How to Dry Out Small Silica Gel Packets

Place dry silica gel packets inside plant containers to regulate the moisture of the soil.

Silica gel packets are found inside many packing boxes. Shoe retailers commonly place silica packets inside boxes to keep moisture out. Damp shoes can get moldy, rendering them unsellable. Garden stores, nurseries, clothing shops and mail-order companies also use silica packets.



Silica packets can also be dried and reused for many household purposes, from regulating moisture in plant soil to keeping clothes and shoes dry inside storage containers.

Things You'll Need

• Oven
• Silica gel packets
• Pyrex baking dish

Instructions

Drying the Packets

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

2. Spread out the silica packets on a Pyrex baking dish that is at least 1/4-inch thick. Pyrex is a type of oven-safe glass that will not shatter at high temperatures.

3. Place the dish inside the oven. The process generally takes 90 minutes per quart of packets (1.9 pounds), but this time can vary.

4. Monitor the silica gel packets to see if they have changed color. When the packets appear medium-blue, they are suitably dry.

5. Remove the dish from the oven and let the packets cool before reusing them.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not put silica gel packets in a microwave because they can melt.

• If the silica packets appear dark blue or blue-black, they are overcooked and unsuitable for reuse.

References

• Southern Exposure: Silica Gel with Moisture Indicator

Resources

• Gee Jay Chemicals: What is Disiccant Silica Gel?