Orange, White and Blue Silica Gel, What's the Difference Between all of them?

Look at all the colors of different Silica Gels!

Silica gel is a widely used porous material that adsorbs moisture and is frequently used to limit the damaging effects of humidity. Its widespread use has led to the creation of many different types, colors, and sizes of silica gel. This article focuses specifically on why silica gel comes in different colors, and the three most frequently seen colors are: blue, orange, and white. How does the color of silica gel make a difference?

Blue Silica Gel

The indicate color is blue because it has cobalt chloride in it. The reason cobalt chloride is used is because it allows blue silica gel to turn pink once it has reached its adsorption capacity, in other words it’s an indicator for silica gel being full of moisture. The creation and disposal of blue silica gel is difficult because cobalt chloride is toxic.

Orange Silica Gel

Orange silica gel has methyl-violet in it, which is what gives it an orange color. Orange silica gel turns green once it has reached its adsorption capacity. Like blue silica gel orange silica gel is also an indicating type of silica gel, however methyl-violet is not toxic making it safer to create and use.

White Silica Gel

White silica gel is non indicating silica gel. What this means is as the silica gel adsorbs moisture it does not change colors. This type of silica gel is most frequently used for preserving items and for reducing humidity for items that are in storage. White silica gel is the type of gel you find in the little packets you find when you purchase certain products.