What is Silica Used for – Interesting Uses of Silica Gel
If you are like most people, you probably throw away those tiny silica gel packets that come inside shoe boxes, medicine bottles and other which are packaged with many other common, everyday products. But to the most savvy do-it-yourselfers, these desiccants are known to do much more than keep packaging moisture free.
Keeping Engines Dry While Not in Use
If you want to know what is silica gel used for, you would probably be interested to learn that silica gel packets can be put inside small containers like film canisters which have tiny holes drilled in them to keep engines dry while being stored. Many vehicle and airplane owners slip these containers inside carburetor intake valves to help prevent moisture from building up and doing harm to the inner workings of the engines.
Doing this will ensure that the bearings inside carburetors do not become pitted and rusted. So if you have a vehicle or aircraft which you put into storage during the winter months, consider using silica gel packs to keep your engines dry. You also can use this method if you happen to have a snowmobile you store during the summer months.
Drying Out Wet Mobile Phones
Another of the most common silica uses is to use these tiny desiccants packets to dry mobile phones that have become wet. Every mobile phone owner’s worst nightmare is a wet device. You will have to act quickly if your phone becomes wet so take the battery out as well as the SIM card and then put the wet phone in a bowl that is filled with silica gel packets. Simply leave it be for several hours and then try to power it back on – the chances are it will work which means you just saved yourself a good deal of money.
Keeping Luggage Dry
If you tend to wonder what is silica gel used for other than keeping shoes dry, you should know that these tiny packets can do a great job of keeping luggage dry. You can simply toss a few silica gel packets into your luggage to keep it moisture and odor-free. This could really help to extend the life of your luggage.
Combating Camera Condensation
What is silica used for you ask? Many shutter bugs use silica gel packets to keep the inner workings of their cameras dry and moisture free. If you tend to use your camera in humidity, around water or outside during the winter, simply remove the battery and memory card when not in use, put the camera in a container with a handful of silica gel packs and leave it.
To Dry Out Damp Fishing Line
Many avid fly fisherman use silica gel packets to dry out their fishing flies when not in use. You can do this yourself by grounding up the silica into a power and placing it in a small jar. Then whenever you need to dry a fly, simply drop it inside, shake it around and then close the lid. The fishing fly will be moisture free in just a couple of hours.
To Make Razor Blades Last Longer
The typical razor blade becomes quickly corroded and rusted which makes it dull and useless. If you find that you are going through razorblades very quickly, put some silica gel into a small lidded plastic container, drop the blades in after use and then seal the container with the lid. Your razorblades will be as good as new in no time which equates to you having to purchase new blades less often.
To Keep Condensation out of Underwater Camera Casings
Are you a scuba or deep sea diver who uses an underwater camera case? If so, you know how annoying it is to see condensation build up inside your waterproof housing. A pack or two of silica gel can be placed inside the casing to completely eliminate the chances of this happening again.
To Extend the Life of Your Tools you Keep in Your Toolbox
Are you are DIY type of person who is handy with tools around the home? Then it is important to you that your tools remain in tip-top shape. If you leave your toolbox outdoors, in your vehicle or in an unheated garage, your tools can quickly become rusty and corroded. But you guessed it! A few silica gel packets in each drawer or level of your toolbox can go far in keeping your tools dry which will extend their lifespans considerably.
The next time someone you know asks you what is silica gel used for, tell them about these uses. Be prepared for that person to be quite surprised!
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