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The_Fire · 23rd November 2011, 01:57 AM

So, it finally happened: I forgot a memory stick in my jeans pocket before putting it in the washing machine.....

While not the most important data in my life, I would really like to know what the chances are that I can still use it when its done as it is my 8 gigabyte stick.........

Anyone?

icerat · 23rd November 2011, 01:59 AM

As long as you let it dry completely before you use it, it's probably fine. You might want to open it up and dry it yourself rather than let it sit though.

Brian-M · 23rd November 2011, 02:12 AM

The chances are pretty good once it's dry. Unless you leave it damp for long enough to corrode the terminals, water isn't going to do it any permanent damage.

(The same applies for most electronic equipment. As long as you dry it out properly before you use it.)

commandlinegamer · 23rd November 2011, 04:36 AM

Only if there isn't power still being supplied, i.e. via an internal battery.

arthwollipot · 23rd November 2011, 04:51 AM

Put it in salt. I wouldn't suggest using a hair dryer, as many people do suggest. A hair dryer would likely blow the moisture about, making the corrosion problem worse. Cover it in rock salt (not fine ground salt) for about 24 hours and it should be fine.

DrDave · 23rd November 2011, 04:59 AM

Mine's been washed 3 times with no ill effects.

Ocelot · 23rd November 2011, 05:14 AM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

Put it in salt. I wouldn't suggest using a hair dryer, as many people do suggest. A hair dryer would likely blow the moisture about, making the corrosion problem worse. Cover it in rock salt (not fine ground salt) for about 24 hours and it should be fine.

I was going to suggest sealing it in a bag or rice for similar reasons. Any desiccant would do. So if you can get hold of a whole bunch of silica gel that's just dandy.

Darat · 23rd November 2011, 05:23 AM

Originally Posted by Ocelot

I was going to suggest sealing it in a bag or rice for similar reasons. Any desiccant would do. So if you can get hold of a whole bunch of silica gel that's just dandy.

I've got dozens of the little bags that come with electronic equipment for use in such emergencies! (I think it's a breeding colony as I'm sure the buggers are multiplying.)

The_Fire · 23rd November 2011, 10:41 AM

Didn't have any silica (will start hording the stuff in the future however) but put it in a closed container with rocksalt. Thanks for the advice to everyone.

OnlyTellsTruths · 24th November 2011, 02:40 AM

I believe with rice you are less likely to get harmful fine particles/powder in the electronics like with some salts.

elgarak · 24th November 2011, 04:09 AM

I have a memory stick that I have forgotten in my pants for laundry at least five times.

No problems at all. The thing still works, and it's the cleanest stick around

. I mean, they're nearly always unpowered when they're not plugged in, so the liquids won't really damage them. Just need to dry, is all. Now, putting them through a clothes dryer might be harmful... Never tried that...

Some other experience: I once spilled coffee over my wireless keyboard. Took out the batteries and dunked the whole thing in water. Took a long time to dry (over a week), but no harm done otherwise. Now there's a new keyboard out with solar cell power. I like that idea, to save on batteries, but I wonder if an accident like this may be more problematic, since it will get power from the solar cells.

Brian-M · 24th November 2011, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by elgarak

I like that idea, to save on batteries, but I wonder if an accident like this may be more problematic, since it will get power from the solar cells.

The amount of current that indoor solar cells (and small batteries) can supply is too low to cause any damage. If you spill coffee on it, it might go a little haywire (eg, sending gibberish to the computer), but there would be little more chance of permanent damage than if it were unpowered. (Maybe a slightly higher chance of corrosion due to the electrolytic effect.)

Dan O. · 24th November 2011, 11:20 PM

With all of the suggestions of using a hair dryer, rock salt, rice, silica gel, etc. the goal is to remove the moisture from the device before corrosion takes place and without causing additional harm to the device. The rock salt, rice and silica gel can all absorbe moisture from the air and help maintain a lower relative humidity in a closed environment. But, if you have kept these in open containers, they will have reached an equilibrium and will not be able to lower the humidity below the ambient level so you are better off leaving the device in the open air.

You can drive moisture out of these absorbers by raising their temperature and when they cool they will again absorbe moisture from the air. I don't know the maximum temperatures that they can be dried at but it should be easy enough to look up. Store them in an airtight container in a cool place and they will be ready for the next time you need them.

If you already have a low relative humidity, simple moving air will do a good job of drying.

Reducing the atmospheric pressure will dramatically increase the rate at which water will evaporate. The increased evaporation causes cooling which can even result in freezing. This is the process known as freeze drying except generally the formation of ice crystals is bad so the process adds heat to compensate. If you don't happen to have a vacume chamber this probably won't help. A household vacume (Hoover) doesn't have enough suck to make much of a difference.

Slightly elevated temperatures and moving air both accelerate evaporation. If you happen to have a convection oven, it will probably have a dehydrate setting that will not be too hot for electronics.

Salerio · 24th November 2011, 11:40 PM

I've done it a few times, left the stick in pocket and just shoved it in the washer. They have always worked once retrieved - usually because you get a "what the heck is that rattling about in there" feeling

fuelair · 25th November 2011, 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by DrDave

Mine's been washed 3 times with no ill effects.

One of mine (16GB SanDisk Cruzer) has been through wash and dry twice and still works fine (all of mine are doubled just in case though). Two others (2 and 8 Gig) have been through once each and still work.

AgeGap · 25th November 2011, 12:57 AM

Had a 1Gig stick go in the machine. That was back when 1Gig was a lot and they included a lanyard. Stick was OK and the lanyard was improved due to the fabric conditioner.

Brian-M · 25th November 2011, 12:58 AM

Since everyone's relating their experiences, I did have one go through the wash and it worked fine afterward, but then failed a few months later.

I'm not sure if the later failure had anything to do with going through the wash, or because it was a cheap piece of junk.

(Or possibly both.)

Cuddles · 25th November 2011, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths

I believe with rice you are less likely to get harmful fine particles/powder in the electronics like with some salts.

This. Remember that salt water is rather more corrosive than fresh water, so you could actually end up causing more damage from some of the salt dissolving. I'd always go with silica gel or rice rather than salt.

Verde · 25th November 2011, 09:33 AM

Washing is probably not a problem. I've had a couple that I retrieved and they worked just fine.

Putting them in the dryer is a big no-no. The heat warps the contacts, or even in one case the entire body so it won't plug in.

I recommend not trying to dry them in the microwave oven.

V.

The_Fire · 25th November 2011, 09:44 AM

Well, its still working.....will use rice the next time.

23rd November 2011, 01:57 AM	#1
The_Fire Unimpressed Female Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: 8th level of Hell - Maleborgia Posts: 3,038	Memory stick and spincycles...... So, it finally happened: I forgot a memory stick in my jeans pocket before putting it in the washing machine..... While not the most important data in my life, I would really like to know what the chances are that I can still use it when its done as it is my 8 gigabyte stick......... Anyone?
	__________________ If anyone told you that I'm a nice person, they were either from a different level of existance, lying through their teeth or mentally instable. "We? That better be you and that invisible aardwarck in your pocket you are talking about, because I KNOW you are not stupid enough to open a giant can of whoop ass by claiming you know what I think." Stop Sylvia Browne

23rd November 2011, 01:59 AM	#2
icerat Illuminator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: sweden Posts: 3,298	As long as you let it dry completely before you use it, it's probably fine. You might want to open it up and dry it yourself rather than let it sit though.
	__________________ Benford's law of controversy - Passion is inversely proportional to the amount of real information available On my Ignore List - Joecool NewtonTrino Porkchopjim Tex2 If someone on my ignore list posts something you'd like me to respond to, please let me know.

23rd November 2011, 02:12 AM	#3
Brian-M Daydreamer Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Downunder Posts: 4,387	The chances are pretty good once it's dry. Unless you leave it damp for long enough to corrode the terminals, water isn't going to do it any permanent damage. (The same applies for most electronic equipment. As long as you dry it out properly before you use it.)
	__________________ "That is just what you feel, that isn't reality." - hamelekim

23rd November 2011, 04:36 AM	#4
commandlinegamer Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mazes of Menace Posts: 5,994	Only if there isn't power still being supplied, i.e. via an internal battery.
	__________________ He bade me take any rug in the house.

23rd November 2011, 04:51 AM	#5
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The other side of your screen Posts: 43,244	Put it in salt. I wouldn't suggest using a hair dryer, as many people do suggest. A hair dryer would likely blow the moisture about, making the corrosion problem worse. Cover it in rock salt (not fine ground salt) for about 24 hours and it should be fine.
	__________________ Jadey (in RvB game thread): I just want to take a moment to commend Arth on his role as Parasitic Alien Tumor. I think he really connected with the character and there were times when I forgot that he was just acting. That's the kind of talent that you can't teach.

23rd November 2011, 04:59 AM	#6
DrDave Illuminator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Geneva Posts: 3,137	Mine's been washed 3 times with no ill effects.

23rd November 2011, 05:14 AM	#7
Ocelot Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: London Posts: 3,016	Originally Posted by arthwollipot Put it in salt. I wouldn't suggest using a hair dryer, as many people do suggest. A hair dryer would likely blow the moisture about, making the corrosion problem worse. Cover it in rock salt (not fine ground salt) for about 24 hours and it should be fine. I was going to suggest sealing it in a bag or rice for similar reasons. Any desiccant would do. So if you can get hold of a whole bunch of silica gel that's just dandy.
	__________________ EDL = English Disco Lovers

23rd November 2011, 05:23 AM	#8
Darat Lackey Administrator / JREF Forum Liaison Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: South East, UK Posts: 64,988	Originally Posted by Ocelot I was going to suggest sealing it in a bag or rice for similar reasons. Any desiccant would do. So if you can get hold of a whole bunch of silica gel that's just dandy. I've got dozens of the little bags that come with electronic equipment for use in such emergencies! (I think it's a breeding colony as I'm sure the buggers are multiplying.)
	__________________ If it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart? - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 1918-2008

23rd November 2011, 10:41 AM	#9
The_Fire Unimpressed Female Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: 8th level of Hell - Maleborgia Posts: 3,038	Didn't have any silica (will start hording the stuff in the future however) but put it in a closed container with rocksalt. Thanks for the advice to everyone.
	__________________ If anyone told you that I'm a nice person, they were either from a different level of existance, lying through their teeth or mentally instable. "We? That better be you and that invisible aardwarck in your pocket you are talking about, because I KNOW you are not stupid enough to open a giant can of whoop ass by claiming you know what I think." Stop Sylvia Browne

24th November 2011, 02:40 AM	#10
OnlyTellsTruths Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 5,921	I believe with rice you are less likely to get harmful fine particles/powder in the electronics like with some salts.
OnlyTellsTruths Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 5,921	__________________ ________________________

24th November 2011, 04:09 AM	#11
elgarak Graduate Poster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: No matter where I go, there I am Posts: 1,868	I have a memory stick that I have forgotten in my pants for laundry at least five times. No problems at all. The thing still works, and it's the cleanest stick around . I mean, they're nearly always unpowered when they're not plugged in, so the liquids won't really damage them. Just need to dry, is all. Now, putting them through a clothes dryer might be harmful... Never tried that... Some other experience: I once spilled coffee over my wireless keyboard. Took out the batteries and dunked the whole thing in water. Took a long time to dry (over a week), but no harm done otherwise. Now there's a new keyboard out with solar cell power. I like that idea, to save on batteries, but I wonder if an accident like this may be more problematic, since it will get power from the solar cells.

24th November 2011, 09:55 PM	#12
Brian-M Daydreamer Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Downunder Posts: 4,387	Originally Posted by elgarak I like that idea, to save on batteries, but I wonder if an accident like this may be more problematic, since it will get power from the solar cells. The amount of current that indoor solar cells (and small batteries) can supply is too low to cause any damage. If you spill coffee on it, it might go a little haywire (eg, sending gibberish to the computer), but there would be little more chance of permanent damage than if it were unpowered. (Maybe a slightly higher chance of corrosion due to the electrolytic effect.)
	__________________ "That is just what you feel, that isn't reality." - hamelekim

24th November 2011, 11:20 PM	#13
Dan O. Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,912	With all of the suggestions of using a hair dryer, rock salt, rice, silica gel, etc. the goal is to remove the moisture from the device before corrosion takes place and without causing additional harm to the device. The rock salt, rice and silica gel can all absorbe moisture from the air and help maintain a lower relative humidity in a closed environment. But, if you have kept these in open containers, they will have reached an equilibrium and will not be able to lower the humidity below the ambient level so you are better off leaving the device in the open air. You can drive moisture out of these absorbers by raising their temperature and when they cool they will again absorbe moisture from the air. I don't know the maximum temperatures that they can be dried at but it should be easy enough to look up. Store them in an airtight container in a cool place and they will be ready for the next time you need them. If you already have a low relative humidity, simple moving air will do a good job of drying. Reducing the atmospheric pressure will dramatically increase the rate at which water will evaporate. The increased evaporation causes cooling which can even result in freezing. This is the process known as freeze drying except generally the formation of ice crystals is bad so the process adds heat to compensate. If you don't happen to have a vacume chamber this probably won't help. A household vacume (Hoover) doesn't have enough suck to make much of a difference. Slightly elevated temperatures and moving air both accelerate evaporation. If you happen to have a convection oven, it will probably have a dehydrate setting that will not be too hot for electronics.
Dan O. Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,912	__________________ Permanent solution to national fiscal problems: Collect UNDIEs from dead rich people. (link)

24th November 2011, 11:40 PM	#14
Salerio Thinker Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 208	I've done it a few times, left the stick in pocket and just shoved it in the washer. They have always worked once retrieved - usually because you get a "what the heck is that rattling about in there" feeling
Salerio Thinker Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 208	__________________

25th November 2011, 12:17 AM	#15
fuelair Cythraul Enfys Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 29,310	Originally Posted by DrDave Mine's been washed 3 times with no ill effects. One of mine (16GB SanDisk Cruzer) has been through wash and dry twice and still works fine (all of mine are doubled just in case though). Two others (2 and 8 Gig) have been through once each and still work.
fuelair Cythraul Enfys Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 29,310	__________________ There is no problem so great that it cannot be fixed by small explosives carefully placed. Wash this space! We fight for the Lady Babylon!!!

25th November 2011, 12:57 AM	#16
AgeGap Master Poster Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,394	Had a 1Gig stick go in the machine. That was back when 1Gig was a lot and they included a lanyard. Stick was OK and the lanyard was improved due to the fabric conditioner.
AgeGap Master Poster Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,394

25th November 2011, 12:58 AM	#17
Brian-M Daydreamer Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Downunder Posts: 4,387	Since everyone's relating their experiences, I did have one go through the wash and it worked fine afterward, but then failed a few months later. I'm not sure if the later failure had anything to do with going through the wash, or because it was a cheap piece of junk. (Or possibly both.)
	__________________ "That is just what you feel, that isn't reality." - hamelekim

25th November 2011, 08:25 AM	#18
Cuddles Decoy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: A magical land full of pink fluffy sheeps and bunnies Posts: 16,676	Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths I believe with rice you are less likely to get harmful fine particles/powder in the electronics like with some salts. This. Remember that salt water is rather more corrosive than fresh water, so you could actually end up causing more damage from some of the salt dissolving. I'd always go with silica gel or rice rather than salt.
	__________________ I am not a little teapot.

25th November 2011, 09:33 AM	#19
Verde Muse Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Where the jackalopes roam. Posts: 817	Washing is probably not a problem. I've had a couple that I retrieved and they worked just fine. Putting them in the dryer is a big no-no. The heat warps the contacts, or even in one case the entire body so it won't plug in. I recommend not trying to dry them in the microwave oven. V.
	__________________ It makes sense, if you don't think about it. - T-Mobile ad You're innocent when you dream. - Tom Waits Religion was invented when the first con man met the first fool. - Samuel Clemens Last edited by Verde; 25th November 2011 at 09:34 AM.

25th November 2011, 09:44 AM	#20
The_Fire Unimpressed Female Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: 8th level of Hell - Maleborgia Posts: 3,038	Well, its still working.....will use rice the next time.
	__________________ If anyone told you that I'm a nice person, they were either from a different level of existance, lying through their teeth or mentally instable. "We? That better be you and that invisible aardwarck in your pocket you are talking about, because I KNOW you are not stupid enough to open a giant can of whoop ass by claiming you know what I think." Stop Sylvia Browne