When electronics like phones get wet or are exposed to water, liquid can get inside the device and damage internal components. Rice is often recommended as a way to dry out water logged electronics and potentially save them from permanent damage.
The idea is that rice will absorb any moisture present inside the device. Rice is hygroscopic, meaning it naturally absorbs water molecules from the air and surrounding environment. When electronics are buried in rice, the rice will draw water out from inside the device.
Using rice to dry electronics has some potential benefits but also risks. On the plus side, rice is inexpensive and readily available in most homes. The drying process doesn’t require any special tools or technical skill. Rice won’t actually stick to the device or leave any residue behind. There’s a chance immersing an electronic in rice could successfully extract enough water to save the device and allow it to function again.
However, there are drawbacks to this DIY drying method. Rice doesn’t necessarily absorb water fast enough to prevent corrosion or short circuiting, especially if the device was exposed to a large amount of liquid. Opening up the device to pack rice inside could actually exacerbate water damage. Burying electronics in rice is messy and takes time. Most importantly, results are not guaranteed, and the device may still be damaged beyond repair even after sitting in rice for days. Professional data recovery services tend to have higher success rates.
How Rice Absorbs Moisture
Rice is able to absorb moisture from wet electronics through a process called diffusion. Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the case of wet electronics and rice, there is a higher concentration of water molecules in the wet device and a lower concentration of water molecules in the dry rice.
The water molecules will naturally diffuse from the wet device into the rice until equilibrium is reached and the concentration of water is the same in both. This process works because rice is hygroscopic, meaning it attracts and absorbs moisture from the surrounding environment.
[reference1: https://www.ricearray.org/faqs/electronics-in-rice/]
Recommended Drying Time
Experts recommend leaving your wet electronics in rice for 24-48 hours to allow the rice to fully absorb any moisture. However, the ideal drying time can vary depending on several factors:
Amount of water exposure – If your device was fully submerged, it will take longer to dry out than if it just got splashed.
Rice volume – Using a large container filled with rice allows for more surface area contact and moisture absorption.
Device size – Smaller devices like phones may only need 24 hours while larger electronics like laptops could take 48 hours or more.
It’s best to err on the side of caution and leave your device in rice for at least 48 hours if possible. Checking it occasionally and rotating it in the rice can also help facilitate drying. The most important thing is allowing enough time for the rice to fully extract all moisture before attempting to power on your device again.
When Rice May Not Work
While rice is a popular home remedy for drying out wet electronics, it does have some limitations. If significant corrosion or mineral deposits have already started to form inside the device, rice may be ineffective at reversing the damage.
Rice absorbs surface moisture through passive diffusion. However, if water has reached sensitive internal components like the logic board, corrosion can begin in as little as 24 hours. Rice does not actively remove this trapped moisture from crevices and underneath chips. Once corrosion sets in, the metal traces and connections inside the device can oxidize and degrade beyond repair.
Additionally, substances dissolved in the water like salts and minerals can leave behind deposits as the water evaporates. Rice does not dissolve or remove these deposits which can bridge connections and lead to short circuits. In these situations where the water damage is more severe, rice may fail to extract enough moisture to save the device.
According to experts at Wired, rice only serves as a partial fix for minor cases of water exposure. For more significant damage, seeking professional repair is recommended to properly dry out and clean internal components.
Alternatives to Rice
While rice is a popular DIY method for drying out wet electronics, there are some other desiccant options that may work better in certain situations:
Silica gel packets – These are small packets filled with silica gel beads that are highly absorbent and great for pulling moisture out of the air and electronics. Many products like shoes, purses, and electronics come with silica packets that can be reused. Just make sure they are dry before using again (Source).
Desiccant packets – These absorbent packets work similarly to silica gel and are often found after opening packages of medications, food, or other household items. Check if any desiccant packs are lying around your home to dry out electronics (Source).
Kitty litter – The clay material in most kitty litters makes it very effective at absorbing moisture. Pour some kitty litter into a sealable bag with the wet device. Make sure it’s not clumping litter, which can get stuck inside ports and crevices (Source).
Removing Trapped Moisture
Rice can absorb surface moisture from your phone, but it may not be able to fully remove water that has seeped into small openings and crevices. To help remove trapped moisture:
Expose any removable parts, like the back cover, battery, or SIM card tray. Allow these pieces to dry separately from the phone body. Removing these parts allows airflow into the phone interior (Source).
Use a can of compressed air to blow airflow into any ports or openings, like the charging port or headphone jack. The compressed air can help push out trapped moisture (Source).
Avoid trapping moisture by not fully reassembling the phone or case until it’s completely dry. Any remaining damp areas can lead to corrosion.
Is It Safe to Power On?
It is crucial to wait a substantial amount of time before attempting to power on an electronic device that has been exposed to moisture. According to experts, you should wait at least 48 hours before trying to turn on a wet device.1
In fact, it is highly recommended to wait 1 full week, if possible, before powering on a device that got wet. This gives sufficient time for any residual moisture to fully evaporate. Turning on a device too soon can cause short-circuiting which leads to permanent damage.
Be patient and refrain from repeatedly trying to power on the device during the waiting period. Just leave it off and let it thoroughly dry out. It’s better to wait longer rather than risk further harm by rushing to turn it on prematurely.
Long-Term Water Damage
While a device may seem to function normally immediately after drying, water exposure can still cause long-term damage over time. Residual moisture and minerals left behind can lead to the gradual corrosion of electronic components, causing them to fail unpredictably days or even weeks later.
According to ifixit.com, contaminants from the liquid can also create lingering issues by shorting out circuits or facilitating dendrite growth between components. This gradual damage may eventually make the device stop working entirely.
If your electronics have been exposed to water, it is smart to have a professional evaluate them for damage, even if they still function normally. For valuable data, professional recovery services may be able to extract data before corrosion progresses and causes total failure.
Prevention Tips
The best way to handle water-damaged electronics is to prevent the damage from happening in the first place. Here are some tips to help keep your devices dry and safe:
Invest in a waterproof case – Protect your smartphone, tablet or other electronics with a waterproof case when heading to the pool, beach or other wet environments. Look for one with an IP67 or higher rating.
Limit liquid exposure – Be very careful around sinks, bathtubs, pools and other places where devices can come into contact with moisture. Never place electronics on the edge of a full bathtub or sink.
Use moisture-absorbing bags – Place silicone beads or moisture-absorbing bags in your bag or case to help keep humidity away from electronics. These can actively suck up any trace moisture.
When to Seek Professional Help
If your device contains valuable or irreplaceable data, it may be worth taking it to a professional data recovery service rather than trying to dry it on your own. Data recovery services use specialized tools in dust-free clean rooms to safely extract data from water damaged devices. This gives you the best chance of recovering your files.
Professional data recovery can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, but for personal photos, documents, or other data you can’t replace, it may be worth the investment. Just be sure to stop using your device as soon as it gets wet to prevent further data loss.
You may also want to seek professional help if rice or other drying methods aren’t working. If moisture remains trapped in your device after 48 hours in rice, a technician may be able to open up the device and clean or dry internal components. They can also diagnose any corrosion that could prevent powering on the device.
Leaving electronics in rice for too long when it’s not effectively absorbing moisture could potentially allow corrosion to form. So if rice isn’t working after a day or two, it’s best to move on to other options or professional help to avoid permanent damage.