Also, if you leave it out, it gets real hard and you just need to wet it before using again

 

I think I will keep mine out until this spring when I wash on a more regular basis. The tube says "odor and mildew will not affect the Absorber". I don't want my car to smell like mildew right after a good wash . Hand washes right now are going to be few and far between with the cold and all .

 

I have used the Absorber (I have a couple) for a number of years. It has been kept damp in the tube always. Even after prolonged non-use, it never gets smelly or mildewy.