Showing posts with label Silica Gel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Silica Gel. Show all posts

Aug 17, 2010

New Uses for Silica Gel

Here are several great suggestions for using these packs around the house. They can be found in all sorts of packaging, vitamin bottles, and even new shoes. Some kitty litter is now made with silica to aid absorption. Some folks even use it for the same purposes as listed below.

Silica gel is a desiccant, a substance that absorbs moisture. The silicate is actually a very porous mineral with a natural attraction to water molecules. Manufacturers utilize the gel to keep goods from spoiling, molding, or degrading due to humidity. The gel itself is nontoxic and most silica found in food and household items looks like tapioca beads and is benign unless combined with certain chemicals.

Here are a few interesting uses for the stuff:
    * Put packs in your ammo cans and gun cases/safes to keep dry.
    * Protect personal papers and important documents by putting some gel wherever these are stored.
    * Keep with photos to keep them from humidity. Tuck a small envelope in the back of frames to protect important hanging photos.
    * Store in camera bags and with film. It will also absorb moisture to keep lenses from fogging.
    * Leave a couple packs in a tool box to prevent rusting.
    * Use it to aid in drying flowers.
    * Place with seeds in storage to prevent molding.
    * Slow silver tarnishing by using the gel in jewelry boxes or with silverware.
    * Cut open the packs and saturate the beads with essential oils to create potpourri.
    * Use in luggage while traveling.
    * Put some in your closet in leather goods to help them stay dry.
    * Add to video tape collections to help keep them dry.