Electronics and water aren't the best of friends. Even if you have water-resistant devices, the idea is to not expose them to water beyond a certain period of time, since it could eventually seep into the device and cause all sorts of problems.
The Galaxy Buds FE, particularly its charging case, isn't classified as a water-resistant device. If you had ever wondered whether devices like these could survive a trip in the washing machine, I can confirm that they can't, after inadvertently chucking my brand new Galaxy Buds FE in the machine today.
Always remember to check your pockets!
Loading up the machine this morning, rather absentmindedly I might add, I forgot to take out the Galaxy Buds FE from the pocket before chucking in a pair of jeans. It only dawned on me what I had done after taking the clothes out of the machine, but by then the damage had quite literally already been done.
As you'd expect, the Galaxy Buds FE haven't survived their little trip in the washing machine. Even though the buds themselves seem to be working for now, the charging case seems to be completely shot, unable to be charge the buds or charge the case itself. I've tried drying them out but to no avail.
Evidently, this isn't a situation that earbuds are supposed to withstand, so you can't dock Samsung any points for this. I'm sure something like this has happened to a lot of people. Hopefully there will be a time when these devices become more durable to withstand such incidents, but for now, I'll just go buy a pair of Galaxy Buds FE.