Does rice actually dry out AirPods?

Not really. Rice is slow and can shed starch and dust into the ports and speaker mesh. Silica gel packets work better, and time works best of all.

Can I speed up drying with a hairdryer?

No. High heat can warp the internal seals and do more harm than the water did. Use cool, moving air only.

WashDog™ · Wash Rescue

You washed your AirPods. Here's what to do right now.

Q: What happens if AirPods get wet in the washer?

Water works into the speaker mesh, the charging pins, and the seams around the case. On its own that's often survivable. It's the detergent residue and the spin-and-heat of a full cycle, plus charging them too soon, that does the real damage.

Q: Can AirPods survive in the washing machine?

It happens more than you'd think, and regular AirPods have no water resistance rating at all, so any survival is luck. AirPods Pro (2nd gen) carry an IPX4 splash rating, which helps a little, but a wash cycle is well beyond what that rating covers.

Q: How long should I wait before testing washed AirPods?

At least 2–3 days, and longer is better. Testing early is the most common way people finish off a set that might have survived.

Deep breath. The next few minutes matter more than anything else you'll do. Here's the honest playbook. What helps, what's a waste of time, and what the repair shops won't tell you.

Do this in the next 60 seconds

Don't put them in your ears, and don't press play. Testing them while they're wet is the fastest way to finish them off. Power is the enemy right now.
Get them out of the case. Open the case, take both buds out, leave the lid open. Water trapped in a closed case just sits against the electronics.
Dry the outside gently. A soft cloth or towel. Don't jam anything into the speaker mesh or the charging port, you'll push water deeper.
Do NOT charge them. Putting a wet AirPod on a charger can short it out for good. This is the single most common way people turn a maybe into a definitely-dead.
Move them somewhere dry with moving air. Room temperature. Not a hairdryer on high, not on a radiator. Heat warps the internal seals.

Now the part nobody selling you something will tell you

Rice is mostly a myth. It's slow, and the starch and dust can work their way into the mesh and ports. If you have the little silica-gel "do not eat" packets, use those instead. They pull moisture far better than a bag of rice.
Time does the real work, not tricks. The biggest factor is leaving them completely alone for 2–3 days minimum before you test them. Most people check too early and kill a set that might have come back.
Water damage isn't covered. Apple's standard warranty doesn't cover liquid damage. AppleCare+ can reduce the fee for a couple of accidents a year, but out of warranty, you're often looking at a paid replacement.
The honest odds: a full wash cycle is about the worst thing that can happen to earbuds. Prolonged water, detergent, heat, and spinning all at once. Some come back. Plenty don't. Anyone promising a guaranteed fix is selling you something.

Which AirPods do you have?

AirPods Pro (1st or 2nd gen)

The ear-tip seal and pressure vents mean water gets trapped inside. Give them extra drying time. Closer to the long end of that 2–3 day window.

AirPods 2nd / 3rd generation

Same rules. The stem can hold water, so point it downward while they dry so gravity helps you out.

If the case went through too

The case often takes the worst of it. It's bigger and holds more water. Leave it open and unplugged for several days before you trust it with your (hopefully surviving) buds.

Save the steps before you need them again

Get the free one-page Wash Rescue Guide. The exact 60-second checklist, plus what to do for phones, hearing aids, and watches. Keep it on your phone for the next time (there's always a next time).

No spam. We'll also let you know when WashDog launches.

Quick answers

Do AirPods work after going through the washer?

Sometimes. It depends on how long they were wet, whether you charged them too soon, and a fair amount of luck. Dry them fully for several days before you decide.

What happens if AirPods get wet in the washer?

Water works into the speaker mesh, charging pins, and case seams. That alone is often survivable — it's the detergent residue and the heat-and-spin of a full cycle, plus charging them too soon, that finishes them off.

Can AirPods survive in the washing machine?

It happens more than you'd think. Regular AirPods have no water resistance rating, so any survival is luck. AirPods Pro (2nd gen) carry an IPX4 splash rating, which helps a little, but a wash cycle goes well beyond what that rating covers.

How long should I wait before testing them?

At least 2–3 days. Longer is better. Testing early is the most common way people finish off a set that might have survived.

Does rice actually work?

Not really. It's slow and can shed starch and dust into the ports. Silica-gel packets are better; time is best of all.

Will Apple cover it?

Liquid damage isn't covered by the standard warranty. AppleCare+ may reduce the fee for accidental damage. Check what coverage you have.

Can I speed it up with a hairdryer?

No. High heat can warp the internal seals and do more damage than the water. Cool, moving air only.

"Won't insurance cover it?" Usually not. The deductible is often more than the item is worth, and even a small claim can raise your rate for years. Here's the honest math on insurance vs. prevention.

Make sure it doesn't happen again

You already check your pockets. Almost everyone does.

It's just that the one time you're rushing, or someone else starts the load. Is the time something valuable goes through. Checking by hand works right up until the moment it doesn't.

WashDog is that check, made automatic. It's a small device that watches your washer and catches tagged valuables, and many devices on their own, before the cycle starts.

Green: you're clear

Red ring + a bark: stop, something's still in there

It won't promise to save everything, nothing honestly can. But it catches the mistake before the water does.

We're launching on Kickstarter. Join the list and we'll send you $10 off at launch, plus the free Rescue Guide.

Save your stuff. Adopt a WashDog.