USB sticks in washing machine; to use or not to use ?

[kiddingguy]

I came to realize that I accidentaly has 2 Sandisk USB sticks (128 GB) in my pocket. And put them in the washing machine. I think the machine ran like 2 months with different washes with these USB sticks in it..

There's still data on the disks, I can be accessed via a computer. However, since water and electronics don't go well together...  is it wise to use them still? Or better throw them away?

I think it's best not to use them anymore, but just wanna hear your opinions.

[neufuse Veteran]

On 06/04/2026 at 08:07, kiddingguy said:

I came to realize that I accidentaly has 2 Sandisk USB sticks (128 GB) in my pocket. And put them in the washing machine. I think the machine ran like 2 months with different washes with these USB sticks in it..

There's still data on the disks, I can be accessed via a computer. However, since water and electronics don't go well together...  is it wise to use them still? Or better throw them away?

I think it's best not to use them anymore, but just wanna hear your opinions.

"Water an electronics don't go well"..... when powered up that is, they wash boards all the time with water during mfg, I'd be more worried about the detergents and making sure they are 100% dry before powering up

[Mindovermaster Global Moderator]

Just make sure it is 100% dry, and all the detergent is gone from it. I believe isopropyl alcohol can get the detergent off.

[Nick H. Supervisor]

From the sounds of things you've already plugged them in to check and they work.

If it was me, I would probably plug them in one more time and move the data. Then I would only use them for non-essential stuff, maybe a live USB. I wouldn't consider them reliable for storing data that you consider to be important.

That said, you mentioned that they were there for 2 months before you found them, so I guess there wasn't essential data there to begin with? Otherwise you would have found them earlier.  

[kiddingguy]

On 06/04/2026 at 17:49, Nick H. said:

From the sounds of things you've already plugged them in to check and they work.

If it was me, I would probably plug them in one more time and move the data. Then I would only use them for non-essential stuff, maybe a live USB. I wouldn't consider them reliable for storing data that you consider to be important.

That said, you mentioned that they were there for 2 months before you found them, so I guess there wasn't essential data there to begin with? Otherwise you would have found them earlier.  

No, just some ISO's of Windows 11 and other non essential data.
Glad I found them back, so I'm not really that "forgetful" and "crazy" 

[SfIsHeR1701]

I bet any dirty pictures that may have been on there are gone... (lol sorry)

[Jake2530]

If you keep using them, just stick to stuff that isn’t important and always keep a backup.
From what I know, the flash memory chips where your data is stored are pretty well sealed and not too sensitive to water but corrosion can build up over time and at some point they might just stop working.