How to Reactivate Silica Gel

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Things You'll Need

  • 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan

  • Plastic sealable bag

Silica gel is used to dry flowers for arrangements and potpourri.

Silica gel is a drying agent, often used for drying flowers. Silica gel packets are also often found in shoe boxes and other packages where moisture needs to be kept away from the product. Silica gel works to keep or take moisture away by drawing the moisture out of or away from the item. As silica gel absorbs moisture, it goes from being in an active state to an inactive state. But it can be reactivated and used again, rather than being thrown away.

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Step 1

Pour inactive silica gel into an 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan. Spread the silica gel around in a thin layer.

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Step 2

Reactive silica gel in the oven.

Heat the oven to a temperature between 175 degrees and 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the pan of silica gel in the oven and allow it to bake for 15 minutes. The heat in the oven draws the moisture out of the silica gel, reactivating the drying agent.

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Step 3

Remove the pan of silica gel from the oven and allow it to cool completely. Store the reactivated silica gel in a plastic zip bag to keep it away from moisture until ready to use.

Tip

Reactivate silica gel as often as needed.

Warning

Supervise children and pets around silica gel as it's not safe for playing or consumption.

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