Why are there often little paper packets marked Silica Gel in boxes of new shoes?
The silica gel is to absorb moisture from the shoes and the areas where they are stored. This keeps items such as shoes or purses or anything where moisture could cause “damage” to the product. This also helps companies to keep their products appealing to their customers so that they will want to purchase their product. The average customer would not want to purchase something that has a musty smell to it like it has been stored in an old attic for years and years.
