Accidentally Washed Your SD Card?
We’ve all been there – you’re doing laundry and forget to check your pockets, only to pull out a sopping wet mess of clothes and find your SD card floating in the wash. SD cards are delicate electronics that store our precious photos, videos, and other data. Having one go through the washing machine can be a scary experience.
SD cards are flash memory cards that allow you to store and transfer data between devices like cameras, phones, and computers. They are a crucial tool for photographers, videographers, and anyone who needs portable storage. But what happens when these handy devices get dunked, soaked, and sloshed inside a washing machine? Can SD cards survive a trip through the wash – and if so, how do you rescue your data?
In this article, we’ll explore whether SD cards can withstand a washing machine cycle, how to recover data from a water-damaged card, and tips to keep your data safer in the future.
SD Card Basics
SD cards are made up of multiple components encased in a protective plastic casing. At their core, SD cards contain flash memory chips that store data digitally. There are a few main internal components:
- Controller – This chip manages the read/write operations and data transfer between the memory chips and device.
- NAND flash memory chips – Stores the actual user data. Made up of many NAND memory cells.
- Connector – The physical pins and contacts that allow the SD card to interface with devices.
The memory chips inside are not waterproof themselves, but the plastic casing provides some protection from moisture, with most consumer SD cards rated to withstand water splashes although not to be submerged [1]. However, the internal components could still be damaged if water seeps into the casing.
Factors That Cause Damage
There are a few key factors that can cause damage to SD cards when washed:
Water can short circuit the electronics inside the card. The conductive nature of water can create paths for electricity to flow where it shouldn’t, potentially frying components 1. Prolonged exposure to water increases the chances of short circuiting.
Soap residue left behind after washing can lead to corrosion of the card’s metal contacts and internal components. Soap contains various chemicals that can react with and degrade the materials on a circuit board 2.
The heat from clothes dryers can potentially warp plastic casings and demagnetize the memory components inside SD cards. High temperatures can soften plastics and alter magnetic properties of memory materials 3.
Minimizing Risk of Damage
The best approach is to keep SD cards away from water entirely as they are electronic devices with sensitive components that can easily corrode or short circuit. However, accidents do happen. Using a protective case provides added water resistance for the SD card. There are waterproof and splashproof SD card cases available from brands like Pelican that are IPX7 rated for water resistance.
If an unprotected SD card does get washed, handle it very gently and allow it to fully air dry before trying to use it again. Do not try to dry it using heat, and never reinsert a damp SD card into your device. Once fully dried out, attempt to access the SD card and format it in your computer or device. This may allow you to reuse the card if the water exposure did not cause permanent damage. However, there is still a significant risk that the card’s internals sustained irreparable harm.
Sources:
https://progradedigital.com/how-to-clean-memory-cards/
https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/445347/Why+is+my+sd+card+not+dectable
Steps to Try After Washing
If your SD card gets exposed to water, here are some steps to try to recover the data:
First, remove the SD card from the device immediately and let it air dry for at least 24 hours. Allowing time for the card to dry out is important, as trying to access data while moisture is still present can cause further damage. Place the card in a dry, ventilated area without direct sunlight or heat.
Next, visually inspect the card for any apparent physical damage once fully dried. Look for corrosion, melted plastic, or bent pins. If the card seems physically intact, you can try inserting it into a computer or device to see if it can be read.
Carefully insert the SD card into a card reader or device like a camera. If the device recognizes the card and you can access the files, immediately transfer the data to another storage device. Avoid saving new data to the damaged card.
If the computer fails to recognize the card, does not assign a drive letter, or reports errors, the card’s controller chip may have suffered damage. But specialized data recovery software can sometimes bypass the controller to pull data off the memory directly.
Formatting the card is not recommended, as this makes recovering deleted files more difficult. But if the card prompts you to format before use, you may need to do so to access the data.
Data Recovery Options
If an SD card stops working or data cannot be accessed after being washed, there are some recovery options to try retrieving the data, but nothing is guaranteed if the memory chips are damaged:
Professional data recovery services like Secure Data Recovery and DiskTuna can often recover data from malfunctioning cards using specialized tools and techniques in a lab environment. They dismantle the card’s casing and attempt to read data directly from the flash memory chips. Success rates can be high if the chips themselves are still intact.
DIY data recovery software like Recuva can possibly restore deleted files from a card by scanning the raw data, as long as the sectors storing that data have not been overwritten. But this does not help if the card has suffered physical damage.
If the memory chips themselves are damaged due to water exposure or other physical issues, it becomes very difficult to recover any data. The electrical components and data pathways within the chips could be corrupted. So there are no guarantees that data can be saved if the SD card’s internals are fried.
Precautions Going Forward
While SD cards can sometimes survive going through the wash, it’s best to be careful and avoid exposing them to water when possible. Here are some precautions you can take:
Be careful when washing clothes with devices/cards in pockets – Always double check pockets before throwing clothes in the wash. It’s easy to forget and accidentally send devices through the cycle. Develop a habit of checking every item before washing.
Store important data in multiple places as backup – Don’t rely on a single SD card for important files and data. Keep backups in other secure locations like external hard drives, cloud storage, or another SD card stored safely. This way if one copy gets damaged, you won’t lose everything.
Consider waterproof case or insurance for valuable data – For very sensitive or valuable data, store the SD card in a waterproof case designed for electronics. There are inexpensive hardened cases that will protect the card if exposed to water. Or, look into data recovery insurance that can help recover lost files if damage does occur.
Summary
To recap the key points from this article, SD cards are surprisingly durable and can often continue working even after being washed. The plastic casing and absence of moving parts gives them a good chance of surviving short water exposure. However, risks remain due to potential corrosion of the metal contacts and internal circuitry if power is applied while still wet.
If your SD card gets washed, do not insert it into any device right away. Allow it to air dry completely for at least 24-48 hours. After drying, attempt to access the data normally through your computer or device card reader. If the card is not detected or data cannot be read, try gently cleaning the contacts with isopropyl alcohol and a soft brush. Professional data recovery services may be able to rescue data if all else fails.
To avoid potential loss from water damage, keep SD cards protected in cases when not in use. Handle them with care around sinks, tubs, pools, and other wet areas. Consider backing up your data regularly as a precaution. By understanding the risks, taking sensible precautions, and following these tips, you can often recover SD cards and their contents even after inadvertent washing or water exposure.
The Bottom Line
The short answer is yes, SD cards can often still work after being washed. However, water exposure can potentially damage SD cards and make data recovery difficult or impossible.
Many SD cards survive through a washing machine cycle and continue functioning with no issues. The plastic casing and covered contacts provide some protection from water damage. However, water can still seep into the interior components, leading to corrosion over time.
So while SD cards may work immediately after washing, they become more susceptible to future failure. Important photos or files on the card could still be at risk. Taking precautions like proper drying and avoiding further moisture is advised.
Overall, the best practice is to keep SD cards away from water and other liquids to avoid potential damage. But if an accident happens, quickly dry the SD card, check that it still works, and take steps to backup the data and watch for problems down the road.
