Battery residues and fluid leaks can cause serious damage and therefore need to be cleaned with great care. First you need to identify the type of battery in order to avoid possible risks of chemical reactions that could be very dangerous. If the battery was damaged while it was inserted in a device, you may need to clean or replace the electrical contacts.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Identify the battery type
Step 1. Protect your hands and face
Leaking batteries may contain caustic chemicals that can irritate the skin, lungs and eyes. Wear rubber, nitrile, or latex gloves before touching the damaged battery or leaked liquid. It is also advisable to use safety glasses and a face mask if you have to handle car or lithium batteries. Work in a well-ventilated area.
- If you feel a burning sensation in your eyes or skin, or if you come into contact with battery fluid, change your "contaminated" clothing immediately. Rinse with slightly warm water for at least 30 minutes.
- Acid leaks from car batteries are generally more dangerous than those from a simple alkaline battery.
Step 2. Put the battery in a double bag
For small batteries, use a clear plastic one so you can identify the battery type before proceeding. As for large batteries such as car batteries, put them in a garbage bag, preferably at least 6mm thick, and close it immediately.
Step 3. Determine the battery type
Car or vehicle batteries are generally lead accumulators, almost always. The smaller ones, which we commonly find in our appliances, are of various types. Read the battery label to determine the type - they are usually alkaline, lithium or nickel-cadmium.
Battery shape and size are not reliable identification methods
Step 4. Determine the battery type based on the voltage
Some labels only show the battery voltage (V). In this case we can make a more accurate hypothesis: alkaline batteries usually have a number of volts multiple of 1.5; you will usually find multiples of 3 to 3, 7 in lithium ones; nickel-cadmium batteries, on the other hand, have multiples of 1, 2; lead-acid batteries finally have multiples of 2.
Step 5. Continue with the next section
Make sure you only follow the specific instructions for each type of battery. Treating a leaking battery fluid with the wrong substance could cause violent reactions, including an explosion.
Go to the end of the next section for information on disposing of batteries and cleaning electrical contacts
Part 2 of 2: Cleaning up the Leak
Step 1. Use baking soda to neutralize leaking liquid from lead acid or nickel cadmium batteries
Strong acids can escape from these types of batteries, which can corrode clothing, carpets and, in some cases, even metal. Wear protective gloves and a face shield. Cover the leak with abundant sodium bicarbonate until the "effervescence" triggered by the contact of the two substances ends. Clean the residue with a water and baking soda paste.
Also pour some baking soda into the garbage bag containing the damaged battery
Step 2. Clean up leaking alkaline batteries with mild household acid
Dip a cotton ball in vinegar or lemon juice and dab the spill to neutralize the base. Use an old toothbrush dipped in vinegar or lemon juice to get rid of a dry spill. The water may cause further corrosion, so just wet a paper towel and use it to remove the acid. Continue until the leak is removed and finally let the device dry for a few hours.
Step 3. Use water to clean up leaking lithium batteries
These batteries, often used in mobile phones or watches (the classic button batteries), must be sealed in a bag and stored in a sturdy container as they could easily ignite or even explode. Any electrical device exposed to this spill is considered unsafe and you would do well to "throw it away". Clean up the spill with water only and nothing else.
Step 4. Dispose of batteries properly
In some states it is possible to throw alkaline batteries in the trash, but normally most must be recycled by law. Find a hardware store that will recycle dead or damaged batteries properly.
Some manufacturers offer a free or reduced-price battery replacement service
Step 5. Clean the electrical contacts (optional)
If the battery has been damaged inside a device, you may need to clean the electrical contacts before using it again. Use a small plastic or wooden scraper to scrape off the leaking residue from the contacts and finish the cleaning with a slightly damp napkin or sponge - remember to throw the sponge away after using it. If the contacts are discolored, corroded or pitted you can try to fix them with a small file or fine sandpaper, but be aware that they may need to be replaced.
Advice
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To avoid possible problems follow these tips:
- Do not use different brands of batteries together in the same device.
- Remove the batteries from devices that you will not use for a long time.
- Make sure the device is completely dry before inserting new batteries.
