With a new report saying nearly a third of young people (those in the 18-24 age group) do their social media business while on the loo, you might have a better sense of why so many people’s cellphones seem to take the plunge into the toilet. Sure, it slipped out of your pocket.
Regardless, whether your device has become water logged after being dropped in the toilet or into a bowl of soup after it slipped from your ear-shoulder choke-hold, all is not lost. There are steps you can take to dry them out in an effort to revive them.
If you haven’t done so already, as soon as you recover the device from the liquid, dry it off and remove the battery. Dry everything as best you can with a cloth.
From there, some would swear by a method that involves putting your device in a baggy full of uncooked rice. It’s a technique that has been shown effective time and again, although some cases could be too far gone.

(Image: Shutterstock.com)
If you dropped your phone in a liquid other than water, meaning it was sugary, salty or soupy, some suggest giving it an alcohol bath (rubbing alcohol that is). According to WiseGeek, the alcohol could help evaporate liquid and get rid of other substances beyond water. It suggests using a alcohol concentration of 95 percent — most are 70 percent — if it’s available and a cotton ball.
And if you’re not into any of these home remedies, there are products available for purchase that claim to dry out small electronics as well, like the Bheestie Bag. Created by the Oregon-based company, Bheestie Bags use “molecular beads” that draw out the moisture from a device’s many crevices. Extreme exposure to liquid, like a full on dunk, could require up to three days in the bag.

(Image: Bheestie Bag)
According to the company, the bags are 700 percent more effective than home remedies. Here’s how the beads work, according to the company’s website:
Bheestie Molecular Beads (TM) contain tiny pores of a precise and microscopic size that are used to specifically target and trap water molecules eliminating moisture from within the sealed Bheestie Bag (TM). Our beads are engineered to adsorb water up to 22% of their own weight.

Bheestie Bag beads. While the beads are blue, the bag can still be reused. Once the beads turn white, it’s time for a replacement. (Photo: Bheestie Bags)
The bags can be used multiple times as well. According to the website, when the beads are blue, they’re still usable. Once they turn white, they’ve done all the absorbing they can.
A Bheestie Bag for a cellphone costs $20 and tablet size is $39.
A similar product in concept — iFixit’s Thirsty Bag — creates a desiccator-like environment inside a bag as well. A single Thirsty Bag costs $9.95. Watch this video about the product:
Featured image via Shutterstock.com.






















































































































Comments (52)
brewercm
Dec. 7, 2012 at 3:02pmAnd the one thing that the makers of these bags won’t tell you is you can usually get the beads to work again (turn back to blue) by putting them in the oven at about 250degrees. Usually for about 30 minutes to an hour and the beads will be good to go again.
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shakedowncrews
Dec. 7, 2012 at 2:44pmAs a whitewater kayaker, I’m in the water a lot. We usually put our cell phones into dryboxes or drybags. But on one trip, a friend had slipped his brand new iPhone into the pocket of his shorts, and took a very long, cold swim in the river that had the phone fully submerged for up to 3 to 5 minutes.
Of course, when he realized, he though the phone was toast.
But I told him to immediately remove the battery. Then we placed his phonein the dash of the car in direct sunlight and left the windows cracked slightly. He left the phone in this condition for several days, and then putthe battery in.
It worked flawlessly after that.
You can also place electronics (without battery!!!!!!) inside a small toaster over on low heat, say 100º for a day. This will thoroughly bake out the water without damaging the plastic components. A friend did this when his Nike camera went in the river on another canoeing trip (I have this talent for dunking friends with expensive electronics!)
Lesson: Do not take expensive electronics with me on boating trips.
But if you do…remove the battery and bake out the water ASAP!
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FromtheRight
Dec. 7, 2012 at 3:23pmiPhones don’t have removable batterys.
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White Devil
Dec. 7, 2012 at 3:56pm@From
I was wondering if someone was going to say that.
I had an iPod nano that went through the washer in the pocket of my jeans. It came out smelling great (like fabric softener), it was totally waterlogged. I freaked out but I had friends who told be of the rice method. I threw it in a sandwich baggie, along with the earbuds that were with it that were also waterlogged, full of rice. A couple days later, it worked like new again. It was such a relief :)
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eek
Dec. 8, 2012 at 2:56am@Whitedevil, I did the same to my nano a few years back. I thought if I was truly a moron or if others had done the same by accident, so glad I’m not alone! Unfortunately, I didn’t know about any of these methods and I ended up getting a new one, still have it!
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MCF142
Dec. 14, 2012 at 4:56pmMy solution is a variation on the rice routine. It seems to work a bit better and a lot faster than just dunking in a bag of rice, and STILL works, even if you can’t remove batteries (personal experience, 4 separate devices).
Get one of the vacuum sealing food containers, fill it half full with rice, drop in your device (in my case, an iPod Mini and 3 different phones), then vacuum seal it. Leave it in at least overnight and then charge it up and you’re off to the races.
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trtmntdude
Dec. 7, 2012 at 1:46pmI am a bit disturbed after reading comments like” It’s worked for me many times”.
I guess some people are slow learners.
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brigott
Dec. 7, 2012 at 1:32pmAn important consideration: once the phone is wet, DO NOT turn it on to “see if it still works.”
Assume that it does not work, and do not try turning it on until it has been thoroughly dried. Moisture has a tendency to short-circuit electricity, don’t you know. Turning it on before it has dried my “zap” otherwise good circuits.
Patience, my friends, patience.
Always assume the battery needs to be replaced.
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brigott
Dec. 7, 2012 at 1:28pmI was given a desktop computer that had been partially submerged in backed-up sewer water following a flood and which was rather nasty inside. Of course, it did not operate.
I took all of the parts out and cleaned them with a soft toothbrush and water on the assumption that the computer was not working, so I couldn’t hurt it any more. I used a hair dryer to thoroughly dry everything before putting it back together. The only part that was not salvageable ended up being the modem, but $40 at that time for a new modem returned the $1000 computer to perfectly useable condition.
I have also used a hair dryer set on low and about 12 inches from a cell phone to thoroughly dry the phone and return it to working condition after the battery was replace.
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deano24
Dec. 7, 2012 at 1:28pmOn the TV show NCIS, Abby Sciuto used the uncooked rice method to remove water from a cellphone.
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Priscilla King
Dec. 7, 2012 at 12:43pmGreat topic!
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rfycom
Dec. 7, 2012 at 11:32amAnd,,,,,,,,, 88% of the time the battery is the only thing that needs replacing. After the phone is dry, of course.
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SeekerEmerald
Dec. 7, 2012 at 11:11amGetting the batteries out ASAP is VERY important. Even if it’s not turned on, the voltage from the battery is still in some of the circuits, and electrolysis will begin to occur. Electrolysis will cause any exposed charged metal surfaces to “corrode” and the corrosion itself will conduct electricity, shorting out circuits.
Getting the battery out of an iPhone or iPod is not something most people can do. The tools are specialized, and the skill required is not common.
Put the device in a ziploc bag with some rice, or silica gel packets, and put the bag in the sunlight.
Be paitent, it’s better to let it dry TOO long, than not long enough. A couple of days at LEAST, if not a week. You really want it ALL out!
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grimjack3791
Dec. 7, 2012 at 11:06amYou morons, all you do is put it in the microwave for 45 seconds. Works every time.
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Deliverance_from_the_left_now
Dec. 7, 2012 at 11:21amI’d hold off on calling people morons when your advice is microwaving your electronic device. I’m just saying that I’ve seen aluminum foil in a microwave and it’s a wonderful micro firework display.
But you know what is fun to microwave…Peeps!!! Microwave a Peep for about 30 – 45 seconds!!! Anyone who’s done that knows what I’m talking about…just make sure it’s on a plate first.
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DougHuffman
Dec. 7, 2012 at 12:44pm“Squeal like a piggie,” Deliverance, your sensitivity to sarcasm is monolithic.
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ronin_6
Dec. 7, 2012 at 12:59pmIts called sarcasm Deliverance
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BadDog-NoBiscuit
Dec. 7, 2012 at 2:51pmI find that the dishwasher works better… ;)
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SactoDan
Dec. 7, 2012 at 10:42amI have successfully brought back an iPod touch that went through the laundry, and an iPhone that shared a bag with a broken bottle of water. (Kids LOL).
First I drained any water by holding the device with the openings (earphone jack etc.) facing down down. If it was soaked enough some water will run or drip out.
Then, using a high intensity desk lamp, I positioned the devices with the openings facing up, about 6-10 inches below the lamp. This allows the lamp to warm the device without over heating it, and allows the slowly evaporating water to escape.
It can take overnight.
It has worked twice for me. My children were very grateful.
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Deliverance_from_the_left_now
Dec. 7, 2012 at 11:16amThat does sound like a really good way to save your device…I’ll have to keep that in mind in case something like that happens to my family or friends…good advice!!!
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98Bravo
Dec. 7, 2012 at 10:14amI had a iphone, was in water for maybe 20 minutes or more, not sure.. anyway.. put it in rice near a wood stove so it got good heat, maybe 100 degrees for over 24 hrs. Still doesn’t work.. I can’t be out of a phone that long.. so I had to get another one. Keeping the old one and I am hoping eventually it will work, but I am not hopeful.
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John10Yes
Dec. 7, 2012 at 10:05amI took my smartphone for a swim in our salt water pool over Thanksgiving. Had some issues until we washed it out with clean filtered (reverse osmosis) water to get the salt out of it.
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Thighmaster
Dec. 7, 2012 at 9:23amWould it be advantageous to put rice and your cell phone in a Seal A Meal bag and vacuum it out and leave it for a few days ? I’m thinking the vacuum would draw the moisture out better.
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M1A2_Tanker
Dec. 7, 2012 at 5:18pmYes. Water boils at lower temps in a vacuum, I’m not sure you can pull enough of a vacuum in a bag to make a huge difference though.
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GNAC
Dec. 10, 2012 at 9:54amNO – a vacuum sealed bag will not help. You need the other molecules there for mass transport to take place. In fact, you would be better off if you could provide a dry stream of air to move through the device. Since that is hard to achieve in a home setting (in a lab use a nitrogen purge) your best bet is some sort of water magnet – a molecular sieve ( the baggies) or rice (very dry and wants to abosrb water and hold it). Now how does the water get from the deivce to the rice? Mass Transport from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. Without air or a carrying gas it will move much slower. Also, heat speeds the equalibrium reaction.
A vacuum chamber – where you can keep removing the water that volitilizes – would work – since you continue to remove the water as it turns to a gas. Again , using a small purge would speed up that process also. That crazy mass transport thing again……
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CobraBill
Dec. 7, 2012 at 9:08amDon’t turn it on, take it apart the best you can.
Then I use a hair drier, it worked on mine many times.
Same goes for keyboards or any other electronic device.
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may40
Dec. 7, 2012 at 9:06amMy son’s ipod went through a full wash cycle. I left it on the windowsill where the sun could get at it, laid it on a towel, didn’t turn it on for several days and lo and behold it worked. I don’t know if the same would work for a phone but thought I’d get that out there.
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kentuckypatriot
Dec. 7, 2012 at 10:18amI washed my daughter’s ipod also. Same thing, left it out to dry and I’d say a month later, after we figured it was garbage, she turned it on and it worked. Now, this summer, my hubby went swimming and forgot his I phone was in his swim trunks pocket. Tried leaving in rice for a few days, it was fried. I don’t even think the battery can be removed from an i phone, can it?
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term limits for congress
Dec. 7, 2012 at 9:06am… and don’t lick it… and, wash your hands before returning to work.
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Wilma
Dec. 7, 2012 at 9:05amThis works. We have revived many cell phones this way. First we put the device in a barely warm oven overnight. Then in rice in a warm oven. They eventually come back. Sometimes it takes a few weeks to completely dry.
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captquest
Dec. 7, 2012 at 9:02amThe alcohol bath works very well. This method saved my Garmin phone over a year ago and it still works fine. I had dropped it in a puddle of muddy, oily water. The trick is once you’ve washed it out with the alcohol, be patient and let it dry for a few days before using it.
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DougHuffman
Dec. 7, 2012 at 12:12pmBe careful with ‘alcohol’, they are also versatile solvents and there is a wide variety of stuff that is ‘alcohol’ – methanol, ethanol, propanols – all have a saturated carbon bound to a hydroxyl function group.
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swoods08
Dec. 7, 2012 at 2:42pmUse De-natured alcohol. And, like a lot of the previous posts have said, get your battery out of the LD phone ASAP. Once liquid rolls across your motherboard/main board and bridges those chips/components it can damage your device beyond repair. Also GET INSURANCE on your phone, you will be glad you did.
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DougHuffman
Dec. 7, 2012 at 3:03pm@Woods, “Use De-natured alcohol.”
Typical denaturing additives include methanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and denatonium. Denaturing alcohol does not chemically alter the alcohol molecule. Rather, the alcohol is mixed with other chemicals to form an *undrinkable* solution.
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honor007
Dec. 7, 2012 at 9:02amRice works!
I have did this. Was so hot in Dallas during Restoring Love and excited to get into the pool. Forgot that I had my phone stashed in my bra….lol. I dove in, yes I did. rice and 48 hours, worked for my Iphone…lol.
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Bloody Sam
Dec. 7, 2012 at 10:35am“I have did this. ”
What? Are you a LOL cat?
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honor007
Dec. 7, 2012 at 11:20amOh? excuse me…….. “I have done this”
really?
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White Devil
Dec. 7, 2012 at 4:01pmLOL cat was exactly what I thought too.
I can has cheezburger. lol :)
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flattop
Dec. 7, 2012 at 9:00amRice is a good desiccant. In humid areas of the country, you can put a small amount of rice in the bottom of salt shakers to keep the salt from clogging the holes in the cap.
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PeteOH
Dec. 7, 2012 at 8:42amASAP after getting phone wet, break it down.. Take off any case, the back, pop out the battery and stick in direct sunlight or under a warm table lamp til you can get it in a bag or in a container (sealed) of rice. DO NOT USE IT!!
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DougHuffman
Dec. 7, 2012 at 8:41amRecycle the silica gel packets that come free in everything, from electronics to medicines. If you suspect they’re exhausted, dry them in a 250°F/120°C oven. Or calcium chloride – DampRid – that I keep as calcium source for hot tub chemistry.
I have a gallon screw top jar, on its side, with a large paper packet of CaCl, into which goes a wetted electronic device after a distilled water (for topping up batteries) rinse.
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media-bias-steals-elections
Dec. 7, 2012 at 8:36amNice!
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HappyConservative
Dec. 7, 2012 at 8:35amThe article forgot to mention something very important…Whatever you do, when you get your phone wet, resist the temptation to turn it on to see if it is still working. doing so can short the circuitry out. Wait until you have dried it out using whatever method before powering it on…..
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