The importance of keeping your home or office dry, especially when the weather is too humid, cannot be overestimated.
To solve this problem, quite a variety of devices and devices are used, each of which has its own unique features, advantages, and disadvantages.
Over the past 10-15 years, it is the Bead dehumidifiers have become something of a household name.
These molded beads, called silica gel, are known to reduce the amount of moisture in rooms. Let’s talk about them in this article.
Table of Contents
What is a dehumidifier Bead?
Dehumidifier pellets are more or less porous pellets that are hermetically packaged in individual bags that are used to draw moisture from the air in rooms.
They are some kind of crystals or beads that are white in color but are actually silicon dioxide. It represents the classic material you find in beach sand.
A bead of silica has millions of tiny, almost invisible holes, and as a result, it is able to give a tiny object a fairly large surface area. This large surface area is necessary to achieve its best absorption properties and to disperse heat around the room.
Despite their small size, silica gel pellets really do a great job. Just imagine that they can retain about 45% of the moisture of their own weight.
How do desiccant beads work?
Silica gel is often referred to as a non-electric dehumidifier. As the basic material in dehumidifier pellets, it works by absorbing moisture that comes into contact with it, thereby keeping the air fresh and dry.
Those who use such pellets often stack them in a place where there is a lot of humidity. And, by the way, it is not necessary to change such helium balloons quickly. It is enough to put them on the shelves, in cabinets, and change, after 3-4 months of daily use. The quality they have will not be affected.
How long do Dehumidifier Beads last?
Dehumidifier beads can last for months or even years. But the shelf life is directly related to how well they were packaged, hence stored, and how they were used by the end-user.
If you have organized your storage procedures properly, these silica gel beads can last you from five months to a year. It is only important that the packaging in which the balls are stored be airtight.
Remember that it is not recommended to take the balls out of the package one hour before you use them. By doing so, you will only shorten their lifespan.
Once you unwrap the pellets, you can use them for up to four months.
Can the dehumidifier pellets be reused?
Of course, yes. Users use the dehumidifier pellets multiple times. As soon as you start noticing that they’re not doing their job, replace them with another or “reset” the existing ones.
By the way, there are several ways to “reload” helium balloons.
For example:
- Drying in the sun;
- Using the power of the oven;
- Using the power of the microwave.
Oven Method
You will need a baking tray, foil, and an airtight container. Next:
- Preheat the oven;
- Cover the baking tray using foil;
- Place the helium beads on the baking tray, distributing them evenly over its entire area.
- Place in the oven and leave to warm for several hours. The time depends on the thickness of the beads.
- When you take them out after a certain time, cool them on a baking tray.
- Store according to the instructions, putting the beads in an airtight container.
Microwave
The steps are quite simple:
- Put the helium beads in a container;
- Put the container in the microwave and set the timer to heat for four minutes.
- Be sure to watch the color of the pellets (the darker they are, the more likely they are dry);
- If necessary, turn on the microwave again for three to four minutes.
- Repeat the process until the pellets are completely dry.
- After that, place the beads in the container and close them tightly.
40 g of LotFancy silica gel drying beads
Are reusable balls that absorb moisture well. Use in cars, closets, bags, and shoes.
The bags containing the pellets are odorless, completely non-toxic, and do not include cobalt chloride in their composition. That is why you can be 100% sure that no chemical reactions will occur.
The beads have an orange, distinct color. If soaked in moisture, the beads may change their color to green. In this case, do not throw them away, but dry them in the microwave or oven using the methods shown above.
TinyHippo 5 grams 80 packets. Silica gel desiccant packets
When it comes to silica gel beads, the name TinyHippo is known by everyone. The brand has managed to establish itself as the most reliable dehumidifier manufacturer. It can be used multiple times. They are often used to dehumidify food products, reduce humidity in cabinets, cars, and other rooms.
These balls absorb moisture, almost 35% of their own weight. They are safe.
Wisesorb Premium Silica Gel Indicator Beads
The distinctive feature of these balls is that they are sold in plastic bags and tin packaging. They have blue in color. As soon as the color changes to pink, it means that the balls should be dried again. Such drying balls can be used in containers for important papers, to get rid of moisture in the tools.
By the way, you can replace the balls no more often than once every six months. Sometimes they are replaced once a quarter. It all depends on how well you use them.
Note that balloon dehumidifiers are cheap, as well as easy to use. They don’t require much maintenance. Try one of the options presented above and choose the one that suits you best.
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