In the loo...

[Aino]

.... or water-closet, if you'd like.
Or toilet, that is.

Yes, my phone. My precious smart-phone, an Android HTC Desire, that I have to rely on for organizing my days and my life and my sanity ....

I had it in my backpocket, listening to Daily Digi podcast (recommended!) while cleaning up the kitchen... and then all of a sudden I had pee.
(I have a three and a half year old and that's how we speak.)
But while pulling down my pants, I feel the phone slip into the toilet.... With SUPERMAN speed I grab it and hope it didn't get wet.

I crack everything open and yes, there is undeniable wetness inside and outside the phone.
"Uh-oh" I think and hear my dh's car enter the carport.
I had better come up with a good story FAST .... or try to hide it from him.
Oh course I can't do either. And guiltily I show him the damaged good.

He didn't buy my superman speed description.

The phone was black. Did not want to turn. Then it turned on and little Android robotmen showed up.
Big time Uh-oh.

He finds the hair drier.
I google "wet phone" and shout.... "Don't try to turn on it!!!"

And after a LOT of convincing, he gives in to my advice.... RICE.

I rapidly find some nice Basmati rice, throw it into a small plastic container, dump the phone and covers and SIM into it, close and shake it gently.

DH is shaking his head and probably thinking he is SO gonna win this.

....

Next morning: Android phone wakes up with a grin and has apparently forgotten about it's short encounter with the toilet last night. I sigh happily.


MESSAGE TO YOU ALL:
Don't underestimate the power of Basmati rice when your phone has taken a dive!!!

[dugarner]

Yay! I know several people who have used the rice trick when they've dropped their phones in the water . . . it's usually a toilet, too. I always wondered about people who talked on the phone while on the potty.

Glad it's working! Good save.

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

Sarah's right, Aino. Throw it in a baggie full of rice for a day or two. MANY friends have had this work for them.

[earlofoxford]

What a great story, Aino -- I hope you're doing a page about it right now!

[anxela]

Fab story, fab advice. Hope I never have to use it

...but if I'm not mistaken, this advice was also used for camera/lens. Esther? Was that you? Or Sam (muddygirl)?

[Jen D]

My phone has gone swimming in the potty too... it was also in my back pocket. My new phone NEVER takes a ride in my back pocket for that reason! THis needs to be a layout

[HeatherPrins]

oh i can only imagine how many people that has happened too!!!! glad its working!

[MIDA78466]

Great story with a great ending. So glad it worked out.

[mugsbigsis]

Yep, my husband's phone went to water survival training with him the last time and went for a nice long swim. The extra trick (if you don't want to leave it for a few days) is once it's in the bag of rice, suck out the air with a Seal A Meal. This lowers the air pressure and lets the water evaporate faster and with greater success.

Your title for this thread cracked me up. Who's NOT going to click on it? lol

[Lynn Grieveson]

Oh no! I've done that too, only luckily with a cheaper phone. Straight out the back pocket into the loo. I tossed it. Next time (though hopefully there won't be a next time!) I'll remember the rice!

[Blossom]

my Iphone has been saved by a bag of rice as well - so it really works - it has worked for a year after the accident now - a purse filled with water from a bottle that happened to leak without me noticing it.

[anke]

Great story Aino, I love your story-telling capabilities I am glad about the ending also. Hubby has this cheap flip phone. Has had it for years and loves it. He lost it during the winter last year and it reappeared as the snow melted. Would you believe it worked? I didn't even have to do the rice thing. Quality there, I tell you

[esther_a]

It was me. But I would like to clarify that I did not drop my lens in the loo... just in case anyone was wondering! I did actually leave my camera out in the rain. First I put my camera and lens in a dehydrator - the sort you use for making dried fruit - for an hour or so. Then I sealed the camera and lens in with some "hungry hippo" desiccant granules (in place of using rice). I didn't turn it on after it had been with the hungry hippo for a few days!
Aino, I'm so glad your iPhone worked again. What an absolute nightmare that would have been! Where would the world be without rice?!!

[kikimama]

Teehee, glad it worked. I'd heard about the rice trick, but thankfully haven't had to try it myself, though my mobile is 5 years old, so I'm trying anything to kill it off really lol.

[iUma]

WHAT EXCELLENT advice here. No kidding. So many people have this accident. I remember someone told me once that it is the most common cause of phone failure. I'm gonna tell my son in law who works for Verizon!!

[Ande]

GREAT info to know and loved how you told your story!!! LOL