Credits: Social Media
Don’t toss out silica gel packets as they can help recover your soaking-wet phone�
The first thing we do after opening a bag of snacks or long-stored items is throw away the free silica gel packets placed inside. You should start collecting them instead.
Watching your phone drown can be painful. But do not try to recover your wet iPhone by putting it in uncooked rice as it’s believed to cause further damage. A content creator recommends a safer and cost-free technique.
How silica gel packets work
Silica gel is a non-toxic drying agent used for different purposes. You can find them in snack packets or in the bags for new gadgets. It’s supposed to stop moisture from forming within a certain area and avoid any unpleasant odor.
Even though they are packed with some food items, ensure your baby or pet doesn’t accidentally eat them as they can be a choking hazard. Healthline notes that silica gel is chemically inert:
“This means it wont break down in the body and cause poisoning. However, because it wont break down, the gel or packet and gel can cause choking.”
Most packing has clear instructions advising against eating it and throwing it away after use. However, these are reusable and highly useful as long as they are stored safely.
Use it to recover your phone
The video on the TikTok channel Sustainability Matters recommends reusing the silica gel packets in your camera bag, a box storing valuables like your passport, and documents, or adding it into jars with rice and grains if they are “food safe.”.
They are “great for smelly shoes and gym bags”, says the TikToker, before adding that they can be used in cabinets and bathrooms, too, to “avoid mold.”
If you’re stuck with a soaking-wet phone and don’t know what to do, tech experts’ advice is to turn the power down and tap it gently until all the water drips out.
Place it in a container and ensure silica gel packets surround it. Wait for 24 to 48 hours before you turn your phone on again, as WIRED suggests. If the method doesn’t work, perhaps you should check at the phone service center for any other damages.
