I found my lost USB... on some pants that I put in the washing machine.

[Ube]

Nothing important was on it. But I'd like to keep using it if possible. Is it safe to connect it to my PC and check if it still works? The USB is completely dry.

[JKRsega]

2 minutes ago, Ube said:

Nothing important was on it. But I'd like to keep using it if possible. Is it safe to connect it to my PC and check if it still works? The USB is completely dry.

You can try.  I'd have done the old "Put it in rice" method first, to make sure it's been sucked dry of any water.

[emosun]

so long at it's dry on the inside and not corroded at all , then it should be fine. plug it into a crappier machine if you have any doubts

[TetraSky]

11 minutes ago, JKRsega said:

You can try.  I'd have done the old "Put it in rice" method first, to make sure it's been sucked dry of any water.

the rice thing should never be done with closed off devices. Especially with devices that are in a closed shell like phones and USB. Open it up, remove excess water, let it dry. Simply dunking it in rice won't affect closed off device and just give the water more time to corrode it.
If anything, you're better off dunking it in more water (distilled) and shaking it off+ waiting a few days. At least that way there won't be minerals deposits on the traces to cause corrosion(distilled water is also almost non conductive).

[JKRsega]

4 minutes ago, TetraSky said:

the rice thing should never be done with closed off devices. Especially with devices that are in a closed shell like phones and USB. Open it up, remove excess water, let it dry. Simply dunking it in rice won't affect closed off device and just give the water more time to corrode it.
If anything, you're better off dunking it in more water (distilled) and shaking it off+ waiting a few days. At least that way there won't be minerals deposits on the traces to cause corrosion(distilled water is also almost non conductive).

I shall remember that for the future.  Thank you.

[IkeaGnome]

20 minutes ago, TetraSky said:

If anything, you're better off dunking it in more water (distilled) and shaking it off+ waiting a few days. At least that way there won't be minerals deposits on the traces to cause corrosion(distilled water is also almost non conductive).

Having gone through a washing machine with soap, I'd be inclined to do this. Soap can have some metals in it depending on which detergent you're using. 

 

32 minutes ago, Ube said:

Nothing important was on it. But I'd like to keep using it if possible. Is it safe to connect it to my PC and check if it still works? The USB is completely dry.

I'd open it, clean it with IPA and let it dry. Higher percentage of IPA to water the better.

[wanderingfool2]

Yea if it's possible to pop open the shell, and clean out the insides with some distilled water or iso.  Water has a tendency to just condensate inside otherwise, and eventually ruin the device.

 

Would try plugging into an old pc if possible, just to make sure there isn't a short somewhere as well.

 

The rice trick can work a bit if you can't open it...but you need to keep it in the rice for realistically a really long time.  Might even be worthwhile dunking it in iso initially to try getting a bit of the water "dissolved" into the water...as iso will evaporate easier.

[Pickles von Brine]

If you can crack it open check for corrosion. Clean up with some IP and plug it into a a machine. USB on systems is rather resilent and also had a lot of protections on it. It will either work or not. 

[Needfuldoer]

Clean the board with isopropyl alcohol (which displaces water), blow it off with a duster can or air compressor, and leave it somewhere warm to dry for a couple days. 

[NineEyeRon]

I regularly wash my cheap wired headphones in the washing machine, really prevents that wax buildup