# Name of or source of moisture absorber **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 6, 2020, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546 "2020-07-06T23:17:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/1 "2020-07-06T23:17:58Z")
One problem with finding a title for this thread is that I’m not even sure what to call what I’m looking for. You know how when you get a package sometimes there’s a little packet inside to absorb moisture? I’m looking for something like that for storing items. I have some things I don’t use on a regular basis but do want to keep, and I want to protect them from moisture. I have plastic/rubber tubs, but I’d like something to control moisture. What are these things called, and can the average person get some of them? Sorry to be so vague, but I just don’t know the terminology involved. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/2 "2020-07-06T23:19:28Z")
Desiccant packs. You can find on Amazon. ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/3 "2020-07-06T23:19:58Z")
Desiccant packs. ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/4 "2020-07-06T23:28:13Z")
If it matters to you, get the ones that change color when they can’t absorb moisture anymore AND the ones that can also be regenerated (and reused) in your oven. Like this one 🙂 Dry-Packs Industries Orange Visible Indicating Silica Gel Rechargeable Dehumidifier Absorbs Moisture 28 Gram 4PK, 4-Pack [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00967J8DI/ref=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_api\_i\_Bl7aFb9TBK932](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00967J8DI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Bl7aFb9TBK932) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/5 "2020-07-06T23:35:47Z")
Thanks! That’s what I was looking for. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/6 "2020-07-06T23:45:05Z")
By the way, you’re not limited to those little packets if you need something bigger for the job. Scroll around here a bit if you think a larger container would work better and be much cheaper ounce for ounce. Some are refillable as well. > **[DampRid 4 lbs. Hi-Capacity Moisture Absorber Fresh Scent FG50FS - The Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.com/p/DampRid-4-lbs-Hi-Capacity-Moisture-Absorber-Fresh-Scent-FG50FS/206468159?mtc=Shopping-B-F_Brand-G-Multi-NA-Multi-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-Catchall_PLA&cm_mmc=Shopping-B-F_Brand-G-Multi-NA-Multi-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-Catchall_PLA-71700000014585962-58700001236285396-92700052972852992&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImJG5oOa56gIVj4bACh12awpIEAQYASABEgLRRPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)** > > Ensure comfortable spaces for family members and guests by using DampRid's Fragrance-Free Hi-Capacity Moisture Absorber in 4 lb. large tub. DampRid attracts and traps excess moisture to eliminate odors ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/7 "2020-07-06T23:47:49Z")
Crystal type kitty litter is the same thing but may be scented. You can get 10 pounds of the dessicant for much less than buying packets. Just put some in a cloth bag to make your own packets. Once saturated silica gel dessicants can be recharged by heating below 250F for a couple of hours. If you want you can get indicating dessicant that turns blue when saturated with moisture, they can be recharged too, and you only need to use a little of it to tell if all of the dessicant is saturated. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2020, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/8 "2020-07-07T12:05:04Z")
If anything is perishable, you can also get oxygen absorber packets, which IIRC have iron powder. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2020, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/9 "2020-07-07T16:17:30Z")
I use one of these in my safe. Works awesome. Just plug it in overnight every few months. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H0XFCS/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H0XFCS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2020, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/10 "2020-07-07T19:57:39Z")
[Silica gel](https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffsb&q=silica+gel&ia=shopping) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2020, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/11 "2020-07-07T20:49:13Z")
That device is quite clever. I may get a couple of those. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2020, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/12 "2020-07-07T21:16:14Z")
Are you paying fifteen bucks for a plastic box of silica gel? ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2020, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/13 "2020-07-07T21:54:24Z")
If one were to ignore the plug in self-drying capabilities, yes? ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2020, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/14 "2020-07-08T00:52:37Z")
If you make your own be sure to tell people not to eat them. 😋 ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2020, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/15 "2020-07-08T11:53:04Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > If you make your own be sure to tell people not to eat them. 😋 Forbidden snack… ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2020, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/16 "2020-07-08T17:27:55Z")
As long as we’re in GQ, what are the consequences/ramifications if one DOES eat one? Dangerous, or just unpleasant? ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2020, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/17 "2020-07-08T17:49:20Z")
Silica _can_ be a food-safe additive, e.g. as an anti-caking agent. I imagine the packet is a choking hazard. You won’t digest the silica. Anything with a blue/purple indicator may have cobalt, which you shouldn’t eat. But I haven’t seen that in the food packets. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2020, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/18 "2020-07-08T17:57:13Z")
If you’re feeling ~~cheap~~ frugal, you could DIY it with some dry rice and any porous container, like an old tea ball. ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2020, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/19 "2020-07-08T19:13:02Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > If you’re feeling ~~cheap~~ frugal, you could DIY it with some dry rice … I am not sure if that will work. Rather than hijack this thread, I started a new one. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2020, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546/20 "2020-07-08T21:21:33Z")
Packet sizes do come in a range, as mentioned. If you’re drying herbs, a very small packet in a spice jar works well; for dehydrating tomatoes, a bit larger; for throwing in a bag in the closet with your sneakers, something larger.