When exposed to moisture or heat, even the best batteries can rust, corrode and leak chemicals. But don't worry - any of you can clean a leaking battery! This is lightning fast.
You've probably had the unpleasant experience of opening the battery compartment of a device with replaceable batteries, such as a remote control, a flashlight, a wireless mouse, an electric pepper mill, or a child's toy, and finding a whitish, crusty mass. Find out below what you can do in this situation!
Are leaking batteries harmful?
Battery acid leaks are very corrosive – they can cause severe burns, soil contamination and the destruction of any electronic devices it comes into contact with. This acid is actually alkaline due to its chemical composition of potassium hydroxide. Sulfuric acid is the harmful residue left behind by lead-acid batteries.
Discharge from batteries is not only corrosive but also very annoying. It can cause irreparable damage if it comes into contact with your skin or eyes. Wearing safety glasses and gloves made of cloth or synthetic rubber can help prevent dried battery discharge from getting into your eyes and onto your hands when cleaning. Wearing long sleeves is a good idea as an extra safety measure. Leaked batteries are corrosive and should not be touched to avoid chemical burns. Prepare protective equipment before attempting to clean a device that has a battery leak.
Clean a leaking battery with household remedies – vinegar and rubbing alcohol
These materials and home remedies are needed to clean oxidized contacts:
- Lemon juice or white vinegar
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton swab, eraser or microfiber cloth
- Plastic bag
- Compressed air spray
After turning off the device, dab some vinegar or lemon juice on the damaged area with a cotton swab. The discharge should begin to bubble and clear from its white, crusty state.
Note the following:Removing corrosion from car batteries requires a special tool. Before you do this yourself, you should consult a professional because these batteries are much larger and more difficult to work with.
Then rub in some rubbing alcohol: the cleaning power of isopropyl alcohol is twice as strong. Without leaving any moisture behind, it dissolves the residue of other cleaning products (in this example, lemon juice or white vinegar) that could gum up your devices. Rubbing alcohol is quick-drying, effective and safe. Make sure the rubbing alcohol or antiseptic wipes you use contain the purest type of isopropyl alcohol you can find on the label. Some alcohol wipes often contain only 70% isopropyl alcohol, which is enough for external cleaning of plastic or metal, but the isopropyl alcohol with a purity of 90% to 99% is more effective.
When you're done cleaning, wipe the area with a microfiber cloth. Smaller areas can be polished with an eraser made from a pencil. To remove any remaining cotton fibers after using cotton swabs, the last step you should use is a compressed air sprayfor cleaningof electronics.
Before changing the battery and turning on the device, make sure it is completely dry, especially the internal components such as the battery compartment.
Clean battery contacts with vinegar and baking soda
What you need:
- Cotton swabs or a used toothbrush
- Citric acid or vinegar
- baking powder
Remove the batteries using gloves and dispose of them properly. After the batteries have been removed, the device must be cleaned of rust. Put some vinegar or lemon juice on a cotton swab or toothbrush and use it to clean the area. The rust on the device is dissolved by the acid it contains. Remove as much corrosion as possible by scrubbing with the cotton swab or toothbrush.
Baking soda with a very small amount of water can remove the remaining residue. Repeat the scrubbing process with a cotton swab or old toothbrush. Use a damp cotton swab to remove any remaining baking soda (or other contaminants). Please wait until the device is completely dry before replacing the batteries.
Dispose of batteries correctly
The chemicals contained in traditional home batteries pose a threat to groundwater and ecosystems when disposed of in landfills. That's why you should dispose of batteries correctly - you can find collection points in supermarkets, gas stations, drugstores, etc.
When recycling corroded batteries, you should separate them from clean batteries by placing them in a plastic bag or other container.
Avoid leaking batteries
- Keep your batteries away from sources of intense heat or cold. Batteries will not last longer if stored in the refrigerator. The life expectancy of the batteries will decrease and they may leak if you do this.
- When using batteries, make sure they are compatible with the device. Also make sure it is the same brand if you need multiple batteries.
- Use an eraser to mark the device's connectors and the surface of the new batteryto cleanbefore you use them. This ensures the best possible quality of interaction.
- The batteries should be removed before storing the device for a long period of time. This will prevent the electrical devices from being damaged if the batteries leak.
You can still use a device with leaking batteries - but it's important that you know how to clean it! Now you are already informed.
