| We have all seen desiccant packs. However, can | | | | as a hair dryer as this can do further damage to |
| we describe their use to anyone else? Most of | | | | the electronic device. Cover the device in a bowl |
| the time we get them as part of the packaging | | | | of silica gel packets overnight to remove any |
| material of a product we have purchased and | | | | remaining moisture. |
| they end up going into the trash. Nevertheless, | | | | 2. Keep submergible housings on underwater |
| these little packets can be quite a useful addition | | | | cameras free from water and fog from |
| to your toolbox. | | | | condensation by adding silica gel packets inside the |
| Simply put, a desiccant is a drying agent. | | | | casing along with the camera. |
| Removing excess humidity from the product | | | | 3. These desiccant packs will be an additional level |
| packing material of products sensitive to moisture, | | | | of insurance when added to zipper storage bags |
| is the primary use of desiccant packs. Packaging | | | | that contain various electronics or batter chargers. |
| materials from electronic products are the most | | | | 4. Keep firearms and ammunition free from |
| common source of these small self-contained | | | | moisture in high humidity areas. Add desiccant |
| packages with which consumers are most familiar. | | | | packs to your gun safe to keep rust at bay. Do |
| Rice is a frequently used "low-tech" alternative | | | | not forget to change out the packs regularly to |
| many of us may have used. Do you remember | | | | keep them functioning effectively. These packets |
| the few grains of rice in the saltshaker? The | | | | will normally be larger than those found most |
| purpose was for the rice to remove excess | | | | often in consumer electronics packaging. Check |
| moisture from the salt. | | | | with your local firearms dealer. |
| Other than product packaging and shipping, are | | | | 5. Preserve photographs and documents by |
| there other uses for these little sachets? Should | | | | placing them in an airtight container with desiccant |
| the consumer be stashing them away in a drawer | | | | packs to ensure protection from excess moisture. |
| or toolbox for later use? Let us look at a few | | | | There are other desiccant packs other than the |
| options. | | | | silica gel packs. While these are more familiar to |
| Uses for desiccant packs, commonly called silica | | | | us, other drying agents work as well or better. |
| gel packs: | | | | Kraft has a pack composed of an alumino silicate |
| | | | clay compound, which they claim to be more |
| 1. Remove excess moisture from soaked cell | | | | economical than silica gel. This product controls |
| phones or other electronics. With all electronics, | | | | moisture in contained environments in many |
| remove the battery as quickly as possible to | | | | different industries, including pharmaceuticals and |
| avoid as much damage as possible. Through | | | | electronics. |
| shaking, toweling, and whatever other means are | | | | When there is a need to control excess moisture, |
| possible, remove as much of the visible water as | | | | do not forget to consider desiccant packs as a |
| you can. However, do not use heat devices such | | | | possible solution. |