Tip: If your silica gel packets don't seem to be working any more, put them on a cookie sheet in a 100 degree oven for an hour to recharge! When you're not using the packets, keep them in an airtight container to protect them from surrounding moisture.
For more ideas and home hints, visit Mrs. FIXIT!
Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)
Put them into a small container that has a lid. Put hearing aids in the container, less the batteries, over night to absorb the moisture.
ReplyThis is AWESOME!! What a cool thing to know. I always toss those little packs. Now I think I'll store in the bathroom cabinet since the moisture is always so high in a bathroom with showers and all. Check out Http://bit.ly/SavingIdeas for some more quick, easy tips. They also offer a lot of FREE stuff. I like the idea of keeping the little packets near photos too.
Wow! man! never knew that! Also, I save all the foam peanuts and air bubble wraps of all sizes for reusing for packing to ship my packages out....i am already drowning in foam peanuts!! i am not shipping out as often as receiving them..
ReplyUPS will accept foam popcorn (peanuts).
They'll absorb marxist ideology, too.
ReplyOne thing you have to remember about these little "packets", though - if they get wet they expand. If a child or animals swallows them, they will expand in their stomachs. You have to be very careful with these things. Many people are diligent and put them away, but what about the few that don't?? Animals love to pick up things and eat them. A small dogs gets one of these, they're going to have a nice lump in their stomachs - and the things keeps absorbing water, so it will just keep sucking all the liquid into it and make a big ball. Same with small children. I'd rather err on the side of caution - I don't think any room in my house is that MOIST that I need to hang on to these things!!! Thanks for the tip, but it's a pass for me!!!
ReplyYeah, if you have pets, especially cats, throw the silica packets out.. One ingested packet can kill a cat. I know.
Hey, maybe we can feed several dozen of them to the spammers, so hopefully their intestines will become so knotted up they'll die and stop trying to steal from others! Disgraceful these comment boards are becoming rip-off boards from those scum advertising their scams, and stupid AOL does nothing about it.
ReplySince we're talking about preserving things fgrom moisture...try mixing in some rice into your salt shaker to prevent the salt from moisture and clogging up the shaker.
ReplyI have been saving these for years. I got a tip years ago from my husband's grandmother. Open the packets and keep them in a rubbermaid type container. Then, when you have a flower, like a corsage that you want to keep, all you have to do it put the flower in the container for a few days. When you pull it out you have a nice dried flower.
ReplyI have been using them for years in packed up quilts, blankets or clothes, like in totes.
ReplyI save them and have been putting them in my fishing tackle box.
ReplyI put them under the kitchen and bathroom sinks to prevent mildew.
Reply"Recharging" silica gel in the oven works best in an electric oven. Gas ovens produce water as they burn the gas, leading to moist air.
ReplyRice will do the same thing. There is no need to have all this artificial stuff around the house. Especially if you have small children.
ReplyIf you do spill water on your phone ,or drop it in water, use a hair dryer then put it in a zip lock baggie with rice and it will pull ALL the water out of it. This does work.
Replyworks great in the gun safe
ReplyWhen getting a cell phone or camera wet, you must remove the battery pack / batteries ASAP to prevent diestructive eletrolysis ( erosion ) from eating the circuitry up inside.. Silica jell OR rice or minute rice. Put item in a jar or plastic bag and completely cover with the drying agent over night. You might not want to eat the rice afterwards !! ( LOL )
Reply