You know when you buy a new pair of shoes or a handbag? The little silica gel packets that come in there to absorb moisture? You need only follow half of the instructions.
For sure you shouldn’t eat the stuff… but don’t throw it away either!
I very briefly mentioned this tip at the very end of a tutorial for faux robin’s eggs back in March, but it bears repeating especially as we start heading for fall and people start decorating with fruit, pumpkins and other natural materials.
At the moment, my apothecary jars are filled with shells and all kinds of “beachy” items, but even with those materials moisture can build up inside of the jars. Put a lid on the jar and have it displayed in a sunny spot and you’ve created a little greenhouse… whether you wanted to or not. Have you ever seen what happens to those cute baby pumpkins and little gourds that have been left in an apothecary jar turned greenhouse? Can you say “mushy” and “moldy”? ew.
Take a handful of these silica beads and drop them in the bottom of the jar before adding your filler. It’ll keep everything dry and looking good.
You. Are. Welcome.
Kelli says
I never would have thought of this…GENIUS!
Korrie@RedHenHome says
Smart! I’m glad you picked the right half of the instructions to follow 😉
Melissa I. says
I agree – complete genius!
SueAnn says
Well thank you! Great tip
Hugs
SueAnn
Liz @ Sugarplum Creations says
You rule breaker, you! 😉 Seriously love this tip, V!
Sherry Smyth says
I’m still laughing at “don’t eat”…but you are as everyone has said, a genius!!!! Never would have thought of any other use for that gel!
Maddie Kertay- The Domestic Anarchist says
I just put a couple of those in with my scrapbooking paper, helps with that too.. but mine were extra special.. mine said..
~ NOT A TOY~
as if….
Maddie
Crystal says
Brilliant idea!!! I would have never thought of this! Thanks for the tip!
Lesley says
You…are…so…smart. Period.
Bella@Bellabeforeandafter.blogspot.com says
Ahhh pretty cool girl. I am pretty sure I tossed all the ones I’ve ever gotten, but will save them from now on. Great tip.
Hugs, Bella 🙂
**$5 for every LIKE giveaway** @ Bella Before and After
**$200 SHOP till you DROP giveaway** @ Bella Before and After.
Kristy says
(knocking myself in the head)… Huh! Who’da thunk it! GENIUS!!
Anonymous says
Thanks for the tip!
Prudently Painted Vintage says
Eww! Thanks for the image! You are genius though! I will definitely remember this tip 🙂
Shawn says
You’re.Too.Smart!
Richella says
You. Are. Brilliant.
Honestly, this is the greatest idea! Thank you for sharing your brilliance. 🙂
MiMi says
Yep yep, works great. Now. What would happen if you ate ONE? Just one? Just wonderin’.
Kelsie From Our Country Home says
Great tip
Aleigha says
Genius! Pure genius!! Found you through the frugal girls link up 🙂
Angell says
I never would of thought to do that!!! Thanks so much for sharing! Now I have to go buy a new pair of shoes to get the little silica pack lol!!!!
Beverly@southernhomesweethome says
Smart girl!
Shirley says
Love this tip! Thanks 🙂
Jenni says
How cool! Thanks for the tip!!!
Carolyn says
ooooh – great tip!
Johnnie says
Genius
Christine says
Smart cookie! Thanks…
Randi~Dukes and Duchesses says
You’re brilliant. This is my new favorite tip … I’m pinning it right now!
Kelli @ RTSM says
What a great tip! My pumpkins always get gross and mushy after a week or two:)
Patti says
Very clever – great tip!
Jordan McCollum says
Brilliant!
If you suspect your silica gel isn’t working anymore, you can also redry it in the oven. (At least I think you can… I did, and no one died of toxic fumes, though it didn’t smell “good.”)
Also, if your base would cover it, you can pop them in there still in their packets.
Tascha says
Awesome tip!! And really beautiful site! I’m sure I’ll spend much of the time that I don’t have here. (:
Jennifer says
Very clever Miss Vivienne! You always have the coolest tips!
Jen
Heaven's Walk says
Brilliant idea! I’m remembering this one! 🙂
xoxo laurie
-Kasey says
This is genius. I would have never thought to do this. Thanks for sharing!!
umjudis says
I work in IT and computers are shipped with packages of silica gel. The packages are about 2″ x 4″. I throw those in my holiday boxes of decorations especially since I store them in the basement.
Shelley says
NO WAY!!! I never would have thought to do that! Thanks for the tip 😀
Shelley
http://www.westermanfam.blogspot.com
Jenn Erickson says
Such a great idea Viv! I always feel so bad throwing those little packets away. Well…no more!
Jenn
Tammy says
Why didn’t I think of this? hmmmm? Why??? Thanks for sharing your brilliance with us!!
Crystal says
Thanks for linking up and sharing this awesome solution. It was one of the most clicked ideas last week.
I featured you today. Hop over and check it out here:
http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2011/08/the-mommy-club-share-your-resources-and-solutions-7/
jan says
Love this idea, My 2yr old ate one of these packs. Poison control said the biggest threat is choking over the next 20 min. He was fine I’m going to try to remember this idea! – Jan
Paula Ruter says
I wonder if the packets would help keep carved pumpkins looking fresh?
Anonymous says
Just stumbled across your blog today… very happy I did.
I’m going to dig through my shoeboxes & hope to goodness I find some silica packets– they’re going into my stationary drawer to keep the envelopes from sticking to the cards!
YAY! Thank you!
Suzan says
I save my little silica packets and put them in a zip lock bag. If you ever need to get moisture out of your cell phone or watch put the two together and it doesn’t take long to dry it out.
Gennyfer says
I keep silica gel packs behind the kitchen sink and under my dish drainer. This way, if a splash gets missed it dries out.
Joe says
where is the link to Scleroderma at? I want to see it. you added it so bold and in red and the like.
And I keep them in tool boxes and on some larger metal tools that I’d rather not coat in tool oil/grease. I like the gel based ones also.
RIPCRD says
I put the packets in my gun safe to pull moisture & prevent rust. These little freebies save buying the larger $20 pkgs sold for gun safes.
Charles says
I found out putting gel packages in my tool bags keeps them rust free. Also I wouldn’t eat them, they look like dried peas.
buy-sell-or-trade.32 says
Advisable components of.
Robin says
I use the silica packets in my seed bags (plastic bags) after I gather fresh seEds, dry, and put in freezer.
Jeannine Schwartz says
I always throw a few of these in my craft, ready to sell containers to protect them in storage.
Hilda Hickman says
Now some genious will be selling little packs of silica gel—10 for $25.00.–Coming to your craft store soon.