Why you may want to keep silica gel packets in your car

(NEXSTAR) – The little packets you find at the bottom of newly purchased items – from shoes to electronics to packaged food – are more useful than you may have thought.

The little packets contain silica gel, a desiccant that absorbs moisture. Most people throw them out, but environmental advocates are asking you to think twice before you toss them into the trash.

No, you can't eat them – as the packaging prominently warns – but they can be reused in other ways.

The important thing to know is silica gel is great at absorbing moisture, so you can use it in any place you'd like to keep dry. You can throw them in the back of your linen closet or bathroom drawers to soak up the moisture that can gather in humid spaces. If you've got a camera bag or another place you keep electronics, they are useful there.

Similarly, you can toss them in your camping gear to avoid mold and mildew when it's stored away, suggests Sustainability Matters. Silica gel can also help keep jewelry from tarnishing or metal tools from rusting.

One place nearly everyone will find silica gel useful is in the car. You can gather up a bunch of packets (some people suggest putting them in a sock) and place them on the dashboard of your car. It can prevent the windows from fogging up on cold mornings so you don't have to sit and wait for the windshield to defrost before hitting the road.

Once they've soaked up moisture, the packets need to be dehydrated to keep being useful. To do this, you can bake them on a sheet tray in the oven at a low temperature. (Check out these tips from the Canadian Conservation Institute to make sure you do it safely.)

Whatever you do with these packets, remember to keep them away from young kids, as they remain a choking hazard.