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When electronics find their way into the washing machine...

cstanton

I do my best to avoid cleaning my electronics hardware and peripherals.

 

Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, somehow wearable electronics manage to find themselves in the washing machine. I wasn't even washing my trousers where I usually keep it, no, this time my Wii Fit U Meter found itself among the towels, and spun around in the machine. It wasn't until it was too late, and I saw its depressed features pushed up against the glass, that I realised it had gone through an exciting event and probably inflated my walking score.

 

I didn't try to power it on. Not able to find my Y screwdriver, the only thing I could do was put it in rice.

The rice got damp very quickly after a day on the window sill in 35 degrees C heat, I replaced it a couple of times, found my Y screwdriver and finally took it apart.

I have some cleaning to do, now, what's the best way to clean this?

 

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I also couldn't help but notice a number of test pads, and some that may even be programming pads.

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  • Hi Christopher,

     

    Just thinking, washing machines should come with BLE detection and cut-off feature : ), since so many wearables etc now have BLE, and might get left in pockets : )

    If there's residues, then isopropanol (or typical lens wipe) is normally good, since it's quite mild and won't damage anything (much/mostly : ).

    Other than that, if it is all definitely completely dry then there's no harm trying to power it up I guess : ) I think it may still work.

  • in reply to shabaz

    Isopropanol and q-tips (thanks ) has been the way to go! It's all cleaned and powered on, it's pretty resilient.

     

    Sadly though, the pressure sensor in it appears to have failed (it uses the barometer to measure height so it knows when you're climbing or using stairs).

     

    I like your idea of BLE detection with a cut off, a detection of electronics left in your pockets - I'm surprised I haven't seen anything that tries to do this already.

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  • in reply to shabaz

    Isopropanol and q-tips (thanks ) has been the way to go! It's all cleaned and powered on, it's pretty resilient.

     

    Sadly though, the pressure sensor in it appears to have failed (it uses the barometer to measure height so it knows when you're climbing or using stairs).

     

    I like your idea of BLE detection with a cut off, a detection of electronics left in your pockets - I'm surprised I haven't seen anything that tries to do this already.

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