Those annoying silica gel packets that come in pill bottles and packages actually have some genius uses, according to a biochemist
Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Throw Out Those Silica Gel Packets
Updated on Aug. 28, 2024
Think of it like finding a toy in the cereal box but for adults: Your next bottle of pills or online order might come with a free bonus item. These handy extras have many uses in the home, from the kitchen to the bathroom to your car, and yet you’re probably throwing them in the trash. What are they? Silica gel packets. Yes, those little white packets stamped all over with “Do not eat” actually have a purpose beyond … well, whatever their actual purpose is. (Don’t worry—we’ll cover that below too!)
“I think reusing silica gel packs is a genius idea, both from a home-organization standpoint and an environmental one,” says Shawn Talbott, PhD, a nutritional biochemist who uses them regularly in his work and at home, including at the bed-and-breakfast he owns. “They have so many great uses, especially in places with high humidity, like where I’m at in Massachusetts.”
He’s not the only one loving this idea right now—the trend is picking up steam online, with hundreds of videos showing how to use these everyday staples in surprising ways. Read on for everything you need to know about how to repurpose silica gel packets, if it’s safe to do so and, yes, what happens if you eat them.
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What’s in those silica gel packets?
“Silica gel is basically just sand,” Talbott explains. “Technically, it’s silicone dioxide, the same stuff that makes up quartz.” And contrary to the name, it’s not actually gel but tiny beads, he adds.
The beads are porous, which allows them to absorb water in the air—a lot of it. In fact, they can absorb up to 40% of their weight in water. Think of them like a DIY dehumidifier. This is why they’re used as a desiccant, a substance used to keep dry things dry, Talbott says. Once they’ve absorbed water, they take on a gel-like texture.
What is silica gel used for, and why do so many products come with them?
Silica gel packets are used to protect a wide variety of products, including packaged foods, pharmaceuticals, supplements and electronics. You’ve likely seen the little papery pouches inside bottles of medication or supplements, in bags of food like jerky, inside leather bags, in shoes and inside the packaging of laptops and other electronics.
“Their basic function is to suck the water out of the air in the packaging so that it doesn’t damage whatever is inside,” Talbott says.
That said, there are five main reasons manufacturers use them:
- Controlling moisture
- Protecting against mold and mildew
- Extending shelf life
- Protecting electronics
- Maintaining product quality
How can you repurpose silica gel packets?
“You can use them for basically any dry good that you would like to keep dry,” Talbott says. He uses them daily in his lab, in the bottles of vitamins and minerals that he works with, to keep them at their maximum potency.
Not a scientist? Not a problem. Here are some genius ideas for using silica gel packets in your home. Put them:
- In packages of dry makeup, like loose powder
- Inside spice jars
- In your jewelry box
- In packages of crunchy snacks like tortilla chips or kale chips
- Inside a musty backpack or gym bag
- Inside shoes (when you’re not wearing them)
- In musical-instrument cases
- Inside small, damp cabinets
- Inside boxes of mementos that need to be kept dry, like letters or journals
How long do the packets stay good?
“They don’t last forever—usually just 30 to 60 days depending on the size and type—so you’ll need to replace them regularly,” Talbott says. You’ll know they’re no longer working when they feel like all gel. Some brands will change color, going from white to pink or blue.
“You’ll need to factor in the length of time they were used in the original packaging,” Talbott adds. For example, if you’re reusing a silica gel packet that came inside a clothing bag, it has likely already used up about half its life cycle, although there’s no precise way to calculate it.
Pro tips for using silica gel packets in your home
Talbott offers these tips for getting the most out of the desiccant packs in your home, based on his professional and personal experience.
Use the right number and size
Too small or too few packets won’t provide any noticeable effects, while too large or too many can cause excessive drying and brittleness. How do you know how many to use? “Sites where you purchase the silica gel usually have calculators to help you figure it out,” Talbott says, “but if you’re just reusing ones that came in other packages, it will take some trial and error.”
Store them in an airtight environment
If you leave them exposed to air, silica gel packets will do what they are designed to do: suck up moisture. This will make them expire more quickly, so they work best in an airtight environment. If your item doesn’t have an airtight package, put it—and the packet—into a resealable plastic bag or a jar or box with a tight-fitting lid.
Is silica gel dangerous?
No, silica gel packets are not dangerous. You shouldn’t eat them—that’s why they’re stamped with “Do not eat”—because they can be choking hazards and some brands contain extra chemicals, like cobalt, that can be dangerous. However, if you did eat one, chances are, you’ll be just fine.
“Most silica gel packets are nontoxic, and it’s the equivalent of swallowing a teaspoon or two of sand,” Talbott says. “Not something you’d want to do, but it’s not going to kill you, and it’s certainly not going to ‘dry out’ your insides.”
Similarly, touching the insides of these packets won’t hurt you—it’s just messy.
So there you have it: Keep all of those little silica gel packets that come in your online orders and medications, and reuse them—just not as snacks.
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Source:
- Shawn Talbott, PhD, nutritional biochemist and owner of 3 Waves Bed & Breakfast in Plymouth, Massachusetts; phone interview, Aug. 23, 2024
