Don’t bin those gel packets — they’re handy little helpers

YoU thought those little packets of silica gel that come in purses, handbags and shoeboxes were pointless at best and annoying at worst.

In fact, you ought to hold onto them, as they have a multitude of uses. Silica gel is a desiccant, which means that it absorbs and holds water vapour from the surrounding air.

ALICE SMELLIE asked scientist and product testing expert Dr David elks, laboratory manager at product testing experts Intertek UK, for his expert verdict. from drying out a wet swimsuit to extending the life of old razor blades, some of the uses might surprise you . . .

FRESHEN SMELLY GYM BAGS

A few silica gel packets in your gym bag or locker can reduce damp and wipe out odour-creating bacteria. Pop them in your shoes to banish whiffy smells.

EXPERT SAYS: ‘Bacteria need several things to grow and moisture is one of them. Silica gel deprives the bacteria of the moisture they need, so they will become dormant rather than destroyed.’

DRY OUT YOUR MAKE-UP BAG

IT’S so annoying when you brush your teeth and splash water into the make- up bag by the sink.

But can silica gel help?

well, it can absorb 20 to 40 per cent of its own weight. The gel is full of tiny pores, which take in the moisture. So a 10 g bag (the size you might find in ordinary consumer goods) can absorb up to four grams of water. You are unlikely to spill that much into your make-up bag.

EXPERT SAYS: ‘Silica gel will certainly dry water droplets. This will depend on the time allowed and how small the droplets are,’ says Dr elks.

‘The best way to get successful results might be to wipe the inside of the wash bag first and then pop in the silica gel to soak up the residue.

‘ Regenerate the silica periodically, because once it is saturated it will not remove any more water. This can be done on a radiator, in a microwave or in a cool oven.’

PRESERVE BOUQUETS OF FLOWERS

SIlIcA gel is a well-known way of quickly drying out flowers, so you can keep a memento of a special occasion. Pop flowers into a plastic bag with a few packets of silica gel.

EXPERT SAYS: ‘The moisture content of flowers might be high and so the desiccant action may be too slow,’ says Dr elks.

‘This means decomposition kicks in and the flowers start to change appearance quite dramatically.

‘Using more silica gel might help speed up the process and improve the quality — I would suggest trying

four packets.’

DEAL WITH WET BIKINIS

Some recommend that if you’re packing wet clothes, just throw a few packets of silica gel into the suitcase to absorb the moisture. often, I get back from holiday with a suitcase full of clean clothes plus a couple of wet bikinis that have infused the entire case with dampness.

EXPERT SAYS: ‘my thinking is, yes, throw the wet swimsuits into the case, but if possible, pop them in plastic bags with the silica gel.

‘Remember, the silica gel does not have infinite drying capacity, so you should try to limit its load.’

PROTECT SILVER FROM TARNISH

TARnISh is a layer of corrosion that appears on silver following a reaction between it and chemicals in the air. humidity hastens the process that turns your favourite pieces slowly from shiny to black.

It’s suggested that you keep silver wrapped up with a silica gel packet to absorb any air moisture.

EXPERT SAYS: ‘ Keeping moisture away from silverware is best achieved by limiting its exposure to damp air,’ says Dr elks. ‘ Plastic bags work well — but then you can’t enjoy the sight of your finest silver!’

LOSE THE MUSTY SMELL OF OLD BOOKS

whIle a lot of people might love the musty smell of an old tome, some find it a turn-off.

Damp is the main cause of that distinctive old smell. Simply pop your book into a bag with a few packets of silica gel and let them work their magic.

EXPERT SAYS: ‘Decomposition of paper is a complex chemical sequence. limiting the dampness may slow down some of the process, but it is unlikely to reverse it entirely,’ says Dr elks.

EXTEND THE LIFE OF RAZOR BLADES

heRe, the theory is that the silica gel dries out the metal razor blade more rapidly, so that it doesn’t rust and therefore lasts longer.

According to the internet, this trick, along with a razor sharpener, will make old blades last for years. The average life of a razor blade is, at best, around five weeks.

EXPERT SAYS: ‘Place the silica gel and razor in an airtight bag. This will certainly work a few times, but you will have to regenerate the silica crystals to remove the water they have absorbed from the blade over time,’ says Dr elks.