11 Uses Of Silica Gel Beads

Even though silica gel is not inherently toxic, sometimes compounds are added that enhance its effect, but which can be harmful.

Even if we are not used to hearing its name, silica gel is a very present product in our daily life. 

For example, it is very common to find it inside small sweaty paper bags, in shoe boxes or in handbags.

Even if we don’t know their purpose, we tend to ignore them or throw them straight in the trash.

Silica gel is a granular, porous manifestation of silica dioxide, made synthetically from sodium silicate, a water glass compound.

The purpose of these small sachets in our handbags or shoeboxes is to help remove moisture from the product, whether in storage or not in use.

In this sense, the porosity of this material ensures that the product arrives at its destination in perfect condition, because you never really know how it will be transported or stored.

However, the manufacturers recommend removing them from the handbags that one uses, as these bags are fragile and can open.

A little history on silica gel

Silica gel has been known since 1640 by the scientific community.

However, although its previous uses have been varied, it was patented by chemistry professor Walter A. Patrick in 1919.

For example, this product had been used in particular for the cruel gas masks of the First World War.

Oddly enough, during WWII, silica gel was used to keep penicillin dry and in good condition. This is why many people owe their lives to him.

What can silica gel be used for?

Silica gel is a desiccant that can be recycled and reused for many things in the home.

It is necessary to know that this gel in itself is not toxic.

However, toxins are often added to its composition, such as cobalt chloride, in order to stimulate its effects.

However, the pearls we have available have a transparent or whitish color, whereas the color of poisonous pearls is blue and turns pink once hydrated.

When the small beads contain this toxic product, the sachets carry a message alerting them to their toxicity.

In the rest of this article, let’s see what options you have to reuse silica gel beads.

Dried flowers

Say you have a wonderful flower that you want to keep, whether it is for its meaning or for its beauty.

You can cover it with silica gel for this. Make sure it is totally submerged and wait 2-3 days (especially no more than 5).

To keep the money in good shape

As we know, silver tends to darken with the humidity of the environment.

This can be remedied by putting a bag of silica gel inside your jewelry box.

To protect photos from the ravages of time

Paper photographs can deteriorate over time. You can avoid this degradation by putting your photos near a bag of silica gel.

To prevent bad odors from wet bags

When we go to the pool, the beach or the gym, we put wet clothes inside our gym bag, which can generate bad odors.

To avoid this, we advise you to put a bag of silica gel inside.

To preserve metal parts

Moisture acts on the metal and creates an oxide layer which deteriorates and destroys these materials.

It is enough to keep these objects with a bag of silica gel, to avoid their deterioration.

Store seeds

The seeds can get moldy from the humidity, but this can be remedied. By keeping them with these small sachets.

To dry the cell phone

• Sometimes our electronics get wet. In this case, we tend to put them in rice so that it absorbs the moisture.
  However, the object may fill with a small powder from the rice.
• Small balls of silica gel perform the same function, absorbing moisture that has adhered to the device.

Other uses

• To avoid condensation inside our car, just put a small sachet of this gel there.
• Cat litter is made with silica, thanks to its powerful absorbing effect.
• They can also be used to keep food in perfect condition. As long as there is no contraindication on the toxicity of the gel.
  However, be aware that they should never be ingested. 
• Thanks to these small bags, it is possible to protect the lenses of our cameras so that they do not get damaged.

For all these reasons, we recommend that you keep these small sachets and reuse them.

As you can see, they have an infinite number of uses, which can be of use to us!