How To Clean Battery Acid From Toys

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Learn how to clean battery corrosion in 6 simple steps — all your toys and electronics will work like new again!

how to clean battery corrosion

Have you ever wondered how to clean battery corrosion from your favorite toys and electronics?

Or maybe you didn't even realize you COULD clean corroded batteries!?

Yes! It is possible (and quite simple) to clean mild to moderate battery corrosion from your favorite toys and electronics!

Since we often give our children used toys as birthday and Christmas gifts, and since I regularly buy kids' items on Craigslist and Facebook, it is not uncommon for me to come across a fair amount of corroded battery compartments.

Thankfully, I learned how to remove battery corrosion a few years ago. As a result, we've been enjoying even more second-hand bargains!

If you have any toys or electronics with corroded battery compartments, test out my tips, and bring new life back to your "old" treasures!

organized batteries in a storage box

Active Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Materials

Paper towels or cleaning rag
Cotton Swabs
Baking soda
Water

Instructions

STEP 1: Remove and discard old batteries.

In almost all cases of battery corrosion, you'll need to dispose of the old batteries.

In my experience, it's fairly easy to clean the corrosion off the toy or other electronics, but you can't really "clean" it off the batteries.

STEP 2: Wipe out any loose chunks.

Sometimes you won't need to do this, but if there are any loose chunks of corrosion, I try to wipe those out with a damp paper towel (or blow them out with a can of compressed air).

STEP 3: Make a paste of baking soda and water.

You'll only need a teaspoon or so of baking soda and just a few drops of water.

I use a cotton swab and a small bowl to mix it into a paste.

STEP 4: Rub the paste onto the corroded areas.

Using the cotton swab, simply rub a small amount of the baking soda paste on and around the corroded area until the corrosion starts to rub off. Use new cotton swabs as necessary.

STEP 5: Wipe out excess with a paper towel.

Once you have the corroded area mostly cleaned out, use a damp (almost dry) paper towel to wipe the area. Then let it air dry before putting new batteries in.

STEP 6: Test it with new batteries.

Put new batteries in the unit and test to see if it works!

Notes

There have been a couple of times when this cleaning method has not worked for me, but for the most part, once I put new batteries in, the item works just like new again!

I can't even begin to add up how much money I've saved buying used toys, electronics, games, and other battery-powered items over the years.

Even more so now that I don't have to skip over items with corroded battery issues!

I know my quick cleaning tips won't work for every case of battery corrosion, but considering the process only requires a few minutes and a tiny bit of baking soda, it doesn't hurt to try!

BONUS TIP: If you plan to give a gift that requires batteries… include a pack of extra batteries! I know it will be appreciated 🙂

What about you… have you ever "magically" fixed a favorite toy or game by removing battery corrosion?

Do you have any other tips to clean battery corrosion?

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6 steps to clean battery corrosion