Desiccants are by far one of the most popular and widely used protective packaging materials. In fact, if you’ve ever ordered a product online, you’ve likely found one of these small packets inside your package. While most people wouldn’t think twice about throwing it away, many don’t realize that these packets can actually be reused!
What is a Desiccant?
Desiccant packs absorb moisture from the air to keep products dry. There are different types of bags, such as molecular sieves, montmorillonite clay, calcium chloride, and the typical silica gel. Desiccant bags can be tailored to serve specific functions such as eliminating and absorbing oxygen from a closed container, combating mildew, and inhibiting rust. Many different industries utilize desiccants because of their versatility and efficiency in protecting packaged items such as electronics, semiconductors, food, machinery and more.
How Long Do Desiccants Last?
While desiccant bags don’t have a set expiration date, most desiccant bags last between 1 and 3 years. Outside factors, such as the environment they’re exposed to, can shift this timeframe as well.
How Do You Reuse Desiccant Packs?
When silica gel absorbs moisture, it goes from being in an active state to an inactive state. When this happens, it just needs to be reactivated so that it can be used again. You can do so by pouring the inactive silica gel beads in a thin layer on a baking sheet. You should then preheat the oven to 175 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the beads for 15 minutes. The heat in the oven will draw the moisture out from the desiccant material and reactivate the drying agent. After you remove the desiccant bag from the oven, place them in a zip lock bag to keep away moisture. After this, the desiccant pack will be ready to use!
Get the Best Desiccant Bags Available
Desiccant bags are an effective way to keep moisture away from products. Their ability to be used repetitively and for different products makes them a great item to have in your home. At Edco Supply Corporation, we have desiccant packs available in sizes ranging from 1/6 unit to 80 units so that you can choose the correct amount to meet your needs. Browse our desiccant options and request a quote, or reach out to our team today with questions!
