Finding something unexpected when you take your clean clothes out of the washer can be a painful and expensive realization.
If you’ve invested money in some really nice wireless earbuds, then you will want to know: can AirPods survive the washing machine?
It is possible for AirPods to still work after going through the washing machine, but they are very likely to have been damaged by the process and can even become completely unusable if they do not dry out fully.
Read on to find out what happens to AirPods if you accidentally put them through the washing machine, and what you should do if you’ve made this all-too-common mistake.
Do AirPods Break If You Put Them In The Washing Machine?
We’ve all done it. You go to get a pair of shorts or pants out of the washing machine and feel something that you’ve left in the pockets, but what if that happens to be your AirPods?
Will they still work after a wash?
You might find that your AirPods can still work after having been through the machine, but it is unlikely that they will be completely unscathed. They are fundamentally not waterproof, and most models aren’t even water-resistant.
If the cycle is short, though, and they do not remain wet for too long, they might not break completely.
What To Do If Your AirPods Have Been In The Washing Machine
In a worst-case scenario, it may already be too late to save them.
Often, though, water damage actually occurs when a device is switched on before it has completely dried out, so how you look after your AirPods after they come out of the machine could be enough to keep them working as normal.
There are a few things that you can do. If you’re lucky, you might even find them working almost like new after a day or so of careful drying.
- Don’t turn them on. Try to keep them as inactive as possible until they are fully dried.
- Clean them with a soft, dry cloth to absorb as much moisture as you can.
- Leave them for at least 12-24 hours and allow them to completely air dry before using them or placing them in the charging case.
- If any moisture remains, you can place them in rice or use silica gel packs to try and draw out any additional water.
These steps can’t undo any damage that may already have occurred but, if they have survived the wash itself unscathed, then this will give them their best chance of survival.
What Happens To AirPods In The Washing Machine?
Water damage is a complicated issue, and it’s almost impossible to predict exactly what will happen to your AirPods in the washing machine.
They might stop working completely, or some fundamental components may become irreparably damaged in the process, like the microphone or Bluetooth connectivity.
At the same time, it’s possible that they fully dry out and no internal components have actually taken any significant damage at all.
Conclusion
So, can AirPods survive the washing machine? The answer is a little complicated. They are certainly not designed to, and they may break completely, but it is actually possible for them to come out relatively unscathed.
If they don’t spend too much time in contact with the water, and the internal components don’t get too wet, then you may be able to save them.
The best chance you can give your AirPods if you do accidentally put them through a wash cycle is to remove as much moisture as possible and make sure they dry out completely before switching them on or putting them into their charging case.