If you have children, then you know how important it is to keep their toys clean. Not only is it necessary to keep them sanitary, but it’s also important to get rid of any harmful bacteria or chemicals that may have built up on the toys. One of the most common places for bacteria and chemicals to accumulate is on battery corrosion. In this blog post, we will show you how to clean battery corrosion on toys quickly and easily.
How to clean battery corrosion on toys?
Battery corrosion is indeed a common problem found in battery-operated toys. If batteries corrode in a toy, it can cause the toy to not work, or even worse, it may start a fire. In order to clean and remove battery corrosion from toy, you must check how bad the corrosion is and what type of battery the toy takes.
If there’s just a little bit of corrosion on the battery contacts, you can clean it off with a toothbrush or q-tip. If there’s more extensive corrosion, you’ll need to prepare the following materials:
– Distilled white vinegar: This will help dissolve the corrosion.
– Cotton swabs: You’ll need these to apply the vinegar and clean off any residue.
– Safety goggles: Protect your eyes from battery acid.
– Safety gloves: to avoid getting battery acid on your skin.
– Toothbrush: To clean off any corrosion that’s not dissolved by the vinegar
– Isopropyl Alcohol: to clean any residual vinegar off of the toy.
Once you have all of the materials ready, follow these steps:
1. Disconnect the toy from its power source and remove the batteries
2. Pour distilled white vinegar into a small bowl or cup.
3. Dip the cotton swab into the vinegar and apply it to the corrosion on the battery contacts. Wait a few minutes for the vinegar to work.
4. Use the toothbrush to scrub off any corrosion that’s still on the contacts. Be sure to clean all of the contacts, not just the ones that are visible. Be careful when doing this procedure as to not damage the contacts. And also, be very careful not to get any of the vinegar or acid on your skin. If you do, rinse it off with soap and water immediately.
5. If there is any residual vinegar on the toy, use a clean cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to wipe it off. Allow the toy to dry completely before putting the batteries back in and turning it on.
Now you know how to clean battery corrosion on toys safely and effectively. Follow these steps next time your child’s favorite toy doesn’t work because of corroded batteries.
If the above procedure didn’t work and the toy remains unusable, you may try to contact the toy’s manufacturer for a repair if serviceable parts are still available. Otherwise, you may just have to buy a new toy. A new toy with a new fresh battery will be a lot more fun for your child than a toy that doesn’t work at all.
How do you remove dried battery acid from plastic?
There are a few ways to remove dried battery acid from plastic. One way is to use baking soda and water paste. Another way is to use a commercial plastic cleaner.
Baking soda and water paste:
- Mix baking soda with enough water to make a thick paste.
- Apply the paste to the battery acid residue and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Wash off the paste with warm water and dry the surface with a cloth.
Commercial plastic cleaner: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for using the cleaner. Be sure to test it in an inconspicuous area of the plastic first to make sure it doesn’t damage the surface.
Be sure to wear gloves and eye protection when cleaning battery acid from plastic. Always work in a well-ventilated area. If the battery acid has corroded through the plastic, you may need to replace the toy or take it to a repair shop for further evaluation.
How To Clean Corroded Battery Terminals In Toys?
Corrosion build-up on battery terminals on toys can be caused by a number of factors, including the age of the battery and exposure to moisture and chemicals.
If corrosion is not cleaned off regularly, it can cause a significant drop in the toy’s overall performance. In some cases, corrosion can even lead to a complete failure of the toy’s battery.
You can help prevent corrosion build-up on battery terminals by making sure your child’s toys are stored in a dry place and by cleaning the terminals regularly.
It’s also important to install batteries correctly in your child’s toys. Incorrect installation can cause corrosion build-up on battery terminals.
In order to install batteries properly, make sure that the + and – signs on the battery correspond with the + and – signs on the toy. If you’re not sure how to install batteries in a particular toy, consult the toy’s instruction manual.
How do you replace corroded battery terminals in toys?
The first step is to remove the old terminals. This can be done with a screwdriver or a sharp knife. Be careful not to damage the battery pack or the toy itself.
Once the old terminals are removed, clean the metal posts with a wire brush or sandpaper until they are shiny and free of corrosion. Apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly to the posts and attach new terminals. Make sure that they are fastened tightly so that there is no danger of them coming loose.
Just a reminder that before attempting to replace the corroded battery terminals, be sure to remove the batteries from the toy. If not done correctly, this could cause a fire hazard. Ask for help from a qualified technician if you are not comfortable doing this yourself.
Conclusion
Keeping the batteries in the toy clean and corrosion-free is an important part of keeping the toy safe to play with. Be sure to replace the batteries when necessary and clean the corrosion as soon as noticed. Do not leave the batteries in a toy for a long period of time if they are corroded, as this can lead to a fire hazard. Follow these simple steps, and you will be able to keep your child’s toys safe and free of corrosion.
