Corroded batteries: how to prevent this and clean up any leaks
Has your TV or air conditioner remote control suddenly stop working? Perhaps you then opened up the battery compartment to replace the batteries and found a horrific mess: the batteries are covered with a corrosive white or green substance!
Well, this is not a good thing, but it can be fixed. So, let's find out how to do this (and what causes it):
What causes this problem?
Needpix
The first thing is to understand where this corrosive substance comes from. Batteries - especially alkaline ones - have a liquid inside them that makes them work (typically, this is an electrolyte solution made up of a mixture of sulfuric acid and water). Over time, however, a battery can crack and release this liquid mixture. Once the liquid leaks, it reacts with the carbon dioxide present in the air and creates the white/green corrosive film you can see in the battery compartment.
Highly corrosive, this substance should be removed as quickly as possible.
Here's how to remove this corrosive substance in a few steps
To remove the corrosion, proceed as follows:
- First, put on gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself from this corrosive substance;
- Throw away any leaking batteries and/or any batteries that have corrosion on them;
- Clean the contacts inside the device that housed the leaking batteries. For this operation, you will need: cotton swabs, a microfibre cloth, vinegar and lemon and a toothbrush. After removing the batteries, use a cloth soaked in vinegar and lemon and apply this mixture to the corroded surfaces. Allow this mixtue to act for at least 10 minutes, and then begin to remove corrosion. Use a sponge or an old toothbrush to do this. Once finished, check again to ensure you have removed all the corrosion. Use cotton swabs or a toothpick to remove any stubborn residue. Once done, allow the item to dry thorougly before putting new batteries back into it.
Fully functional batteries: how to prevent corrosion?
Creativo
Now you have new batteries in place, how can you avoid this happening again? Well, this is simple:
- Do not use expired batteries (check sell by/best by dates on the packaging);
- If you spot any imperfections on a battery, do not use it;
- Do not leave batteries in a device you use rarely. Take them out when the device is not in use;
- Do not expose batteries to extreme heat or cold.
Following this advice, you shouldn't have to face the inconvenience of leaking batteries ever again.
