Battery corrosion is a common issue that can be remedied in a number of ways. You may already have the remedy in your kitchen or medicine cabinet, but are skeptical to do so. One of these is hydrogen peroxide, which you may already be familiar with. However, you might be wondering if it is actually effective. This blog will help you learn about its effectiveness as well as other natural remedies to protect your battery and dissolve battery corrosion. Additionally, it will walk you through the process of doing so efficiently.
Lead Acid Battery Charging Voltage Chart
| State of Charge | 6-Cell Lead Acid Battery |
12-cell Lead Acid Battery |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | 12.7V | 25.4V |
| 75% | 12.4V | 24.8V |
| 50% | 12.2V | 24.4V |
| 25% | 12.0V | 24.0V |
| 0% | 11.8V | 23.6V |
What dissolves battery corrosion?
Here are a few of the most common household items that can be used as battery acid remover or to dissolve corrosion:
- Vinegar or Lemon juice. This is the most popular method to break down or dissolve battery corrosion, as vinegar contains acetic acid and lemon juice has citric acid.
- Baking soda and water. Mixing baking soda and water creates a solution that combats more severe forms of corrosion. Soak the corrosive area on the battery with the chosen substance, wait a few minutes, and then scrape it away with a toothbrush or another brush with soft bristles. After that, thoroughly rinse it with water to clean it.
- Hydrogen peroxide. Most drugstores sell it to clean cuts and scrapes. Hydrogen peroxide cleans battery corrosion and can be used to clean acidic chemicals. This mild oxidizer doesn’t require gloves, goggles, masks, etc. It’s non-toxic, so you and your family are protected. But since you are working with batteries, these safety gears are recommended for safety purposes.
In addition, hydrogen peroxide does not require vigorous scouring or brushing of the surface when cleaning car battery terminals. Since this mild oxidizer is a liquid that breaks down into water and oxygen, leaving nothing behind but pure metal, it only needs one quick dip to clear away any corrosion. Follow up by rinsing the area with water, and you’re done.
Whichever method you choose in cleaning battery acid, make sure you do it correctly and safely. Do your research and read the labels before using any chemical-based cleaners. Also, read the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular battery, and always exercise caution when working with any corrosive material.
How do you clean battery corrosion from a remote?
Cleaning corrosion from a remote varies depending on the remote you acquired. But how to clean battery corrosion? You need to check first the level of corrosion and the material you’re about to clean.
Before cleaning, wear gloves to avoid contact with the battery acid. It would help if you also worked in a well-ventilated space for safety purposes.
The steps below are generic and might not be suited for your specific remote. So it’s best to check your remote’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Here’s the guide if the corrosion is light:
- Start by removing all batteries from the remote, if any are present.
- Check for corrosion on the contacts. Use a cotton swab or cloth dipped in a dash of vinegar or any cleaning solution you may have, and lightly scrape the corroded area.
- Use a tiny amount of liquid at a time to prevent water from entering the wiring within the device. Wipe off any excess liquid with a dry cloth or a cotton swab.
- Allow the battery compartment to dry completely before inserting batteries back into the remote; otherwise, you risk having corrosion build up fast in a few seconds.
- Ensure that you are inserting fresh batteries with no traces of corrosion on the contact points. This way, you avoid future corrosion build-up.
If the corrosion is not too bad, you can try to clean it with a toothbrush or a small brush. If that doesn’t work, you might need to use a paste made of baking soda and water. Apply this paste over the corroded area and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, use a toothbrush to scrub the area and rinse it with water. Just be careful with the water not to let it get inside the remote.
Meanwhile, if the corrosion is heavy, it is recommended to check your remote’s manual or contact the manufacturer for further instructions on how to properly clean battery corrosion from a remote control device.
Conclusion
It’s essential to take care of battery corrosion as soon as possible, as it can eventually cause damage to the battery and to the device itself. If battery corrosion is left untreated, it can cause many problems, including decreased battery life and electrical shorts. Thus, ensure to keep your batteries clean and free of corrosion, and always remove them from the device when it’s not in use. Lastly, don’t forget to dispose of the corroded battery correctly and safely.
