Silica gel pouches are used to absorb moisture and keep things dry. Brands add them to new products, particularly shoes, handbags, other leather items, delicate garments, electronics etc.etc. to protect products from dampness and fungus. We all find those tiny silica gel packets inside new bags, shoe boxes and other gadgets and they are there for a reason. Silica is a desiccant which means that it is a drying agent - it absorbs moisture from its surroundings. Though the instructions on these packets is to throw them away immediately, you can put them to use for very useful uses at home.