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How Do I Clean Battery Acid Leakage in a Remote?

Gregory Han
Gregory Han
A Los Angeles native, Gregory’s interests fall upon the relationship between design, nature, and technology. His resume includes art director, toy designer, and design writer. Co-author of Poketo's "Creative Spaces: People, Homes, and Studios to Inspire", you can find him regularly at Design Milk and the New York Times Wirecutter. Gregory lives with his wife Emily and their two cats—Eames and Eero—in Mt. Washington, California, curiously investigating the entomological and mycological.
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updated Oct 27, 2022
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Credit: Cat Meschia/Kitchn

Sent by Tiffany

Editor: The most common cause of batteries leaking potassium hydroxide (which is actually an alkaline, not an acid) is simply leaving old batteries inside devices for too long.

Eventually, over time, perhaps due to environmental temperature shifts, batteries can swell and leak the characteristic white corrosive flaky dust you may spot alongside the edges of battery bays. Sometimes mixing brands or battery types can cause leaking, so it’s advisable to switch out batteries together all at once rather than piecemeal.

If you need to clean off the “battery acid,” be sure to wear protective gloves while doing so. Since potassium hydroxide is a caustic agent that can irritate the respiratory system, eyes, and skin, you may want to take a precautionary extra step of using vinegar or lemon juice (both acids) to neutralize the alkaline build-up. Use a Q-tip or an old toothbrush, as shown here, and carefully wipe away.

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(Image: provided by Tiffany)

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