What do most people know about the gel beads that manufacturers put in shoe boxes?
Most likely, the only thing is that these balls cannot be eaten. And, since there is no use in them, then it would seem that they can be thrown away.
In fact, these balls are a real find for any housewife. This review contains 9 useful tips on how to use these balls at home.
Silica gel is a substance for absorbing moisture.
First, let's figure out what kind of balls these are and for what purpose shoe manufacturers use them. Inside the paper bag are granules of silica gel, a substance that has adsorbing properties, that is, it absorbs moisture. These balls help keep leather shoes in boxes dry. Silica gel can be used in everyday life for the same purpose: to prevent the development of dampness and reduce humidity levels.
Suitcase
Sun, sea and sand – a great holiday! The last day is especially the busiest, when you want to swim until you leave. And you will have to take wet swimsuits and towels home. To prevent things from suffocating and acquiring a musty smell, it is enough to put several bags of silica gel in a bag with them. Of course, the bags will not dry wet things completely, but their natural smell will be much more pleasant to the sense of smell. Such a small nuisance will no longer be able to spoil the memories of your vacation.
Gel bags will serve well for those who travel a lot and do not have time to dry their things. Even an iron can’t save the situation, but silica gel can do the job. It will rid clothes of residual moisture. The issue of dry things will be resolved.
Benefits of use and can it be purchased separately?
A bag of balls in shoes can be purchased separately without any problems. The product is sold by many companies. You can purchase it as silica gel filler in a paper package. It is also possible to buy silica gel granules. Large granules are often used as cat litter.
Among the advantages of using silica gel for household needs are:
- simplicity;
- availability;
- safety;
- efficiency.
Silica gel products have a service life of approximately 3 years. After this period, the moisture absorption efficiency and other properties of the balls decrease. It is worth noting that when placing a bag of granules in an aggressive environment (high humidity), the loss of sorption properties is significantly accelerated.
If you want to protect any product from moisture, then using silica gel bags is considered an extremely good solution. To create the necessary humidity conditions in a small box or small bag, just 2-3 bags of balls, which come with the shoes, are enough. For more complex tasks, it is recommended to purchase silica gel granules in specialized stores in the required quantity.
How to protect shoes from stench
You can prevent the appearance of a malicious odor by adhering to two “golden” rules:
- Foot skin care. You should keep your feet clean and healthy. When you arrive home, you should wash your feet and should not use deodorants too often, as this can cause an unpleasant odor.
- Shoe care. Love shoes and she will love you back. After wearing, shoes must be aired, traces of dirt removed and dried.
At the first signs of excessive sweating of your feet, you should pay attention to the quality of your shoes.
To eliminate discomfort and reduce the likelihood of developing bacteria and fungal infections, you should use shoe odor deodorants. However, if you experience symptoms of hyperhidrosis, you should visit a doctor. If you maintain foot hygiene and take proper care of your shoes, using shoe fresheners, you can forget about the malicious odor forever. Rate this post
How to use
In addition to the standard method, silica gel can be widely used in everyday life. It is used to solve the following problems:
- Drying your phone and electronic gadgets that have been submerged in water. To effectively dry mobile devices that are wet or under water, you need to take several bags of granules, open them, pour the beads into a container and place the phone in this container.
- Keeping your gym bag fresh. If you put silica gel in a paper bag in your bag, it will stay fresh longer. The balls will absorb moisture and odors from training clothes and shoes.
- Storing old things and photographs. Putting a few packets of silica gel in a box with old items can significantly extend their shelf life. Products will not lose their original appearance longer.
- Seed storage. Seeds for further planting can be stored in a box with silica gel.
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The scope of application of a bag of granules is not limited and depends only on a person’s imagination. You can safely put silica gel in a container with an item that needs to be protected from moisture. It is worth noting that this substance is non-toxic and does not harm complex technical devices and delicate items.
Can silica gel be used in the refrigerator?
In addition, this material is non-toxic, so even if it is placed in the refrigerator or freezer, it will not pose any health hazard to consumers.
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Eliminating odors in a car
Usually, so-called “Christmas trees” are used to eliminate unpleasant odors in the cabin, but almost all of them have an intrusive aroma that not all drivers can tolerate. You can get rid of unpleasant odors and high humidity in the car using silica gel - this will require about a kilogram of balls, which must be placed in different places. By the way, it is not at all necessary to collect the bags by taking them out of boxes with new shoes - most often the material is freely sold in shoe or hardware stores and is quite inexpensive.
Why is silica gel dangerous?
Silica gel is fire- and explosion-proof; in terms of the degree of impact on the body, it belongs to substances of the 3rd hazard class. Silica gel dust contains from 10 to 70% free silicon dioxide; chronic inhalation of such dust may lead to the development of lung disease - silicosis.
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Pharmacy - assistant for fresh shoes
If you are not satisfied with special products for eliminating shoe odor, then you can try using products offered by pharmacies.
Such substances include:
- Activated carbon. Perfectly absorbs moisture and odor. To use, crush 10 charcoal tablets and place the powder in your shoes. Coal is black in color and leaves marks on the insoles.
- Hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide helps rid shoes of fungus and stench. You just need to treat the inside surface of the shoe and let it dry. You can use a solution of potassium permanganate in the same way.
- Essential oils. Essential oils of tea tree, lavender and mint help fight bad odor. Dissolve a few drops in water and wipe the inside of the shoes. Let dry.
Top deodorants
- Scholl Fresh Step. It perfectly removes unpleasant shoe odors and protects feet from infections, and also reduces sweating due to the content of special substances in the composition. Volume 150 ml.
- GEHWOL. A common type of shoe freshener for this brand is a spray. The aerosol should be sprayed onto clean, dry feet on both sides, between the toes and inside the shoes. Has an antibacterial effect. Volume 150 ml.
- Didivik. Manufacturer Russia. Actively fights bacteria and fungi. Volume 125 ml.
- Salton. Manufacturer: Czech Republic. Effective for various types of shoes. It eliminates odors well and has a negative effect on fungi and bacteria.
Seeds
Many vegetable growers, summer residents, and amateur gardeners know that the quality of seeds is the key to a good harvest. It is not enough to grow them; it is important to save the seeds until the sowing season. Storage conditions provide for certain standards, where high humidity is completely undesirable. The seeds may become moldy and not germinate in the spring. Moisture-absorbing balls cope well with this problem. Seeds in the company of an adsorbent will perfectly retain their reproductive properties, will not become damp or dry out, and in the spring they will delight vegetable growers with friendly shoots.
What to do if your cat eats silica gel?
Let's consider this extremely unpleasant situation: a pet swallowed silica gel
. In this case, it is necessary to urgently go to a veterinary clinic or call a doctor at home, as there is a risk of intestinal blockage. When granules enter the body, they disrupt the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
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Precautionary measures
Silica gel is not a safe substance, so when using it you need to follow some simple rules:
- Keep out of the reach of small children and pets to prevent them from mistaking them for pills.
- If it accidentally crumbles, then you need to find every last ball.
- It is undesirable to heat it at temperatures above 100°C, otherwise it may explode.
- Do not place near food.
If they are temporarily not used for their intended purpose, they should be stored in sealed packaging so that moisture from the air does not enter there.
If necessary, the wet gel can be dried in the oven at a temperature of no more than 100°C for about half an hour. It is not advisable to increase the oven temperature, otherwise the gel may explode. If you don't want to take risks, just buy a new package of gel balls at the store.
