Water damage can ruin almost any electronic device. With today's new technology there is not much room in the case for the parts let alone any foreign substances. Water can wreak havoc in an iPhone in a short while if not properly cared for.
This particular article focuses on freshwater liquid submersion. This is purely a voluntary procedure on your behalf and we are not responsible for any damage that may occur due to following this process. It does work and is a tested and proven method but not in every case of water damage as some instances can be more different than others.
Keep in mind that liquids other than freshwater may require additional cleaning to remove any residue left behind from products such as cola, coffee, syrup, etc.
This process works for iPhone 3G and 3GS.
There are 6 Steps to removing the water and for having the greatest success at getting the iPhone to work again.
Step 1. Take your iPhone immediately out of the liquid and make sure it is turned OFF. Dry off the iPhone and shake it out through the headphone jack area and bottom connector. I am talking about a decently powered shaking motion as if you were trying to get Ketchup out of a bottle. This will get all the loose water droplets out of the crevices and away from the board and connectors. The iPhone will not break but do not let it fly out of your hands.
Step 2. Get a zip lock bag of white rice. You may have heard this before. Take the bag and put the iPhone into the bag. Seal the bag.
Step 3. Place the bag on top of something warm, NOT hot, for 24hrs. The top of a computer case will suffice. Even on top of a cable box should do the trick.
Step 4. Take the iPhone out of the zip lock bag and put back on heat source for another 24hrs. Again put it on the desktop case, cable box, or something of the like. You will want to flip the iPhone over onto each side (front glass and back plate) a few times during this 24hr period.
Step 5. Open iTunes on your computer (your iPhone should still be turned off). Step 6. Connect iPhone to computer before turning on iPhone. Most likely the data will be corrupted and the iPhone will need to be restored. Step 7. When the computer recognizes the iPhone in iTunes select "restore". Step 8. After iPhone is restored, you should be able to use it as usual. Step 9. More than likely the screen will have dark spots. This is due to moisture seaping behind the LCD. It can be cleaned, repaired, or replaced if necessary by an iPod or iPhone repair center. Using a third party repair center will help you keep the cost down while providing you with OEM quality parts and repair services.