What do you clean battery corrosion with

Q: Does vinegar clean battery corrosion?

For that reason, its wise to clean a battery leak with a mild household acid like vinegar or lemon juice. Both liquids work to neutralize the alkaline discharge. Place a drop of vinegar or lemon juice onto the corroded area, then wait a minute or two for the neutralizing effect to take place.

Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40 years' experience; writing for over 20 years.

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Updated on 07/25/22

Reviewed by

Melissa Homer

Reviewed by Melissa Homer

Melissa Homer is a member of The Spruce's Cleaning Review board. She is a trained cleaning professional, consultant, and educator with a two-decade career spanning commercial and professional residential cleaning. Melissa specializes in premium surface care, cleaning safety, cleaning procedure efficiency, cleaning training documentation, and cleaning damage repair.

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Fact checked by

Sarah Scott

Fact checked by Sarah Scott

Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design.

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In This Article

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How Often to Clean Battery Corrosion
Before You Begin
How to Clean Alkaline Battery Corrosion
How to Clean Nickel Cadmium Battery Corrosion
How to Clean Lithium Battery Corrosion
Tips to Prevent Battery Corrosion

Project Overview

Working Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 10 mins

Skill Level: Beginner

Little is more frustrating than grabbing a battery-powered tool, flashlight, or kid's toy and finding that it doesn't work except opening up the battery case to find a corroded mess. That corrosion must be cleaned away from the contact posts to give the item any chance of working again even with fresh batteries.

If the problem is caught early, with just a few items from your pantry, there is hope that you can clean away the corrosion and get things powered back up.

How Often to Clean Battery Corrosion

Battery corrosion should be cleaned as soon as you notice that the batteries are leaking in the battery case. We tend to use a battery operated item until the battery konks out, and it doesn't work anymore. You should periodically check the battery case and battery in these types of items to ensure there is no issue with leakage or corrosion.

Before You Begin

While this is a project that doesn't take long to complete, it is imperative that you protect your skin and eyes from any substances and wear gloves and eyewear protection. Prepare a surface with newspaper, disposable cloths, or paper towels to place the battery on after removing it from the battery compartment.

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Warning

Chemicals such as sulfuric acid that are exposed during battery leakage are caustic and corrosive and can damage eyes and burn skin. Protective eyewear and gloves should be worn when handling leaking batteries or attempting to remove corrosion from battery compartments.

Do not attempt to clean leaking batteries. They should be removed from the device, placed in a plastic bag, and disposed of properly following waste guidelines in your community.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Old toothbrush or small bottle brush
Small bowl
Pencil eraser
Safety glasses
Nitrile or latex gloves
Paper towels
Newspaper or disposable cloths
Cotton swabs

Materials

Distilled white vinegar
Fresh lemon juice
Baking soda

Instructions

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How to Clean Alkaline Battery Corrosion

Alkaline batteries—AAA, AA, C, D—are the most commonly used non-rechargeable batteries in toys, household gadgets, and flashlights.

Tip

Before removing the corroded batteries or attempting to clean the device, always put on safety glasses and gloves. Protect work surfaces with newspaper or disposable cloths and work in a well-ventilated space.

Remove the Batteries
Wearing gloves, remove the batteries from the device. Do not attempt to clean the batteries and dispose of all of the batteries and even those that don't look corroded. Since batteries can cause soil contamination, place them in a plastic bag and dispose of them following the waste guidelines in your community.
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Neutralize the Battery Corrosion
Pour about one tablespoon of distilled white vinegar or fresh lemon juice in a small bowl. Dip a cotton swab or old toothbrush into the solution and saturate the corroded areas of the battery case.
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Scrub Away the Corrosion
Depending on the level of corrosion, use a cotton swab or small brush to scrub away corrosion residue from the corners and contact points in the battery case.
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Dry the Battery Case
Use a paper towel to thoroughly dry the battery case and contact points.
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Polish the Contact Points
If any corrosion remains on the battery contact points of the device, mix a tablespoon of baking soda and a few drops of water, lemon juice or vinegar in a small bowl. Dip a cotton swab in the mixture and rub the contact points. Move to a new cotton tip as any rusty residue is transferred. When no more residue is transferred, carefully wipe the contact points with a clean cloth to remove any traces of the baking soda.
The contact points can also be polished with a pencil eraser to remove traces of corrosion residue.
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Insert New Batteries
Once you are certain that the battery case is completely dry, insert new batteries. Do not mix old and new batteries.

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How to Clean Nickel Cadmium Battery Corrosion

Nickel Cadmium (NiCad or Ni-Cd) batteries like those from EBL are rechargeable. While less prone to leakage than alkaline batteries, they are more corrosive and the clean-up is handled differently.

Remove and Dispose of Batteries
Remove the batteries and dispose of them following waste guidelines in your community. Do not attempt to recharge batteries that have leaked.
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Clean the Battery Case and Contact Terminals
Sprinkle the inside of the battery case with dry baking soda to neutralize the potassium hydroxide in the corrosion. Empty the powder into a trash can for disposal.
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Make a Baking Soda Paste
To remove any remaining corrosion on the battery contact points of the device, mix a tablespoon of baking soda and a few drops of water, lemon juice or vinegar in a small bowl. Dip a cotton swab in the mixture and rub the contact points. When no more residue is transferred, carefully dry the contact points with a paper towel.
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Insert New Batteries
Insert new batteries into the device and charge, if necessary.
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How to Clean Lithium Battery Corrosion

It is very unusual for lithium batteries used in cell phones and laptop computers to leak. But when it happens, it is very dangerous and highly combustible. Do not attempt to clean lithium battery corrosion. Consult a hazardous waste professional for the proper disposal of lithium batteries.

Tips to Prevent Battery Corrosion

Store batteries in a cool, dry place.
Do not attempt to use expired batteries, and do not mix old and new batteries in devices.
Remove batteries from devices that will not be used regularly.
For items you know you use rarely, take the battery out and tape it to the outside of the device with painter's tape. If a battery is not in the device, it is not being constantly strained, and it will be easy to pop it back in when need be.

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Article Sources

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Is baking soda or vinegar better for battery corrosion?

There are quite a few alternatives to baking soda when battling a corroded battery and we'll mention some other big ones below. But vinegar is our preferred choice for this particular task as it's easy and safe to use while also being very effective.

What liquid cleans battery corrosion?

White vinegar or lemon juice: Most household batteries contain bases, so acids will neutralize their discharge. Rubbing alcohol: Isopropyl alcohol is a safe and effective way to clean electronics without leaving behind moisture and other residue.

Can I use rubbing alcohol to clean battery corrosion?

Isopropyl alcohol is the best remedy for cleaning the corrosion of batteries. You should apply isopropyl alcohol on electronics because it is very safe to use. once you have applied, you need to rub it with a soft tissue or cloth.

Does vinegar clean battery corrosion?

For that reason, it's wise to clean a battery leak with a mild household acid like vinegar or lemon juice. Both liquids work to neutralize the alkaline discharge. Place a drop of vinegar or lemon juice onto the corroded area, then wait a minute or two for the neutralizing effect to take place.

clean battery corrosion