Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Washing Wearable Electronics
A common question arises when talking about wearables: “How do you wash that thing?”
It's a common misconception that water inherently damages electronics components. In
fact, it's the power shorting out that can cause damage. Thus, after removing the batteries,
many wearables can go in the wash as usual. Hand washing may also be recommended so
as not to unnecessarily agitate or loosen any connections. Circuits should be allowed to dry
completely before power is reapplied.
Some components, such as microphones, can fill with water, so they shouldn't be sub-
merged (
Figure 9.17
). Stainless steel thread, fiberglass circuit boards with metal traces,
and even EL wire can get wet and work just fine once dry. Silver thread and some circuit
board metals can oxidize over time. Manufacturers often choose slim PCBs with gold-
plated contacts for wearables circuit boards for this reason.