SD Cards In Washer & Dryer
Jun 23, 2021 11:01:08 #
I have two Stealth cameras in my garden each with a San Disk 256gb SD card. I accidentally left them in my pants pocket & they went through a 53-minute wash cycle with soap & fabric softener (no bleach). Then through a 47-minute cycle in the dryer. I found them on the ledge above the lint screen & right next to the door. Amazingly, I put them in the computer & they seemed okay. I then put them in the cameras & left them overnight. Sure enough, they worked fine, both having video & photos.
Jun 23, 2021 11:02:46 #
martykovacs wrote:
I have two Stealth cameras in my garden each with ... (show quote)
You have Marty the cleanest SD cards.!
Jun 23, 2021 11:08:55 #
No dirty pictures, that's for sure! They are durable, but I believe you had great good luck!
Jun 23, 2021 11:10:12 #
Inconceivable. I would have figured the heat of the dryer would have done some damage if the chemicals of the detergent in the washer hadn't. Lucky you.
Jun 23, 2021 11:43:15 #
Life testing are we? 
I would have imagined they would have still worked as long as the hermetic seal on the IC substrate remained intact.
I would have imagined they would have still worked as long as the hermetic seal on the IC substrate remained intact.
Jun 23, 2021 12:07:40 #
Sidwalkastronomy
Loc: New Jersey Shore
I would use with caution and do not use them on once in a lifetime photos
Jun 23, 2021 12:27:16 #
Yes, they are almost indestructible. Now, film, on the other hand... 
Jun 23, 2021 14:03:07 #
I was hoping someone else had a similar experience & to let everybody know about how they held up. It's not critically important if I lose one or both cards. I check them every day & although it's interesting to see what type of creatures invade the garden, it won't hurt to lose a day's worth of video or photos. I do thank everyone who responded.
Jun 23, 2021 20:01:09 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
martykovacs wrote:
I have two Stealth cameras in my garden each with ... (show quote)
That's great. Now replace them and store them somewhere just in case you ever need them for an absolute emergency. If it were me, I would never purposely use them ever again unless I had no choice.
Jun 23, 2021 20:29:15 #
Most folks just hit the format button when they want to clean an SD card. But, whatever works for you ... 
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Jun 23, 2021 20:37:49 #
martykovacs wrote:
I have two Stealth cameras in my garden each with ... (show quote)
Inside the plastic housing, the chip itself is quite well sealed. It would survive the washing machine quite well. As for heat, commercial products are tested to 85 C and military to 125 C. This is testing at die level and not with the plastic housing.
The weakest link is the plastic housing that the chip is placed into. Water can get into this housing through the little switch to write protect and should be drained out.
Jun 23, 2021 20:42:28 #
JimH123 wrote:
Inside the plastic housing, the chip itself is quite well sealed. It would survive the washing machine quite well. As for heat, commercial products are tested to 85 C and military to 125 C. This is testing at die level and not with the plastic housing.
The weakest link is the plastic housing that the chip is placed into. Water can get into this housing through the little switch to write protect and should be drained out.
The weakest link is the plastic housing that the chip is placed into. Water can get into this housing through the little switch to write protect and should be drained out.
(I wonder if any manufacturers do a burn-in.)
Jun 24, 2021 00:08:21 #
Sidwalkastronomy
Loc: New Jersey Shore
Toss them. Like the poster said water could get in through the lock switch. That water could leak into camera. Long shot yes , but do you want to take that chance
Jun 24, 2021 03:53:15 #
Sidwalkastronomy wrote:
Toss them. Like the poster said water could get in through the lock switch. That water could leak into camera. Long shot yes , but do you want to take that chance
It really doesn't take that long for water to evaporate. Even a soggy wet sponge will be bone dry a week later if left out in the open.
Jun 24, 2021 05:43:54 #
nikonuser750
Loc: Monroe, LA
I think the dryer is what saved them. Had you used them wet, I would expect that you would have fried them. The dryer made sure that the moisture evaporated. I would expect that they are as good as new. I'd have no problem using them.
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