They can be found in shoe boxes, in some food packaging and even in packaging for high-tech appliances: we’re talking about silica gel sachets! And if you’re used to throwing them away, here’s a good reason not to!
We’ve all seen these little white sachets, often labelled “silica gel”, at least once. And with good reason: they help protect many everyday objects from the ravages of damp. It’s not surprising to find them in shoeboxes, powdered drinks jars, spools of thread for 3D printers, and many other places.
However, once the product in question has been opened, many people simply throw away the little sachet of silica gel. Let’s just say it right away: that’s a mistake! On the one hand, it can be very useful to leave the sachet where it is – in the powdered drink jar, for example, to prevent moisture from getting in – and, on the other hand, when it becomes useless where you found it, you can recycle it by using it for something else.
Storing small sachets of silica gel in a kitchen drawer could well help you save an electronic device affected by damp. We’re not necessarily talking about a smartphone that’s fallen down the toilet – that’s a bit beyond simple dampness – but for a device that’s been damaged by the rain or that has had a rough time travelling in a rucksack alongside a poorly sealed bottle, it could help you save the day.
Cameras, smartphones, headphones, batteries, external hard drives… many devices can be affected. You can put them in an airtight bag, along with several sachets of silica gel, close the bag tightly and leave it to work for 24 to 48 hours. Don’t turn the device back on until you’re sure it’s no longer damp.
Generally speaking, you can also slip one or two bags into the storage case of your Nintendo Switch or PlayStation Portal, or into the backpack that holds your camera equipment. Moisture can sometimes make an appearance where you least expect it!
Silica gel absorbs moisture until it is saturated. But when you notice that a sachet has reached the end of its useful life, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you should throw it away. You can spread the sachets out on an oven tray and dry them inside for 1 hour at 120°C, turning them over after 30 minutes. You can then reuse them. That’s the eco-friendly part of this tip!
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