TL;DR: Power off, unplug, don’t heat it, and don’t “rice” it. Get a same-day diagnostic so we can clean the board and connectors before corrosion sets in. If data matters, ask about safe imaging first.

Why the first hours matter (and why “it still works” is risky)

Liquid creeps under key components and connectors. Even when a spill dries, residues (sugar/salts) keep absorbing moisture, causing:

Shorts when you power on or charge
Galvanic corrosion under chips and keyboard membranes
Stuck keys / trackpad faults from swelling or residue
Intermittent “ghost” problems that show up days later

Every extra power cycle pushes current through wet areas and can turn a recoverable clean-up into a dead board. That’s why we recommend power off and no charging until a bench inspection.

What not to do (seriously—skip these)

Don’t keep turning it on “to check.”
Don’t charge it “to dry it out.” Charging accelerates corrosion.
Don’t put it in rice / an oven / on a heater / in the sun. Heat warps plastics and drives residue deeper.
Don’t shake it. You’ll drive liquid under keyboard layers and into speakers.
Don’t pry it open unless you know the model—tearing a battery cable can spark or puncture a swollen cell.

The safer at-home routine (until you can get to us)

Immediate power-down. Hold the power button if necessary; unplug the charger.
Remove external bits. USB drives, dongles, cards and cases. If your model has an easy removable battery, remove it.
Blot, then drain. With the screen open, place the laptop in a tent (upside-down “V”) on a towel. Let gravity work.
Air, not heat. Use room airflow (a fan across the desk helps). No hairdryers or heaters.
Book a diagnostic. The goal is internal cleaning before corrosion starts.
→ Book a diagnostic

If you absolutely must recover a file before you can visit, do not log in and sync (you’ll write to the wet drive). Ask us about data-first imaging.

What we do on the bench (and why it helps)

Intake & triage. We identify the liquid type (sugary/salty = urgent), check for shorts, and assess battery and power rails.
Disassembly & cleaning. We remove the board, keyboard/top-case and connectors; clean with appropriate solvents and controlled drying.
Keyboard/trackpad assessment. Membrane keyboards trap liquids—sometimes they recover; sometimes they need replacement.
Data-first approach. If the laptop won’t boot or storage seems unstable, we prioritise a forensic-friendly image of the drive before testing/repairs.
Reassembly & verification. We test power, thermals, keys, trackpad, display backlight and ports.

Start here → Book a diagnostic
If files are critical → Data recovery assessment
Need help checking in? → Contact us

Expectation setting (success odds, cost & timeline)

Same-day/next-day: intake, cleaning, and power/keyboard tests for most spills.
Costs depend on severity and parts: light spills may only need cleaning; heavy spills often need a keyboard/top-case or board replacement. We’ll quote before ordering parts.
Success rates vary by liquid and delay. Clean water caught early fares best; sugary/acidic liquids degrade connectors quickly.
Data-first adds safety: if we image your drive before testing, your files are protected even if a board fails later.

Myths vs reality

“It booted after rice; I’m fine.” Hidden residue can corrode for weeks—back up and book a clean.
“Alcohol everywhere fixes it.” Wrong solvent/type can damage coatings and draw residue under BGA chips—bench cleaning is controlled for a reason.
“I’ll just keep charging.” That’s how boards get hot spots and permanent shorts.

When to bring it in immediately

Sugary/salty liquids (coffee, soda, juice, sea water).
Charging failure, burning smell, or visible corrosion.
No boot, random shutdowns, dead keys/trackpad after a spill.
Laptop was on when it got wet and you couldn’t power it down quickly.

Bring the charger and tell us what spilled and when. This speeds the correct cleaning process.

Paperwork & privacy

You’ll receive a written diagnostic outcome and quote. If we handle your storage for backup or recovery, we follow POPIA-aligned practices: limited technician access and secure handling.

Need a fast check-in? Mention “liquid damage” on the form and the time of spill.
Prefer to chat first? Call 066 425 6314 or Contact us.

Water-spill on your laptop in Stellenbosch? First 24-hour rescue guide (what NOT to do)