How do you feel when your valuables get damaged, or you lose them?

No doubt, it can be expensive, frustrating, and emotionally draining. As an audiophile or someone who uses wireless earbuds, it can either be expensive or affordable.

Regardless of the price, you can’t afford them getting damaged or lost. So you ensure that all precautions are taken to keep them safe. Unfortunately, there can be a time when you forget the wireless Bluetooth earbuds inside the pocket of your jeans or shirt.

Some of the best waterproof wireless earbuds like the xFyro xS2 are extremely resistant and won't get damaged easily. 

Don’t worry; this article will show you what you should do if you accidentally put your wireless earbuds in the washer.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• What Could Happen to My Wireless Headphone When it Gets Wet?

• What Should You Do If You Accidentally Put Your Wireless Earbuds in the Washer

• Things You Should Not Do When You Accidentally Put Your Wireless Earbuds in the Washer

• What If My Wireless Headphone Doesn’t Work?

Apart from battery life, secure fit, durability, and sound performance, waterproof is another feature that should be considered when buying a wireless headphone. There are many options of wireless earbuds that are waterproof on the market,but few of them can survive when submerged in water. Do you know that there is a difference between water-resistant and waterproof headphones?

Water-resistant wireless earbuds are able to resist water penetration to a certain degree but not completely. But technically, waterproof wireless earbuds mean water can’t penetrate them when submerged in water and no matter how long they spend in the water. However, it is important that I make it clear that waterproof does not mean your wireless Bluetooth headphone is impenetrable to water infinitely. There is a system called IP (Ingress Protection or International Protection) that rates the waterproofing of a device and allows you to tell how waterproof a device is.

The IP ratings range from IP54 to IP69K. The first digit is the resistant of a device to solids like dust while the second digit is the level of resistant an item has to liquid. The best waterproof wireless Bluetooth earbuds should have IP67 such as the xFyro, IP68, or IP69K waterproofing ratings.This ensures that your earbud is protected from total dust ingress, protected from immersion between 15cm and 1m water depth, and long term immersion up to a specified pressure.

Now that you know the difference between water-resistant and waterproof, you need to ask yourself if your wireless earbud is genuinely waterproof or not. If it is, what are the waterproof ratings? The higher the IP ratings,the higher the chance of your wireless earbuds surviving when accidentally put in a washer. 

What Could Happen to My Wireless Headphone When it Gets Wet?

When you accidentally put your wireless earbuds in the washer, there are some series of scenario that might occur. If you were using your Bluetooth wireless headphones when they dropped in the washer or water, there is a high chance that your device has been ruined. I have mentioned it before that they work based on electric circuits. So, if water interferes with them, they become damaged.

Additionally, the earbuds might not function properly. This often happens when you did not dry them well or try using them a day after they fall inside the washer or water.The sounds coming out of the headphones might sound like an echo or sometimes skip. Try to follow the procedures provided above,and you might be able to get them to work fine.

What Should You Do If You Accidentally Put Your Wireless Earbuds in the Washer

 

Once you have confirmed that your Bluetooth wireless headphones have a higher waterproof rating, the odds of them surviving a trip through a washing machine are in your favor. Here are some steps to take after accidentally putting your wireless earbuds in the washer and retrieving them.

1. Get the wireless earphone dry

When you discover that you have washed your headphones in the washer, remove them immediately and get them dry. The more you waste time, the higher the chances of your wireless earbuds getting damaged permanently. Shake the earbuds very well to remove the excess water inside them. Then use a soft towel to clean them thoroughly.

2. Take the wireless Bluetooth earbuds apart

Some wireless headphones do not require tools to take them apart. But in case yours need tools to dismantle them you can get a paper cutter and scissors. After removing the foam tips, rubber tips or the elastic nozzle sleeves, you can start cutting the seal of the earbud using the paper cutter.It is not necessary that you go around it. When cutting the seal ensure you do it at a single spot persistently until the front case pop out automatically. Take care when opening the seal so that you don’t damage the component inside, cut any wire or disconnect every connected component.

3. Shake the parts to remove water droplets

Once you have taken the parts apart, you will be able to see every single component from the magnet and coil to the diagram of the wireless earbuds.Shake each component carefully to remove the remaining water droplets.

4. Make use of a de-ionized water

This step might not be compulsory,but it is necessary and can be helpful.Do you know why and how? Distilled water which is also known as de-ionized water is non-corrosive and non-conductive. So, when you fill a glass with distilled water drop the parts of the wireless Bluetooth earbuds inside the cup. Shake the glass to ensure the de-ionized water mix and dilute with the remaining water inside the components. Once you have done this for a few seconds, use the soft towel to clean them again and shake each part carefully to remove any water that might be left there.

5. Air-dry the wireless earphone

Once you are done with step four, it is time you dry your Bluetooth earbuds. Put the separated components on the table or a place where air can blow on it. Ensure you air-dry the headphone for at least 48 hours. Don’t try to fast track the drying by blowing it with your mouth or using a source of a strong air stream.

6. Get the device dryer

After you have air-dried the device get a bag with ziplock and desiccant and put the wireless Bluetooth earbuds in it. The desiccant can be blue crystals of silica gel or uncooked rice. The rice granules will absorb the moisture. You can also put the bag in the sun but ensure it does not get too hot. Open the bag every few hours to replace the rice and remove the excess moisture. You can do this for one day or two.

7. Remove the wireless Bluetooth headphone

Once you have done step 6 for a day or two, remove the wireless earbuds and fix them back together carefully. Plug the charger and charge the battery of the Bluetooth earbud because it is most likely the battery is completely discharged due to its contact with water from the washer. If you see the battery come up, switch the earbuds on and connect it to your smartphone via Bluetooth. Your amazing wireless Bluetooth headphone should be back on track.

Following these steps is a stage and taking precautions while following this step is another stage that can’t be ignored. There are some things you need to be careful of while trying to restore your wireless earbuds to a good working condition.

Things You Should Not Do When You Accidentally Put Your Wireless Earbuds in the Washer

• Do not operate the Bluetooth headphones immediately–This is one mistake you need to avoid. Most people out of eagerness and anxiety will try to check the device out to see if it is still working or not. Don’t try it! Do you know why? There are electric circuits inside the wireless headphones. When the device is wet and switched on, the circuit will be short and might get the earbuds damaged instantly. 

• Avoid using a microwave or an oven–Do you know that putting an electric device in a microwave might cause an injury to you or destroy your microwave? Trying to expedite the drying time of your wet wireless earbuds by using a microwave is hell wrong way to think of. So don’t try it. Also, putting your wet Bluetooth headphones inside an oven for quick dry can damage your device completely. Remember, the earbuds are made of plastic,and the heat in the oven can melt them. 

• Avoid the use of hair dryers–Do not use a hair dryer because they can harm your earbuds. Hair dryers generate heat which can change the shape of the components in the device and also damage the plastic used in the construction of the wireless headphone. 

• Try as much as possible not to blow the device with your mouth –blowing the wet earbuds with your mouth can be a way of adding more moisture to the device. So, avoid it so as not to complicate the issue. 

• Do not waste time or wait ­–Acting fast when you discover that you have accidentally put your wireless earbuds inside the washer can increase the odds of getting it back to a good working condition. The earlier you act,the better.

How Can You Prevent Your Bluetooth Earbuds From Getting Wet?

To prevent your wireless headphones from getting wet, you have to form a disciplined habit. Do you know what that is?Get a proper safe bag and ensure you store your earbuds in them everytime you are not using them.Avoid putting them here and there. Also, try not to put them inside your pockets when you are not using them.

What If My Wireless Headphone Doesn’t Work?

Let’s assume the worst. Maybe you have already tried all the steps above,and your wireless Bluetooth earbuds are still not functioning properly. There are two possible options, either you get them replaced if they are under warranty or you buy another one if they are not under warranty. Alternatively, you can contact the customer care of the manufacturer of your Bluetooth headset to confirm if they can help with repairs. If you want to buy a new wireless earbud below are some factors you need to consider so that the chance of your device surviving a wet condition will be higher.

• Buy from the best and reputable brand like xFyro
• Purchase the best wireless earbuds with high IP waterproof ratings of IP67 and above

Conclusion

Let’s face it; it is carelessness that leads someone to put their wireless earbuds in the washer accidentally. It rarely happens. But if it does the steps provided above should help you get your amazing investment back to a good working condition. The key to your wireless Bluetooth earbuds having a greater chance of surviving when you accidentally put them in the washing machine is higher IP waterproofing ratings. Of course, you know what it is!