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To do this, you’ll need to select the flowers you want to dry and trim their stems to your desired length. Next, find a container with an airtight seal that is large enough to accommodate the flowers without crowding them. Pour a layer of silica gel at the bottom of the container, place the flowers on top, and gently cover them with more silica gel, making sure to support delicate petals and blooms. Seal the container and let it sit for several days to a few weeks, depending on the flower type and size.
The silica gel will gradually absorb the moisture from the flowers, leaving them beautifully preserved with their shape and vibrant colors intact. Once dried, carefully remove the flowers from the silica gel, and they’ll be ready for various crafting and decorative purposes.
2. Save your phone
Separate your phone and battery. Place both into a sealable baggie with as many silica gel packets as you can find. Seal the bag and let it set until morning. (It sure beats wasting an entire bag of rice!)
3. Keep your pumpkin fresh
If your Halloween pal molds and rots too quickly, try tossing a few silica gel packs inside the carved pumpkin. It will keep moisture at bay and keep your jack-‘o-lantern mold-free a little longer. (Bonus: the gel packs aren’t flammable so you should be okay to light your jack–o-lantern as usual.
4. Protect your leather shoes
Toss a few silica gel packets into your leather shoes (or even sports shoes) to suck out the moisture and keep them from getting moldy.
5. Dry your swimsuit
Try tossing a few of these packets into a zip lock bag with your damp swimsuit to suck out the moisture on the fly.
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