The V Spot

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Silica Gel – you only need to follow half of the directions. (Just ignore the other half.)

August 18, 2011 55 Comments

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.

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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.

UPDATED 8/25/2011
I just had a reader contact me and say that there is a possible link between silica dust and Scleroderma, and that it is not a good idea to remove the silica from its specially designed packet.  Henceforth, I will be playing it safe and leaving the beads in the packets.  
I will just make sure to carefully conceal the packet.  


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about Vivienne Wagner

Filed Under: apothecary jars, cheap and easy, Crafts, Let me help you, Tip of the Day, Tips & Tricks

Comments

  1. Kelli says

    August 18, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    I never would have thought of this…GENIUS!

    Reply
  2. Korrie@RedHenHome says

    August 18, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    Smart! I’m glad you picked the right half of the instructions to follow 😉

    Reply
  3. Melissa I. says

    August 18, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    I agree – complete genius!

    Reply
  4. SueAnn says

    August 18, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    Well thank you! Great tip
    Hugs
    SueAnn

    Reply
  5. Liz @ Sugarplum Creations says

    August 18, 2011 at 2:13 PM

    You rule breaker, you! 😉 Seriously love this tip, V!

    Reply
  6. Sherry Smyth says

    August 18, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    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!

    Reply
  7. Maddie Kertay- The Domestic Anarchist says

    August 18, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    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

    Reply
  8. Crystal says

    August 18, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    Brilliant idea!!! I would have never thought of this! Thanks for the tip!

    Reply
  9. Lesley says

    August 18, 2011 at 3:08 PM

    You…are…so…smart. Period.

    Reply
  10. Bella@Bellabeforeandafter.blogspot.com says

    August 18, 2011 at 3:14 PM

    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.

    Reply
  11. Kristy says

    August 18, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    (knocking myself in the head)… Huh! Who’da thunk it! GENIUS!!

    Reply
  12. Anonymous says

    August 18, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    Thanks for the tip!

    Reply
  13. Prudently Painted Vintage says

    August 18, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    Eww! Thanks for the image! You are genius though! I will definitely remember this tip 🙂

    Reply
  14. Shawn says

    August 18, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    You’re.Too.Smart!

    Reply
  15. Richella says

    August 18, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    You. Are. Brilliant.

    Honestly, this is the greatest idea! Thank you for sharing your brilliance. 🙂

    Reply
  16. MiMi says

    August 18, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    Yep yep, works great. Now. What would happen if you ate ONE? Just one? Just wonderin’.

    Reply
  17. Kelsie From Our Country Home says

    August 18, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    Great tip

    Reply
  18. Aleigha says

    August 19, 2011 at 12:59 AM

    Genius! Pure genius!! Found you through the frugal girls link up 🙂

    Reply
  19. Angell says

    August 19, 2011 at 12:59 AM

    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!!!!

    Reply
  20. Beverly@southernhomesweethome says

    August 19, 2011 at 1:59 AM

    Smart girl!

    Reply
  21. Shirley says

    August 19, 2011 at 2:29 AM

    Love this tip! Thanks 🙂

    Reply
  22. Jenni says

    August 19, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    How cool! Thanks for the tip!!!

    Reply
  23. Carolyn says

    August 19, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    ooooh – great tip!

    Reply
  24. Johnnie says

    August 19, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    Genius

    Reply
  25. Christine says

    August 19, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    Smart cookie! Thanks…

    Reply
  26. Randi~Dukes and Duchesses says

    August 20, 2011 at 12:19 AM

    You’re brilliant. This is my new favorite tip … I’m pinning it right now!

    Reply
  27. Kelli @ RTSM says

    August 20, 2011 at 2:28 AM

    What a great tip! My pumpkins always get gross and mushy after a week or two:)

    Reply
  28. Patti says

    August 20, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    Very clever – great tip!

    Reply
  29. Jordan McCollum says

    August 20, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    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.

    Reply
  30. Tascha says

    August 24, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    Awesome tip!! And really beautiful site! I’m sure I’ll spend much of the time that I don’t have here. (:

    Reply
  31. Jennifer says

    August 24, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    Very clever Miss Vivienne! You always have the coolest tips!
    Jen

    Reply
  32. Heaven's Walk says

    August 25, 2011 at 3:18 AM

    Brilliant idea! I’m remembering this one! 🙂

    xoxo laurie

    Reply
  33. -Kasey says

    August 25, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    This is genius. I would have never thought to do this. Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
  34. umjudis says

    August 25, 2011 at 6:25 PM

    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.

    Reply
  35. Shelley says

    August 25, 2011 at 6:39 PM

    NO WAY!!! I never would have thought to do that! Thanks for the tip 😀

    Shelley
    http://www.westermanfam.blogspot.com

    Reply
  36. Jenn Erickson says

    August 25, 2011 at 9:54 PM

    Such a great idea Viv! I always feel so bad throwing those little packets away. Well…no more!

    Jenn

    Reply
  37. Tammy says

    August 26, 2011 at 1:17 AM

    Why didn’t I think of this? hmmmm? Why??? Thanks for sharing your brilliance with us!!

    Reply
  38. Crystal says

    August 31, 2011 at 4:25 AM

    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/

    Reply
  39. jan says

    September 6, 2011 at 3:21 AM

    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

    Reply
  40. Paula Ruter says

    September 8, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    I wonder if the packets would help keep carved pumpkins looking fresh?

    Reply
  41. Anonymous says

    November 8, 2011 at 1:03 AM

    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!

    Reply
  42. Suzan says

    January 30, 2012 at 4:32 AM

    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.

    Reply
  43. Gennyfer says

    February 29, 2012 at 8:29 PM

    I keep silica gel packs behind the kitchen sink and under my dish drainer. This way, if a splash gets missed it dries out.

    Reply
  44. Joe says

    September 26, 2012 at 11:14 PM

    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.

    Reply
  45. RIPCRD says

    September 27, 2012 at 2:36 AM

    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.

    Reply
  46. Charles says

    September 22, 2015 at 6:48 PM

    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.

    Reply
  47. buy-sell-or-trade.32 says

    December 29, 2015 at 2:38 AM

    Advisable components of.

    Reply
  48. Robin says

    March 11, 2016 at 8:48 PM

    I use the silica packets in my seed bags (plastic bags) after I gather fresh seEds, dry, and put in freezer.

    Reply
  49. Jeannine Schwartz says

    August 25, 2016 at 10:06 AM

    I always throw a few of these in my craft, ready to sell containers to protect them in storage.

    Reply
  50. Hilda Hickman says

    February 21, 2019 at 3:28 PM

    Now some genious will be selling little packs of silica gel—10 for $25.00.–Coming to your craft store soon.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Fall: Tips for Preserving Pumpkins - The Scrap Shoppe says:
    October 7, 2016 at 12:01 AM

    […] The V Spot This tip is the one I was hinting at earlier. It is one of my favorite tips for keeping moisture out of my pumpkin displays. But I do recommend keeping the silica in the packets. It will work just as well. […]

    Reply
  2. Tips for Preserving Pumpkins - Mine for the Making says:
    October 7, 2016 at 4:59 PM

    […] The V Spot This tip is the one I was hinting at earlier. It is one of my favorite tips for keeping moisture out of my pumpkin displays. But I do recommend keeping the silica in the packets. It will work just as well. […]

    Reply
  3. 10 Great Mom Tips says:
    December 26, 2016 at 2:41 PM

    […] This idea was shared by Vivienne at the V-Spot, and with Halloween coming up soon this is a great idea we will be trying this year. Use Silica Gel […]

    Reply
  4. How do you like your eggs? (A faux Robin's egg tutorial.) | The V Spot says:
    February 24, 2018 at 3:59 PM

    […] To prevent the build up of moisture, I open up those little packets of silica gel and pour them in. (You know the ones that come in new handbags or in shoe boxes? Do Not Eat.)  Check out this tip. […]

    Reply
  5. 13 Halloween Tips and Tricks – DIY Home Sweet Home says:
    October 20, 2020 at 10:55 AM

    […] Silica Gel will prevent pumpkins from molding. I would suggest not opening the packet. Just toss the entire thing inside your pumpkin or gourd display. Source […]

    Reply

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