How to Get Rid of Battery Corrosion

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Sarah Witman is a writer focused on batteries and charging accessories. She has spent countless hours charging, discharging, and recharging batteries.

If you’ve owned an electronic device that has replaceable batteries—such as a remote control, a flashlight, a lantern, a wireless mouse, an electric pepper mill, or a child’s toy—you’ve probably had the misfortune of flipping open the battery compartment to find a whitish, crusty mess waiting for you.

Even the best household batteries are prone to rusting, corroding, and leaking chemicals, especially when they’re exposed to moisture or heat. Fortunately, there’s a simple way to clean up battery discharge, and chances are good you already have everything you need at home.