You've probably heard that you should put your phone in a bag of rice in an attempt to dry it out if it gets wet, but after some thorough testing from the folks at Gazelle, it turns out there is something that will absorb way more water from your damaged device. It's kitty litter!
Silica gel beads could help
According to Gazelle, silica gel beads are a good option to absorb moisture out of phones. Silica gel beads can be found in those white packs labeled "Do not eat" many products come packed with.
The smartest option is to keep synthetic desiccants (drying agents) on hand. These usually take the form of those small, square packets that you find in shoeboxes and packages of beef jerky. You know, the “DO NOT EAT” stuff. These packets typically contain little beads of silica gel, which absorbs moisture around them.
Cat litter pellets are designed to absorb pet excretions, so they will also absorb moisture from the air.
Clumping litter is made from clay materials, such as bentonite. Clay is naturally porous and absorbs excessive amounts of moisture.
We don't get a ton of rain in the Borderland so it's not surprising we aren't really prepared when it hits hard. There is one trick that you can use to help if your house is flooding. Kitty litter. Yes, it can be used to soak up water you might have at your house.
What actually happened is that it took a while for the water to reach sensitive connections inside the phone. Once it did, the water shorted them out. In a small number of cases swamped phones are able to dry out on their own over the course of days or weeks. But it's not common.
Drying Your Phone
If you have a microfiber cloth, that will work best. In a pinch, a clean towel (even paper towels) will do. Use the cloth to remove as much moisture from your phone as possible, taking special care not to push any water into the charging port, headphone jack, or card slots.
Q: Can I use a hair dryer to dry my wet phone? A: No, it could seriously damage it.
Do not -- we repeat, do not -- use a blow dryer; the heat can damage the phone. If you have a phone or a gadget with a cover that comes off, take it off, and take out the battery, the SIM card, and anything else that can easily be removed.
Give it as long as possible to dry out. Ideally you want to allow 48 hours or more, but at least leave it overnight if you can.
In fact, Apple's website touts airflow as a wet phone fix instead of dry rice. According to Apple, you should leave your phone in a dry area with some airflow to help remove moisture. You can even place it in front of a fan blowing cool air to "help the drying process," the company says.
Place in rice
The rice trick is a popular solution for drying out a wet phone. Fill a bag or bowl with uncooked rice and place your phone inside, making sure it's completely covered. Rice will help absorb any moisture left in the phone.
Check under the screen for moisture
Specifically, you should wipe the front of the screen and check the underside for water or moisture. You can do this by shining a light on the display while it is turned off and checking from different angles.
The former standard means that your phone can be submerged in up to one meter of freshwater for about 30 minutes without any seeping into the device, while IP68 means that the device can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes.
The answer to, “Can water damage fix itself?” is no, unfortunately. If you don't take action in the moment to minimize the damage, it can last longer and get worse. How long it takes to dry out your home really depends on how quickly you can get rid of all traces of moisture.
Prevent grease fires
Pour a layer of cat litter into the bottom of your grill for worry-free outdoor cooking. Get rid of that musty smell when you open the closet door. Just place a shallow box filled with cat litter in each musty closet or room. Cat litter works great as a deodorant.
Other life hacks to lower or get rid of condensation
Yes, you heard that right, Cat litter is also known for its water-absorbant qualities and can be used to take water out of the air. Tie the tights to a secure location such as the rearview window shelf and let this trick work its magic.
'Salt has adsorption properties, which means that it can bind to moisture and prevent it from developing condensation. This is why salt is often used in the kitchen to stop water droplets from forming on dishes or silverware,' explains homecare expert and archeologist Barry Gray from The Tool Square.
Dry your phone in the microwave - Very dangerous and can start a fire. Don't put your phone in the freezer - Once you remove it and the ice melts, you're back to square one. Use a hair dryer to dry your water damaged phone - The heat can fry already blown-out circuits.