What should you do if you accidentally washed your headphones in the washing machine or by hand?
Headphones accidentally forgotten in your pocket may well end up in a washing machine or in a basin of soapy water.
The situation is quite common and unpleasant. There is no need to panic and throw away your favorite gadget for listening to music.
Read the article about what to do if you washed your headphones (from an Apple iPhone, wireless and others) in the washing machine and how to dry them properly.
Content
First aid
The less time the headphones are in contact with water, the better. When washing by hand, removing them from your pocket will not be difficult. This must be done immediately after discovery. If a careless owner remembered about the headset only after starting the washing machine, he will have to wait until the cycle completes.
First aid rules:
Remove the device from the wet pocket as quickly as possible.- Disassemble the headset, remove all elements from it. If this is successful, wipe all internal parts with a clean, dry cloth, toilet paper or any material that absorbs moisture well.
- Blow out the device with a hairdryer. This will get rid of drops of moisture that will take a very long time to dry. The air should be warm, but not hot, so that the internal elements of the headphones do not melt.
There is no need to blow through the headset for more than 1-2 minutes. Otherwise, there is a risk of drying out the sensitive membrane.
- Spread paper napkins on the battery and place the disassembled device on them.
- Leave the headset to dry completely for 3-5 days.
Do not turn on the device until it is completely dry.This can cause a short circuit, after which it will not be possible to restore it.
After drying, the disassembled headphones are taken out into the light and inspected. If there are stains left on the membrane from water and powder, it should be carefully wiped with a bandage soaked in alcohol.. It is not recommended to use cotton wool or napkins, as they leave behind lint.
5 ways to dry
If the incident with the headphones happened in the summer and the heating is turned off, you will not be able to use the battery for quick drying.
In this case, you can resort to the following methods:
Dry the headset in natural conditions. The room should be dry and warm. It is not recommended to leave headphones in the bathroom.- Place the device in the sun. It must first be disassembled.
- Use a fan. The headset is mounted in such a way that it is exposed to air currents at all times. The device must remain in this position for at least 3 hours.
- Bury in rice. This cereal perfectly absorbs moisture. To get her to pull it out of the device, it is completely immersed in a bag of rice and left for 12 hours. Before doing this, you need to thoroughly shake the headset and wipe it with a dry cloth.
- Treat disassembled headphones with VD-40 spray. This universal lubricant costs about 170 rubles and effectively displaces moisture. After applying the spray, the device is left to dry the headphones for 1-2 days.
The quality of their sound depends on how quickly the headphones dry. The longer the water remains inside, the higher the risk that the winding will begin to rot.If after drying the device does not turn on and does not make any sounds, or only one side works, it is possible that the wires have been broken.
Here's some unusual advice:
- pour vodka or technical alcohol into a suitable container;
- lower the device into it;
- turn on the music;
- After 10 minutes, remove the headset.
When the headphones are completely dry, they are checked for functionality. Surprisingly, sometimes this method really helps. Alcohol dissolves the powder, which normalizes the sound. You should try this method only if you have nothing to lose and have to buy a new headset.
Features of wireless recovery
If the wireless headphones have been washed, then restore them like a regular wired headset. The device is disassembled, all removable elements must dry separately.
The situation is aggravated by the fact that not only the speaker itself can suffer, but also the source of the signal: Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Therefore, it is necessary to remove water from them especially carefully.
At the same time, a wireless headset is a more modern device, so Manufacturers often provide it with a waterproof membrane. It is able to protect the device from short-term contact with moisture.
The nuances of drying an iPhone headset
Unlike regular headphones, the iPhone headset is more resistant to moisture. Therefore, it is possible that after washing it will continue to work. The main thing is not to try to immediately connect it to your smartphone. The headphones need to be given time to dry.
Even though iPhone headphones resist moisture better than other headsets, they are not waterproof. Therefore, they must be used carefully, avoiding getting into the washing machine.
Repair
It makes sense to send headphones for repair if they are expensive. A cheap wired headset for 200-500 rubles is easier to replace with a new one. You need to take the device to a workshop if the headphones work, but with sound distortion.
Before agreeing to a diagnosis, you need to check with the specialist about its cost. Some service centers charge about 600 rubles just for the process of detecting a fault.
The technician needs to be notified that the device has been washed.. Before signing an agreement for repair work, you need to clarify how effective they will be and their approximate cost.
You need to agree with a specialist so that after opening the device and discovering the cause of the malfunction, he calls the owner and informs him of the price for the services provided. After this, you can decide whether the headphones are worth the money spent on repairs or whether it’s easier to buy new ones.
Depending on the city and the specific service center, the cost of repairs will vary. The average price range is as follows:
- replacing 1 speaker – about 1000 rubles;
- cable restoration - about 500 rubles;
- replacing a Bluetooth module - about 1,500 rubles;
- iPhone headset repair – from 2500 rubles.
The price may increase depending on the urgency of the work performed.
You will find maximum useful information about washing clothes and various fabric products Here.
Conclusion
If your headphones accidentally end up in the washing machine, there is no need to panic. They must be removed from the water as quickly as possible, disassembled and dried in any suitable way..
If you were unable to restore the device’s functionality on your own, it is recommended to contact a service center.
