How to clean up after a battery leak

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  • OK, here are the leaky batteries

    OK, here are the leaky batteries

    Yes, these have definitely released the schmoo! My best guess is that they were discharged and then left in that state for quite some time.

    These batteries are in a cheap LED lantern, which is nice enough to save, but I'd probably put more effort into the clean up if this was something more expensive, like a computer mouse or a remote control.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Clean up gear

    Clean up gear

    While the schmoo that comes out of batteries isn't toxic, it's not smart to get it on your skin, in your eyes, or to be breathing it in, so I recommend taking precautions (even if, as you might notice from the photos, I don't!).

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Clean up tools

    Clean up tools

    I find having a brush handy -- a toothbrush that isn't going to be used again on teeth is good -- along with a small scraper, and a few cotton swabs to dip into water. Distilled water is best, but tap water also works.

    Some people recommend acids like vinegar or lemon juice, but I'm not a fan because they encourage corrosion and can make the problem worse.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Fiberglass scratch brush

    Fiberglass scratch brush

    While it's far from a requirement, I use a fiberglass scratch brush for scrubbing the contacts. It works really well!

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Deoxit D5

    Deoxit D5

    Again, not a must-have, but since I come across a lot of exploded batteries, I find it worthwhile to have a can of Deoxit D5 handy. This stuff is the best contact cleaner out there, and does a fantastic job of cleaning really bad corrosion. 

    It's also great for resurrecting circuit boards that have been damaged by water and corrosion.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Dielectric grease or silicone paste

    Dielectric grease or silicone paste

    Another thing that's not required, but following a battery leak clean up I always use a tiny smear of dielectric grease or silicone paste on the contacts to help inhibit any future corrosion. This also helps to limit the damage that a battery leak causes.

    You only need a tiny smear, so don't go wild with it!

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Silicone spray

    Silicone spray

    For electronics that live outdoors, I find that a small spray of silicone into the battery compartment also helps to inhibit corrosion, as well as limiting the damage that a battery leak causes.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • OK, on with the clean up

    OK, on with the clean up

    First, remove the batteries and clean off the worst of the mess using a brush and paper towels. I like to do this outdoors or over something that will catch the mess.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Scrape off the corrosion

    Scrape off the corrosion

    A small metal scraper makes short work of the corrosion. This is how you will remove a good 90 percent of the mess, and if you wanted, you could leave the clean up right here.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • In-depth clean up

    In-depth clean up

    The fiberglass scratch brush does an amazing job of cleaning off the remainder. If the contacts have corroded you'll never get them back to pristine condition because it's likely that the corrosion damaged the plating, but you can still get them very clean.

    The cleaner you get them, the better your chances of inhibiting future corrosion issues.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • A quick spray of Deoxit D5

    A quick spray of Deoxit D5

    A quick spray of Deoxit D5 helps loosen off the last of the corrosion, and helps prevent future rusting.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Add a dab of silicone paste

    Add a dab of silicone paste

    That's too much! I could have gotten away with half of that.

    Just work it over the contacts and the springs. Don't worry, the batteries fit tight enough to move the silicone out of the way to make an electrical contact.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Remember to clean the battery compartment lid

    Remember to clean the battery compartment lid

    Don't forget this bit!

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Preventing corrosion on car battery terminals

    Preventing corrosion on car battery terminals

    I get asked a lot about preventing corrosion on car battery terminals, especially persistent corrosion where it's back a few weeks down the line even after a thorough cleaning.

    For car battery terminals I use an all-in-one terminal cleaner/protector/lube. This one I'm using even changes color from green to red in the presence of acid, which is a handy indicator that something might be wrong with the battery.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • How to prevent batteries from leaking

    How to prevent batteries from leaking

    Here are my top tips for preventing batteries from leaking:

    • Use name-brand batteries, because while they can still leak, it happens less often
    • Don't mix brands, and don't mix old and new batteries
    • Don't leave old or depleted batteries inside devices
    • Don't expose batteries to extremes of heat or cold
    • Batteries have an expiration date, don't exceed it!

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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Leaky batteries are all too common a problem. Here's how to clean up following a leak, and some tips on how to prevent batteries from leaking in the first place.

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OK, here are the leaky batteries

Yes, these have definitely released the schmoo! My best guess is that they were discharged and then left in that state for quite some time.

These batteries are in a cheap LED lantern, which is nice enough to save, but I'd probably put more effort into the clean up if this was something more expensive, like a computer mouse or a remote control.

Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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