Here's why you shouldn't throw away these packets

From wet cell phones to sweaty gym clothes; these packets of silica gel are all you need

You know those Silica gel packets that are usually stuffed in a box with your new pair of shoes? Turns out, they're actually pretty handy.

The packets contain silicon dioxide, which dries out anything around it. It absorbs and holds water vapour from the surrounding air. These bags aren't toxic or poisonous in any way, and actually have a variety of uses.

Here are some reasons why you should think twice before tossing them in the trash:

1. Save your cell phone from water damage:

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It's well known that if you walk out into pouring rain and come back with a dead cell-phone, you should keep it in a bag of rice to dry it out.

Turns out, these silica bags are a lot more effective than rice.

If your phone gets wet, put it in a jar filled with these bags for a higher chance of saving your phone.



2. Save old photos:

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Okay it's the 21st century and we don't really keep hard copies of all our photos, but these packets are great if you have old family photos to preserve.

To keep them safe from deterioration over time, put the silica bags in a box of photos. This will prevent them from sticking together or getting ruined over time.

3. Extend the life of your razor:

PHOTO: MYZEROWASTE.COM

Oxidation and moisture are the reasons that razor blades fall to pre-mature dulling. To extend the life of your razor, keep tupperware half-filled with silica gel (four to five packets) and after shaving, blot dry your razor and store it in the closed tupperware.



4. Protect Silver

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Protect your jewellery and cutlery from tarnishing with these bags of wonder. Moisture is what leads to tarnish and corrosion on silver and jewelry.

Wrap your cutlery with silica gel packets or slip a pack in your jewelry box to keep those items safe from tarnish.

5. Preserve your vitamins:

PHOTO: USATODAY

Ever wondered how these bags end up in vitamin bottles? It's because moisture can cause mold to grow, spoiling the pills.

Storing dried food and pills with Silica gel packets helps preserve their freshness.

Vitamins and pills are often stored in bathrooms, which tend to be quite humid (think of your foggy mirror after a hot shower). Moisture can get into the container each time it is opened, which can lead to any coatings being prematurely dissolved.



6. Foggy windshield:

PHOTO: CLUBLEXIS.COM

These handy sidekicks can even defog your windshield. Just line up a bunch of the bags under your windshield (inside your car) and watch the magic happen. They'll take care of the fog and save a bunch of time.

7. Wet clothes:

PHOTO: ARABIANMUSCLES.COM

Coming back from the gym or a swim? Keep these bad boys in your gym bag to avoid bad smell.

A few silica gel packets in your gym bag or locker can reduce dampness and wipe out odour-creating bacteria.

Moisture is one of the things bacteria need to grow. Silica gel deprives bacteria of this much-needed moisture, so they won't be able to grow.

So next time you buy a camera or a pair of shoes, look for these super-handy packets and save them.