You’ve probably found them lurking in the box with your shoes or new handbag and thrown them straight in the bin.
But it turns out that those little sachets of silica gel you’ve never been quite sure what to do with can be unexpectedly useful.
Go Social has shared a list of silica gel hacks that will make you think twice before you throw away the powerful little sachets.
Silica gel is full of tiny pores, which take in moisture and it absorbs up to 40 per cent of its own weight.
As a side effect, it also deprives the bacteria of the moisture they need so it prevents issues such as mould.
This makes it perfect for headaches such as drying out damp clothes and keeping big bags of pet food free from mould.
Read on to find out why you should start keeping hold of your silica sachets for a rainy day.
Go Social has shared a list of silica gel hacks that will make you think twice before throwing the sachets away (stock image)
CLEARS WINDSCREENS
Silica gel is a desiccant – or drying agent – meaning it absorbs moisture.
So if you’re dreading dealing with your fogged up windscreen for the test of the winter, you can stave off the problem by placing a few bags in the car just underneath.
The sachets will absorb moisture before it can spread all over the glass.
DRIES FLOWERS
Drying flowers out can take up to six weeks, so you need to be patient.
But if you need dried petals for pot pourri or crafts in a hurry, place some silica bags among them and they’ll be perfect in up to six days, but sometimes it takes as little as two.
It can take up to six weeks to dry flowers, but silica gel can complete the task in a matter of days (stock image)
KEEPS BOOKS FRESH
If you’re putting books into storage, then you can always add some silica sachets to protect them from damp.
But even the books kept out in the open on shelves are being constantly exposed to moisture, especially if they’re in a combined kitchen and living area.
Silica gel can help protect the pages by adding a few sachets to your book shelf.
And you can also save a book that’s been dropped in the bath or got wet on the beach with a hairdryer and some silica gel.
If you put wet swimwear in your suitcase or gym bag you can stop it spoiling the rest of your clothes with silica (stock image)
DRIES OUT CLOTHES
There’s no avoiding putting a wet swimming costume in your gym bag after a trip to the pool, while you might not have the chance to dry out your bikini before repacking your luggage at the end of a holiday.
Place them in a separate bag with some silica sachets to prevent the rest of your items getting damp or smelling musty.
RESCUES WET PHONES
You’ve heard about the trick of putting a phone that’s been submerged in water to dry it out.
Placing it in a jar of highly absorbent silica beads is an even better hacks for rescuing your tech.
PREVENTS PET FOOD AND HERBS GOING OFF
Buying in bulk can be a money-saving option, but once the packaging is open it leaves the product more susceptible to mould growth.
Try adding silica sachets to your big bags of pet food or anything else you’ve bought a large quantity of, such as herbs and spices.
PROTECT TOOLS
If you’re putting knives into storage for a while, pack them with some silica gel to stop the blades from rusting.
The same goes for household tools that you might only use once in a while.
Prevent pet food or any other produce you buy in bulk from going mouldy with silica sachets (stock image)