Materials

The best material to use for desiccant is silica gel. It is easily available from any craft store because it is used to dry flowers. Silica gel can absorb 40 percent of its own weight in water, making it an ideal substance. Reversing the process and removing the water is an easy process with this material. Be sure to stick with the gel and stay away from finely milled silica powders because the powders can be bad for your lungs if you inhale them.

Containers

Using vitamin bottles or something similar will be best for homemade desiccant packs. Simply fill the container with the silica gel and tape two coffee filters over the top. These filters allow the moisture to enter the bottle but prevent any possible spills. Put a label on the side that indicates how heavy the bottle will be when it needs to have the moisture removed.

Measuring

You'll need to take a few different measurements. The first is noting the weight of the empty container. The second is the weight of the container and the silica gel. Subtract the weight of the container and you'll get the weight of just the silica gel. By multiplying the weight of the silica gel by 1.35, you'll get the weight of the gel when it is full of water. Add this number to the weight of the container and you will have your target weight for regenerating your pack. Mark this weight on the container so you know exactly when it is getting close to full.

Removing the Water

Once the desiccant pack is full, you simply need to take the gel and place it on a baking sheet and place it in the oven at 300 degrees for three hours. Take it out and let it cool down and it's ready to be used again. Be sure that the baking sheet you use is separate from the ones you cook on because not all silica gels should come in contact with your food.

You don't have to spend a ton of money on desiccant packs anymore. The process of making and maintaining these packs is simple enough to make it worth your while to save the money for something more important.