You know those little sachets of silica gel found mysteriously accompanying many purchases? I’m sure you’re familiar, as you can find them enclosed with dried food or leather shoes or headache medicine. It comes with the warning “Do Not Eat” and “Throw Away”. I’ve always complied with these cautions without dwelling too much on the purpose of their presence. However, once I found out what silica gel is capable of, I painfully regretted all the packets that I had abandoned in the trash. So, why do so many products bring silica gel as their plus 2?

Turns out, silica gel is a desiccant, meaning that it adsorbs water vapors. OH, that’s why it’s with so many items fearful of water damage. It prevents the growth of mold with food items and the condensation that might harm your new set of speakers. It’s relatively harmless, that’s why you find it with so many food items (although I do not recommend eating it for a movie snack). Silica, AKA Silicon Dioxide, can adsorb up to about 40% of it’s weight in water molecules, and in a closed container it can reduce the humidity by that same amount.

So, of course, naturally, there are many ways you can reuse these little packets of liquid adsorbing gold. Here are some of the most interesting ways I found:

1. Saving a Waterlogged Cellphone

I mean c’mon, we’ve all had those days when absolutely nothing goes right and we find ourselves wondering if our brain is actually, in fact, still inside our heads. Just recently my friend told me she put her iPhone INTO the washing machine. I mean, WHO does that. Or perhaps it’s not the result of stupidity—maybe your brother pushes you, fully clothed and waiting for that text back, into the pool as a prank. Either way, you’ve found your phone fully drenched with water. Have no fear: silica gel packs are here. Simply place your phone into an airtight contain (think tupperware) with several gel packs and on a bed of rice. This tried and true method has saved many a phone, and it just might save yours too.

2. Keeping Dried Foods Dry

Again, while you shouldn’t eagerly be eating silica gel by the spoonful, it will not kill you and is perfectly suitable for use in the kitchen. The potential uses for silica and foods are endless, but some top ones are with spices, in containers of dried fruits and herbs, with stored metal kitchen tools, or even to extend the shelf life of your dog’s puppy chow.

3. To Protect Your Makeup

What could possibly be more important that making sure your makeup stays in pristine condition? Ensuring that your mineral foundation doesn’t become mineral clumps, that your lip gloss doesn’t become lip goop. We’ve all been there—after a long day of travel when you open up your makeup bag to apply your eye cream, only to find that the precious salve is now soaked all over the rest of your cosmetics. If you throw a couple packets in your makeup bag, it’ll be enough to withstand whatever spill may occur.

4. To Protect Important Documents and Photos

Some of the most sentimental things are the most prone to damage. That photo of you and your mom by the ocean, your birth certificate—these are keepsakes that we would be devastated to see water damaged. Keep several silica packets in the box you keep your treasured memories so that they don’t fade away.

5. Extend the Life of Razor Blades

I don’t know about you guys, but my razors only ever last me a couple months. I’m talking 2 at most. Well, silica gel offers a quick fix to this one so that blades that would normally only last you a month or two will be lasting you the whole year. Just keep a container filled with around five silica gel packets in your bathroom and after you’re done shaving, dry off your razor and return it to it’s container.
*I would like to add a brief disclaimer to this tip in saying that this trick is not good for those of you with sensitive skin. If you find that you often have razor burn or ingrown hairs, it’s best to switch your blade every month or after every 8 shaves.

I hope that these nifty tips help you to prevent water casualties in the future and prevent the silica gel packets from going directly into the garbage dump. It’s nice to find useful ways to use things we might otherwise simply throw away.
Do you have any other uses for silica gel packets? I’d love to know, leave a note in the comments below telling me how.