This Tiny, Unexpected Item Should Always Be in Your Suitcase

When opening a box with a new product for the first time, you’ve probably noticed those tiny silica gel packets that always seem to accompany whatever item is inside. There’s a reason for this — silica gel packets containing silicon dioxide beads are highly effective at absorbing moisture, which helps keep the contents of a package free from excessive humidity or mold. This is why so many manufacturers rely on these pouches when it comes to shipping brand-new products. However, there’s another use for silica gel packets that every traveler should be aware of. Here’s why you should throw a few of these tiny packets into your suitcase before embarking on your next trip.

Moisture Removal

If you’re traveling to a particularly humid environment, such as the Caribbean or Southeast Asia, the elevated levels of humidity won’t just cause unusually frizzy hair — they can also pose a risk to certain items in your luggage.

For example, humidity can affect the consistency of makeup and other topical products you may be traveling with, leading to clumping and ineffectiveness. Tossing a silica gel packet into your toiletry bag helps maintain a low relative humidity inside the bag compared to the surrounding environment, which keeps your beauty products from changing textures. You might also consider placing a few silica packets inside your camera bag, computer case, or adjacent to any other electronics in your luggage to prevent excess moisture from damaging your devices.

Silica gel packets even help remove moisture from clothing, such as wet bathing suits or sweaty workout gear. In the event your clothing hasn’t had a chance to fully dry before it’s time to pack up and leave, stuff a few silica gel packets into your luggage to help expedite the drying process. As a bonus, doing so helps keep moisture from forming on any other clothing inside the suitcase. Lastly, if you’re planning to bring back any local spices as a souvenir, you can prevent clumping by storing them beside a few silica gel packets.

Odor Mitigation

These tiny packets also act as natural deodorizers, making them excellent tools for limiting smelly odors in your suitcase. As you travel, you may not have access to laundry services, forcing you to mix all of your dirty and clean clothing inside the same bag. Such close contact may cause odors to transfer, leaving any clean clothing just as smelly as the stuff you’ve already worn. Placing a few silica gel packets in your suitcase helps absorb that unpleasant odor. (You should also put a couple of packets in your shoes for the same reason.) Additionally, silica gel packets can absorb odors from souvenir spices, perfumes, or any other pungent gifts you may have purchased.

Wet Phone Recovery

If you’re using your phone at the beach or sitting by the pool, there’s always a risk that the device may get wet. When this happens back home, many people turn to the classic rice trick to absorb moisture from their phone and get it working again (though experts advise against that). If you accidentally drop your device in water when traveling, reach for those silica gel packets you’ve already packed. Take several packets and place them in a sealed container or plastic bag with your phone. Over the next day or two, the packets should absorb moisture from the phone.

Word of Caution

As useful as silica gel packets are, it’s important to use caution since they can be a choking hazard. If you’re traveling with any young children or pets who may mistake the packets for food, be sure to keep the packets out of reach, preferably inside a secure zipped pouch.

Lastly, it’s best to use brand-new silica gel packets, which can be easily purchased in bulk online. While it’s tempting to reuse old packets you may have lying around, those packets may have already absorbed moisture, thus leaving them less effective. Fresh silica gel packets offer much greater odds of keeping moisture and odors at bay.