Battery corrosion can lead to unsightly deposits of chemical elements on electronics and other devices. But what's especially concerning about this is the risk it can pose to your skin and eyes. If you've noticed that one of the batteries in your office devices has corroded, you're going to need to know how to clean battery corrosion effectively .
Whether your car battery terminals are covered in corrosion or your alkaline cells have left a rust-like substance on your household products, there are steps and products that will make the whole cleaning process easier. Ready to get rid of that battery corrosion? Have a look at the tips we've listed and the handy products to ensure you can remove battery corrosion for good !
3 Tips for Effectively Removing Battery Corrosion
So what's the easiest way to remove battery corrosion or clean corroded batteries? Well, there are three tips you might want to consider to make the process simpler. Let's take a close look at the best approaches for removing battery corrosion.
Take Care when Removing the Batteries
Taking care when removing the batteries is key as any corrosive substances can irritate your skin or damage your eyes. For this reason, it's important to wear nitrile gloves when you remove the batteries and always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in this situation. Following this process, you can begin to clean battery terminals using the products and tips below.
Neutralize the Leakage for Alkaline Batteries with Acidic Substances
Neutralizing the leakage carefully when there is alkaline battery corrosion is an important step which you can complete with mild acid substances. For instance, you can dab the device or battery compartment with a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar.
Neutralize the Leakage for Acid Batteries with Alkaline Substances
If you have acid-based batteries, these are going to require alkaline substances to neutralize the battery acid substance within them. This is an important step, which you can complete by using baking soda. Sprinkle some of this solution over the corrosion and then use a brush with a few drops of lemon juice to scrub the corrosion away.
5 Products to Help in the Process of Cleaning Battery Corrosion
There are several products that can help you remove the chemical substances from corroded batteries. These are mostly cleaning products and PPE, which belong to a market that will grow at a CAGR of 4.1% from 2021 to 2030 as stated by Allied Market Research . They're products frequently used in the U.S., but which ones are you going to need? Here are the five products that will help clean battery corrosion.
#1 WD40 Spray
Your battery corrosion cleaning process requires you to loosen the rust before you begin to scrub it away. A few options are available for the rust loosening process, and one of the ideal solutions is to use WD40 Smart Straw Spray Lubricant. This is a multipurpose lubricant and, as indicated by the name, it features a smart straw® design that makes it easier to apply the substance to the corrosion.
If there is substantial corrosion, you can use the WD40 spray function as opposed to the precision stream once you've removed the battery. Manufacturers designed the straw for this dual-use purpose so you can clean battery corrosion accordingly. WD40 can also prevent corrosion, so you can make the most of this solution's multipurpose feature, remove the corrosion, and prevent it from happening again.
#2 Utility Maintenance Brush
Since you're going to need to scrub away the corrosion the battery has left behind, you'll need a toothbrush-style brush with strong bristles. Solutions with bristles such as these can penetrate the corrosion and leave the device clean when used with specific substances. We suggest using the Carlisle Flo-Pac Utility Maintenance Brush for this, which manufacturers designed to clean small parts and tight areas.
This solution has nylon bristles, which are robust enough to clean the corrosion where the battery contacts the battery compartment of electronics and other devices. It has a durable plastic handle that fits comfortably in the hand, so you can maneuver the brush and angle it to remove corrosion quickly.
#3 Nitrile Gloves
When cleaning battery corrosion, it's essential to protect your skin. Touching the corrosive substance can lead to skin irritation, so you'll require protective gloves to ensure none of the acid or alkaline contacts your skin. Nitrile gloves are ideal for this, and the Gloveworks by AMMEX Blue Nitrile Exam Gloves are one example of a solution that's thick and highly resistant to contaminants.
Manufacturers designed these gloves for heavy-duty jobs. They offer double the thickness of standard nitrile gloves and have an extended cuff to keep your hands and forearms fully protected. Ensure you put these gloves on before you remove the corroded batteries and begin the corrosion-cleaning process.
#4 Eye Protection
Eyes need to be protected from any alkaline or acidic substances that are found in most household batteries or car batteries. So before you get to work, make sure you cover your eyes with the right eye protection; this will ensure no substances flick from the brush bristles into your eyes. One of the best eye protection or PPE solutions for this is the MCR-Safety Checklite Safety Glasses .
These safety glasses have a flexible temple design and fit comfortably on the face. But the most important feature is the lens, which blocks any harmful substances from entering your eyes. Since the lenses are clear, they also ensure your visibility remains unobstructed when you complete the cleaning process.
#5 Cotton Swab Products
When you're cleaning a small battery compartment, sometimes a smaller product is important for cleaning between the crevices. Q-Tip Cotton Swabs are our recommended solution for this. Though they are often used in the beauty industry, these cotton swabs are versatile.
Manufacturers designed these Q-tip solutions with cleaning in mind and since they fit into smaller spaces, they work well for electronics. So if the level of corrosion is low, a cotton swab like this is ideal for scrubbing away the residue from the corners of the battery case. You'll then need to dry the device as well as the contact points.
Clean Battery Corrosion with Products from BuyDirect
Cleaning battery corrosion doesn't need to be a challenging task. Remember that you'll need to protect your skin and eyes before you begin the cleaning process, and you'll need the right products to clean battery corrosion effectively.
If you're looking for any of these products, you'll find them at BuyDirect. Browse our range of janitorial and sanitation products, place your order, and begin cleaning battery corrosion to leave your products corrosion-free.
FAQs
Looking for more details on battery corrosion cleaning processes and products? Check these FAQs.
Does Vinegar Clean Battery Corrosion?
Certainly. You'll be able to use vinegar to clean battery corrosion. Just apply some drops of vinegar to the area that has corrosion on it. You can then use a Q-tip to scrub the discharge after it begins to disintegrate. Vinegar or lemon juice can be effective for this.
How to Clean Nickel Cadmium Battery Corrosion?
This requires a different process. You'll need to remove the batteries after putting gloves on and then dispose of the batteries by following your community's waste guidelines. You can then use dry baking soda to neutralize the chemicals — particularly, the potassium hydroxide. Add a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar and wipe the contact points with a Q-tip.
What Kinds of Gloves Are Acid Resistant?
This includes chemical-resistant gloves that are made of rubber. Some examples include nitrile and viton, neoprene or butyl. Others include gloves made of plastic materials. These include gloves that feature polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene substances.