![]() The droplets accumulate and slowly build up enough to make contact with growing moisture deposits on nearby gel molecules. Water from moist air condenses onto the solid parts of silica gel. All the tiny gaps among and between these molecules are what allow the gel to hold onto water so well. Together, the ingredients create pellets that, when examined closely, are made of molecular nets and have almost sponge-like structures. The gel itself is basically a mix of water and silica, the main component of sand. Silica gel packets work by taking in moisture when there’s too much and, if the air gets too dry, releasing some of the water they've already absorbed. Read More: Is 'Expired' Milk Safe to Drink? Here's How to Know When to Throw Away Food Humidity creeps into food packaging, too, and ruins the crunch or chewiness of a snack while encouraging mold growth. ![]() Water in the air seeps between seams in casings and can absorb through the plastic directly. Though they appear well-protected, electronics aren’t moisture-proof. Bentonite clay, which comes from volcanic ash, and other chemical formulas, like calcium chloride, also end up in similar places as silica gel packets, for the same purpose: to keep water away from products that really shouldn’t get damp. Technically, silica gel packets are desiccants - the broader category of materials that suck up moisture.
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