
Yes, I know, that title can be a put off, but this self-deprecating story is about a toilet experience that I want all of you to avoid.
As many of you may know, as one ages one becomes more familiar with public restrooms. It is what it is and has to be acknowledged and accommodated.
So, on a weekday a couple of weeks ago, I headed to Home Depot to pick up some gardening supplies. I was attired in my usual gardening wardrobe – old, loose, comfy jeans. Jean pockets allow me to not have to carry a purse while lifting soil and compost bags.
Again, as a senior, one does a mental check as to whether or not a trip to the restroom would be advisable before lifting. On this particular day, the decision was made to make a stop.
Quick stop in a clean restroom shouldn’t be a problem. However, when the self-flushing toilet kicked in, I glanced over to realize my iPhone 12 was bobbing up and down in the flushing water.
I was quick to grab it, but then stood there in shock not knowing whether to scream or fall down laughing. I dropped my phone in the toilet?
I took the cover off, wiped off the water, and pressed to see if it would wake up. It appeared to be working. I put it back in my pocket to leave and could feel the water coming out of it as it made my pocket wet. Karma?

Rice, I used lots and lots of rice over the next couple of days. At first making a phone call was very scratchy, but eventually that leveled out. My iPhone made it through a waterfall and lived to tell the story.
This Public Service Announcement was provided so that you can make sure your back pockets are phone secure. I would not recommend writing this story for yourself even if you did enjoy a few hearty chuckles along the way. 🙂
At least you could laugh about it.
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Yes, I could because the phone still worked. If it hadn’t worked, now, that would have been an entirely different scenario that would have involved $$$$. 🙂
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OMG! I can’t stop laughing. Sorry, I wondered where this story was going, but my guesses weren’t even close! So you and your now very clean phone survived and you can laugh about it.
Perhaps rather than carrying the phone in your pocket, you should consider a zippered Fanny pack. Just sayin’!
Ginger
The next time I’m talking to someone who is using their cellphone and they sound like they’re talking under water, I will be thinking of you! Hahaha!
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LOL Yes, I have two zippered pockets with rings that I can attach to the belt loops of my jeans. I’ve been using them instead of the pocket. I find it much safer. 🙂 You should definitely think of me when someone sounds like they are under water. 🙂
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LOL! Glad your phone survived — what a shocker! And geez, self-flushing toilets are startling enough without also being a threat to our electronic devices!
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I think that was what caught my attention was when it flushed by itself. I guess that was good or I would have probably walked out. I’m grateful it is working. 🙂
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While I was working, a guy dropped his in the toilet. He’s a germaphobic in the best of times. He put his cell phone in boiling water to kill the germs. He killed more than the germs. I think today’s phones are more water resistant but still, a toilet is not my first “drop” choice.
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I must admit to having a hearty laugh about the boiling water. I used Lysol wipes and thought I was doing well. 🙂 Yes, I actually looked up how to take the back off and dry out the battery and inside, but I found out it was glued and you had to heat up the glue to release it. I decided to leave it alone and see if it would dry out without that step. I hope to report that I never drop it in water again, toilet or sink. 🙂
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I’m sorry to be laughing, Judy (but you started it). I worry sometimes that I’m paranoid about dropping my phone or wallet in the toilet. I guess I will worry less, now. Thanks. I hope the phone continues to clear up.
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I debated about writing about this wonderful experience, but I’ve had several laughs about it and decided maybe you guys would too. Also, it was a lesson learned when those jeans pockets are a little too loose and comfy. I hope your wallet and phone continue to stay safe and sound. 🙂
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I did the same thing, but it was my own toilet. It was still gross, but I pulled it out quickly and called my iPhone Smart Person (my friend Amy). She said to wipe it down and set it aside for a day or so in a warm but not hot spot and it would probably be fine. That was four years ago. The phone was fine, but I’ll not get over the experience…
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Oh, I’m glad I’m not alone in this club. 🙂 I’m also convinced I will never forget the experience either. LOL
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Glad it was an iPhone! My girlfriend dropped her smart phone in the sink and it died!
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I do appreciate Apple’s technology even if I don’t necessarily appreciate the price attached. 🙂
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No, they are pricey, but last forever. I’m still using my iPhone 8 and it’s going strong. I know, I just jinxed myself….
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I had a 7 and loved it.
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Oh no! I held my breath as you led us through this well told Home Depot based disaster story! I, too, am relieved it has a happy ending! (“Relieved”…..see what I did there? Oh, never mind! 🤣)
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Oh, I am so glad I wrote this just so I could enjoy all these chuckles and be ‘relieved’ of the stress associated with the actual experience. LOL 🙂
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Hi – I carry my phone in a pocket too and this almost happened to me – I now hold it in the opposite hand while I hover – ahahah
– but glad your phone survived and the warning here is important –
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We carry these phones with us at all times for some very good reasons. Trying to keep from dropping or leaving it is a challenge. I may have to try this left hand holding routine. 🙂
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Well I have not perfected the situation yet…
And by the way / I have a post on weeds coming up next Monday and wanted to quote you from your post where you mentioned how weeds grow so easily
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That’s fine. I was pulling a few yesterday and staring at several that I really have never seen before and don’t have a clue what they are. I need to see if a fellow MG or Extension can help me.
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Thanks
And weeds sure do travel well
I had hundreds of some type of weed come up in my soil and sigh! They were easy to pull and thankfully I had the bits of time each day.
However – in years past I might not have been ble to get to them and fear if it was back then they might have had their way! Lol
—
Do you have any tips for gettin rid of weeds with harsh chemicals (without using roundup) because that is part of my post.
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I’ve tried commercial vinegar which kills the weed for a while but it also kills the surrounding grass, and the weeds tended to come back. Between you and me, I use a spray weed killer (not Roundup) for weeds that sprout up on mulch, in pathways, or if I’m cutting back invasive vines, I cut back the vine and spray or paint the base of the plant. In general, I just dig or pull in my beds.
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Thanks for sharing that! I saw the mulch with weed killer built in and might check it out more (to make sure it has no glyphosphate….)
And I will check out some
Natural sprays for the walkway
/-
Wishing you a great day
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I might be a total anomaly here, but I’m not laughing at all! I don’t even have a smart phone, but I know how they hold a person’s whole life, and this entire misadventure sounds like an episode from some AARP Twilight Zone: Toilet Tries to Swallow Senior, Phone First! I swear it’s going to happen! Thank you for the warning.
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I LOVE the episode title, and the hearty laugh I enjoyed. That is way too funny. You may want to copyright that so AARP will have to pay you for it. 🙂 What bothered me the most was the potential financial impact. When I bought it, the payments were spread over two years. I’ve still got six months until it is paid for so I was agonizing over having to pay the balance and then buy a new one. I really should have had you read this first and helped me with the post title because I’m still laughing. 🙂
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Now I’m laughing! But not at the expense — boy, I’d be seeing dollar signs swirling in that porcelain for sure. You have some quick reflexes there!
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Been there, done that, only it was a camera, and the camera did not survive, unfortunately. The happy ending was that I sent it in to the manufacturer to see if they could revive it, and they gave me a replacement.
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My heart plummeted when you said camera. Applause to the manufacturer for the replacement. Whew.
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Yes, that was really good of them. Fortunately, the chip with the pictures on it was OK.
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Judy, I’m just glad you were able to grab it in time! We have to laugh when these things happen 😆 good thing technology has advanced enough that the phones can be saved from a dunking.
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OMG. We are rolling in laughter here but glad your phone works! Thanks for starting the week off with a much needed chuckle!
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Good! That is what I was hoping for by sharing – a good laugh out loud moment to start the week. 🙂
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Oh, dear, at least you still have quick reflexes, ha! Glad it passed the immersion test. 😉
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If anyone needs a review to confirm that it can bob for a couple of seconds in the surf and survive, I’m their consumer. 🙂
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SO glad to read that the phone still worked. With my dad being 93, I have too much experience with toilet and related stories and they’re mostly not as humorous as this one (or not humorous at all.)
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When my granddaughter was a child, she loved ‘The Lion King,’ and one of the messages was about the constant ‘Circle of Life.’ As you love and enjoy your grandson, you happily deal with bathroom issues. However, as we circle back around, bathroom issues aren’t near as pleasant as older people have the same issues. It’s challenging on the individuals and their caregivers. Living to an older age is a gift, but it has its downsides because the body is just truly wearing out. Best wishes to you and your Dad.
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I’ve had my phone hit the floor before, so I am careful. Glad you were able to resuscitate the phone!
We were on vacation recently when my hubby went in the pool with his hearing aids in! Wer we able to get some rice from the resort and all turned out okay.
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Mine has hit the floor several times, and I’m always grateful I paid extra for a strong cover. Eileen, you brought up another item that doesn’t like water. My husband has hit the shower with his in before, and they survived too. Thank goodness because they cost a LOT more than phones. As we age and use available technology, it is pretty tricky to keep them all safe. 🙂
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Oh man! I’m chuckling with you. I am careful to remove my phone from my back pocket after having a near miss with the toilet several years ago.
I’m glad the rice worked and you still have a working phone!
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If you don’t think about a potential financial impact, it is pretty darn funny and one can’t help laughing at it. 🙂
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It must be the week for near misses with phones. Malcolm borrowed mine for a quick trip to the grocery store the other day (his was dead) and left it in the cart. Of course, the cart was no longer where he left it, but thankfully some good Samaritan had turned it into the office. Whew… Glad the rice did the trick. Thanks for the chuckle.
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Having a good Samaritan find your phone sure was a wonderful ending to your phone adventure. Here’s to no new phone adventures for either of us. 🙂
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Great story! Thanks for sharing and be able to laugh about your fiasco!
Robyn
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Finding humor in it kept me from worrying about it. 🙂
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Oh no! I know exactly that horrible sinking feeling to see one’s phone bobbing in a toilet. Perhaps I’m a very slow learner, but it had to happen to me several times before I developed the habit of checking my pockets beforehand! Given the abuse my phone routinely gets, I’m actually quite impressed with its durability. Most recently, I dropped my phone at the top of the stairs and it bounced down each and every step. Thankfully it was my phone, and not me 😜
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I feel privileged to belong to a group to which you are also a ‘charter’ member. 🙂 I know it’s not funny, but I was visualizing your phone bouncing down a full flight of steps one at a time. You must have a very good cover and are thankful for it. Yes, much better the phone than you! I researched and paid for a heavy duty cover when I got this iPhone, and I’ve been grateful several times since. Good to hear from you, my friend. I hope you and your guys are enjoying the spring weather on the trails and the water.
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I kind of gulped when I saw the price of really good phone covers, but I’ve since decided they are worth every penny!!
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Joanne you made me laugh out loud. Glad you and your phone are ok. When you coming back to blogging? I miss you.
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thanks Ally for missing me. I keep waiting until I have something to say … and so far, nada.
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NO!!! What a thing to happen. I’m glad you’re smiling about it, but really… this didn’t need to happen to you. What is wrong with this universe, bad things shouldn’t be happening to good people.
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I can laugh about it today because the phone is still working. The day it happened it wasn’t so funny. 🙂
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I love a happy ending! I once did that too and felt like an utter dolt for having it fall in. In my case rice didn’t do the trick, and I had to get a whole new phone (this was pre-smart phone — not sure if that’s a factor or not). A helpful PSA for the rest of us. 🙂 – Marty
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Besides a good chuckle, the PSA is why I wrote it. Everyone carries it in their back pocket, right? I’m sure it was because I had loose jeans on for working, but I still didn’t think about it falling ‘in.’ 🙂
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Oh no, Judy! So glad that your cautionary tale had a happy ending! I will most definitely remember your warning, my friend! Just this morning, I wandered around the house looking for my phone. I knew I would find it eventually… and I finally did. It was in my back pocket the whole time. (It could have easily been a disaster, too!🤦🏼♀️) Wishing you happy days in the garden, Judy!💗
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Thank you for the laugh and please know you are not alone when looking for a phone and finding out you have it on you. 🙂
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I know of one other person who did that…. 🙂
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I wouldn’t wish anyone to be part of this group. 🙂
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Oh dear, at first I thought you were going to tell us about an injury you sustained in the toilet. I’m glad it was the phone, not you. Glad it’s still working – disaster averted.
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I’m certainly glad this toilet story had a happy ending. 🙂
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Oh my goodness dear Judy! Now I will think of you every time I want to put my phone in my back pocket. I may choose not too!
I’m so happy your phone survived!
I read your past posts and am caught up with you. You have been a busy gal!
Happy Spring to you!
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That’s right – beware of a too loose pocket. 🙂
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For some reason, I don’t think you are alone with dropping a cell phone in the toilet. I have attempted this a couple of times, but thankfully it landed on the floor and not in the water. Glad you were able to save it and next time leave your phone in the car!
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Mary, you can be assured I am on alert when using the facilities. LOL I used a public restroom yesterday, and made sure i was guarding that back pocket so if it was going to fall it was going to be on the floor. 🙂
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