How to clean corroded battery terminals remote control

Maria asked: How do I clean corroded batteries from a remote control? My surround system does not work due to corroded batteries. I have not used my surround system for quite awhile, so my remote control with batteries was just sitting inside the box in my storage. When I was about to use it, I found that there were corroded batteries inside the remote control. It suddenly stops working. Is there a way to clean it?

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You Will Need:
Steps to Remove the Corrosion:
Additional Tips and Advice
Reader Interactions
About the Author
Cleaning the Electronic Device
Preventing Battery Damage
If Damage Is Severe
Take Safety Precautions
Knowing How to Clean Battery Corrosion
How do you clean corroded battery contacts in a remote?
How do you clean corroded battery compartment?
What dissolves corrosion on battery terminals?
Why are the batteries in my remote corroded?

When

batteries corrode, the exterior is damaged and the acid begins to seep out into the battery compartment. If not removed, it inhibits the batteries ability to make proper contact with the terminals so the power can be transferred into the device. The corrosion can also damage anything it comes into contact with (including you!). Removing this corrosion is easy and safe to do if you’re careful.

You Will Need:

Cleaning gloves
Soft cloths
Baking soda
Water
White vinegar
Cotton balls or cotton swabs

Steps to Remove the Corrosion:

Put on protective cleaning gloves. Touching the corrosion with your bare skin can give you chemical burns. It is also a good idea to put on eye protection.
Begin by removing the damaged batteries.
It may be necessary to pry them out with a screwdriver or dull knife. Use caution not to damage the already weak exterior of the battery any further.
Once the batteries are removed, dispose of them properly and wash the corrosion off your screwdriver/knife and gloves.
Use a soft cloth or paper towel to gently wipe off as much of the dry corrosion in the battery compartment as possible. It is best to place this directly into a trash can or onto an old cloth that you don’t mind being damaged.
Moisten a soft cloth with white vinegar. A mixture of four parts water and one part baking soda can also be used. Either mixture will work, regardless of the type of batteries you have; they will just work in different ways. You can read more about this in the Additional Tips section below.
Rub the cloth over the affected areas. Don’t be surprised if there is fizzing; that just means the cleaner you are using has the opposite pH of your batteries.
If the areas are small or hard to reach, a cotton swab can be used to reach them more easily. Be careful not to allow any drips to enter your device.
When the corrosion is removed, wipe the area with a clean cloth moistened with water.
Dry the compartment with a soft cloth and allow it to air dry completely before use.

Additional Tips and Advice

Vinegar is an acid and baking soda is alkaline. If you choose a solvent that is the same pH (acid or alkaline) as your batteries, it will work by dissolving the corrosion. If you choose a cleaner that has the opposite pH, a chemical reaction will occur, causing fizzing. The reaction will neutralize the corrosion and the fizzing will help to loosen it. Either method will work to remove the corrosion.
Don’t use so much liquid that it can seep into any electrical components of your item.

Reader Interactions

About the Author

I'm a stay-at-home mom who used to run a small housecleaning business. These days I consider myself more or a mad cleaning-scientist. I do most of the testing for our articles - as well as helping Mark & Melanie write them.

Did you pop open the battery cover to find a big corrosion mess? You can clean a device that has had a leaky battery. It isn't a difficult process as long as you follow the directions carefully. If the corrosion is found quickly enough, following the cleaning tips below should help you save the device from being permanently damaged.

Cleaning the Electronic Device

Carefully remove the batteries with gloved hands and recycle properly. After the batteries are removed, you will need to clean the corrosion from the device in question. Do this with cotton swabs or a toothbrush dipped in vinegar or lemon juice. The acid from these will help dissolve the corrosion from the device. Scrub with the swab or toothbrush to remove as much corrosion as possible.

Any remaining residue can be removed with baking soda and a tiny bit of water. Again, scrub with a cotton swab or old toothbrush. Take a damp swab and wipe away any leftover baking soda (or other substances) that remain. Allow the device to dry completely before putting in new batteries.

Preventing Battery Damage

You can reduce the need to clean alkaline battery corrosion if you take special care of your batteries.

If you plan to store the device for any period of time, remove the batteries. That way, if the batteries leak, you won't have to worry about damage to the electronic device.
If the device also has an AC adaptor and you are using it, remove the batteries while it is plugged in.
Do not store your batteries anywhere that gets extreme (hot or cold) temperatures. Storing in the refrigerator will not prolong the life of your batteries. This will reduce the life of the battery and could cause it to leak.
When you do put batteries in a device, make sure the batteries match. Do not put an old battery and a new battery together in the same device. Be sure they are the same brand as well.
When you replace the batteries, clean the surface of the new battery as well as the connectors in the device with an eraser. This allows for the best possible contact.

If Damage Is Severe

If your device is irreparably damaged from battery corrosion due to a battery defect, the battery manufacturer might replace the item or repair the damage. You will have to pay to send the device to the company. Popular battery companies:

Duracell
Panasonic
Rayovac

Take Safety Precautions

The potassium hydroxide that leaks from batteries is a corrosive material that is highly toxic. The caustic material can cause skin irritation and damage your eyes. It can also cause respiratory problems. Always take the following precautions when cleaning batteries.

Avoid contact with your skin. Make sure to wear rubber or latex gloves.
Keep your eyes safe by wearing safety glasses.
Make sure the area is well ventilated.
If the potassium hydroxide makes contact with your skin, flush the area well with water.

Knowing How to Clean Battery Corrosion

Having the right techniques and methods to clean up battery corrosion can help to save your stuff. Now it's time to grab some white vinegar and get to work cleaning your remote or remote control car.

How do you clean corroded battery contacts in a remote?

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.

How do you clean corroded battery compartment?

Sprinkle some baking soda over the corrosion to neutralize the battery acid. Dip an old toothbrush or cotton swab in vinegar or lemon juice so it's soaking wet, and dab it on over the baking soda. Let it fizz for a couple of minutes, then scrub the corrosion away and rinse with clean, water-soaked cotton swabs.

What dissolves corrosion on battery terminals?

Cleaning Battery Corrosion with Baking Soda and Water Apply baking soda over the entire area that's affected by corrosion. This will neutralize the battery acid. Add a small amount of water to activate the baking soda and cause a chemical reaction which will remove the corrosion.

Why are the batteries in my remote corroded?

Battery corrosion in your remote control is due to hydrogen gas being released from the acid in the battery, mixing with other things in the atmosphere. What is this? This can happen to almost any device that uses batteries, although according to their website, Energizer_® is different.

clean corroded battery terminals remote control