Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Silica gel sachets as I fight with moldy shoes
Has anyone a good alternative to silica gel to combat the moisture retained in shoe boxes??? 
We have been battling over some dampness in our flat (which I get the feeling it is quite a common complaint along the Ladder, is it?) and our next episode involves shoes with molds. I have looked for solutions as to how to get rid of the molds (e.g. cleaning with denatured alcohol) and how to keep them dry after you cleaned them.
As they come around often, thinking lightly that can come in handy, I have been collecting sachets of silica gel from things like snacks and the boxes of new shoes, electric goods, etc. So, I thought I can leave them in shoe boxes to keep them dry.
However, I did a little check online and, although silica is a naturally occurring material so it should not do any harm environmentally in principle, it is a desiccant and, it can be used as a pesticide by "removing the oily, protective film that covers insects' bodies, cau...". This makes me think that a concentration of this material is no good in natural environment. Also, there are some issues to do with ingesting some amount of this too. (Not that I am suggesting that you would eat the content of the sachets intentionally...)
Although they are ubiquitous they are not as ubiquitous as plastics, therefore, they may not be present in nature in mass to affect the eco system as much. So, on that ground, I may use the sachets I collected since they are there, but there may not be much reason for me to buy more of sachets to fuel the economy of silica gel trade to further concentrate the presence of silica gel.
So, I thought would write to see if anyone has thought about this and has a good solution for keeping the shoes tidy and dry.
P.S. Also, I welcome any idea of environmentally friendly ways to dispose the gel too.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Philip on
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Crikey! Dampness is not a localised feature of the Ladder. It always has a cause and can always be cured. Owner occupiers will certainly want to track down the source but tenants may have some more problems with a landlord though not necessarily. if you are getting mold on shoes etc, you really have a damp problem, often caused by being near an exterior wall which may be retaining moisture or have an external water source keeping it cold.
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Permalink Reply by Kotoko OS on
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Hi, Phillip,
Thanks. Sorry, I did not meant to say everywhere is like that in the Ladder. I guess it is more to do with old buildings rather than the area per se. (Though it makes me feel wondered about the water tightness of New River...)
Anyway, yes, we have gone through one iteration of the specialist visit and works done in result of the visit. Redone the interior plasters, installed more vents under the floor and double glazed windows to regulate the temperature drop which causes condensation. It has significantly improved, but I have got a feeling we need to keep at it.Once spores spread, we keep getting more of them. So, I wanted to get to the bottom of this and shoes are the one in the spot light.
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Permalink Reply by Lydia R on
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Have you tried rice in a cloth bag or a tied-up J-cloth? I'd be inclined to put a couple of drops of lavender oil on the rice as well, to keep the moths away.
As for disposal of silica gel, unless it has been in contact with hazmats I don't see why you shouldn't just throw it out.
Lydia Rivlin: Conservative Party candidate, Harringay Ward.
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