Do you have electronic devices with replaceable batteries at home? If yes, you must have noticed that sometimes, batteries tend to corrode inside its chamber or on the terminals, leaving an extremely unpleasant smell and potentially damaging your electronic devices.
Worry not. Removing battery corrosion is not very difficult. Careful protection for items such as flashlights, remote control, wireless mouse, toys, etc., can be useful because corrosion will damage the internal electronic parts inside the components.
Reasons And Signs Of Corrosion
The most common culprit behind corrosion is battery expiration. Over time, batteries develop a white and crusty substance on the surface, which is a result of battery acid pouring onto the circuit board within the device. The battery acid is meant to preserve electricity inside the battery but can leak when the chamber is damaged. 
Moreover, temperature also contributes to battery corrosion. Sudden temperature changes can expand or retract the battery compartment, leading to cracks in the battery cover. Sulfuric acid may flow out of the chamber and further broaden the gaps in the surface.
Such chemical reactions are extremely toxic. Therefore, you should prepare proper gear before the cleaning process.
Preparation
Get the following protective gear:
- Safety goggles: Eye protection is the most important.
- Latex gloves: Protect your hands from corrosion.
- Linen cloth: To wipe the corrosion.
- Cotton swabs: Reach deeper into the device.
- Baking soda (or alcohol): Cleaning solution.
- Vinegar (or lemon juice): To wash the toxic surface.
- Plastic bag.
The cleaning process should only take approximately 10 minutes. Follow these simple steps!
How To Clean Corroded Battery Terminals
Step 1: Wipe Off The Discharge
First off, put on your latex gloves and safety goggles. Remove the batteries from your electronic device and throw them into the plastic bag. If possible, take off the device case for easier cleaning.
Coat the cotton swab with lemon juice or vinegar and apply it to the corroded area on your battery. The thin layer should dissolve within a couple of seconds. Wipe gently to get rid of the residue.
Depending on the device’s size, you can use a larger cloth and more cleaning solutions. For example, car batteries are exceptionally large, unlike small electronic devices, so you will need to apply more pressure to wipe them off.
Step 2: Apply Baking Soda Or Alcohol
Once the first layer is wiped off, you should use harder solutions like baking soda to clean tougher sections. Apply a small amount onto the heavily affected areas and rub off all remaining traces of corrosion. After wiping, use a clean swab to clear the solution.
Step 3: Let It Dry
Let your battery dry for a few minutes before reassembling it. Feel free to use a dryer or dry paper towel to speed up the process. After that, insert the like-new battery, and your device will work properly as usual.
Step 4: Disposal
Suppose your battery is too old that cleaning doesn’t help. Let it go to waste.
Batteries are extremely toxic after expiration, so don’t throw them directly into the regular trash bin. Improper battery disposal can spread the contamination to your living quarters, resulting in serious eye and skin irritation.
Some local waste treatment facilities have a special division for old batteries; you should consult them before disposing of them.
How To Prevent Battery Corrosion
Leaking batteries mostly happen when the battery is expired, so you should avoid using old batteries and don’t mix old and new batteries in the same place. If your gadget needs more than one battery, it is best to replace all whenever one of them shows signs of damage or drainage.
Another factor contributing to this problem is the environment. Remember to keep your batteries in dry places and away from heat. Avoid placing electronics in direct sunlight or hot areas in order to keep your batteries from melting.
Conclusion
We hope you have learned the way to get rid of battery corrosion with this article. Don’t hesitate to share it with your friends and family so they will also know how to do it properly.
See more: Sulfated Mean On A Battery Charger
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