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Clean nickel cadmium, alkaline, lead-acid, and lithium-ion acid leaks
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Battery acid spills can seem scary, but with the right tools, you can get it cleaned up in no time. It’s important to wear gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask and identify the type of battery before cleaning up battery acid. Double-bag the battery and dispose of it at the appropriate recycling center, then follow these instructions to clean up the acid from lithium-ion, lead-acid, nickel cadmium, and alkaline batteries.
Cleaning up Lead-Acid or NiCd Battery Acid
Sprinkle the area liberally with baking soda until it stops fizzing. For larger spills, absorb any leftover material with clay or kitty litter, shovel it up, and double-bag it. For small spills, use a couple of paper towels to absorb the baking soda mixture and place them in a double bag.
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QuestionIs rubbing alcohol okay for alkaline battery spills? A tech friend once advised this.Community AnswerIt's better to use vinegar or lemon juice; you want a mild acid to neutralize the alkaline substance.
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QuestionI have an old battery box from an electric forklift that is very corroded from the old batteries. Can I clean this and use in an a pot for a flower garden or vegetables?Community AnswerIs not a good idea, because the box can still contain some pollutant leaked by the battery. Any kind of vegetables you put in can absorb those pollutants.
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QuestionHow do I clean acid battery from a golf cart?Community AnswerYou can either get some battery acid cleaner at an auto parts store or mix some baking soda and water to use to clean the acid. Wash away the residue with water.
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Tips
- To prevent battery acid leaks in the future, make sure the batteries are properly installed, avoid mixing old and new batteries in the same device, and remove them if the device hasn’t been used for a long time. [18] X Research sourceThanks
- Make sure to store batteries in a cool, dry location out of direct sunlight and use a rubber band to bundle multiple batteries so their terminals don’t touch.Thanks
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Warnings
- Large spills involving several liters (or gallons) of liquid or more should be handled by the fire department. Call an emergency number like 911 and keep everyone away from the area.Thanks
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Things You’ll Need
- Rubber , nitrile , or latex gloves
- Safety goggles
- Chemical face mask
- 6mm+ (0.2 in) thick polyethylene trash bags or heavy-duty trash bags
- Lithium spill kit (optional)
- Ammonia-based cleaner (optional)
- Baking soda
- Microfiber cloth
- Wire brush
References
- ↑ https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1761.pdf
- ↑ http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/sulfuric_acid.html
- ↑ http://batterycouncil.org/?page=lead_acid_batteries
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-battery-corrosion/
- ↑ https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-303-confusion-with-voltages
- ↑ https://www.annapolis.gov/DocumentCenter/View/796/Workbook-for-Automotive-Establishments-PDF
- ↑ http://www.earth911.com/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-single-use-batteries/
- ↑ https://www.epa.gov/recycle/used-lithium-ion-batteries
- ↑ https://www.epa.gov/recycle/used-lithium-ion-batteries
- ↑ https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2022-05/Final-5-16-Lithium-Battery-Recycling-Safety-Advisory.pdf
- ↑ https://ehs.oregonstate.edu/sites/ehs.oregonstate.edu/files/pdf/si/lithium_battery_safety_and_handling_guide.pdf
- ↑ https://ehs.oregonstate.edu/sites/ehs.oregonstate.edu/files/pdf/si/lithium_battery_safety_and_handling_guide.pdf
- ↑ https://www.osha.gov/etools/powered-industrial-trucks/types-fundamentals/power-sources/electrical
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-battery-corrosion/
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/how-to-clean-battery-corrosion/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-battery-corrosion/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-battery-corrosion/
- ↑ https://www.safeatworkca.com/safety-articles/lithium-battery-handling/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To clean up battery acid spills, first put on a pair of rubber gloves as well as a safety mask or goggles. Place the battery in 2 plastic bags, seal the bags tightly, and inspect the battery label to see what type it is. For an alkaline battery, clean up the spill using a mild acid like vinegar or lemon juice. If the batter is a lithium battery, wipe up the spill with a paper towel soaked in water. Be sure to dispose of the batteries as soon as the spill is cleaned. For tips on cleaning up other battery acid spills, such as lead or nickel-cadmium, scroll down!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I had a battery leak in a lamp. I was always told to use baking soda, so I looked it up just in case. It was a good thing I did, because it was an alkaline battery and I wasn't aware that there were other methods, depending on different types of battery acid. I also learned quite a bit for future issues!" ..." more
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"I had a battery leak in a lamp. I was always told to use baking soda, so I looked it up just in case. It was a good thing I did, because it was an alkaline battery and I wasn't aware that there were other methods, depending on different types of battery acid. I also learned quite a bit for future issues!"
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"You saved my excellent Nikon flash from ruin. I had forgotten to take out the AA batteries. They had leaked so much that I couldn't even pull the battery holder out of battery chamber. Thankfully, I searched your site before using water instead of lemon juice."
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"I am very satisfied with this article. Information was informative. I am 81 yrs old and been in the electrical and battery business since I was 21. Thanks for the help. I had an LED flashlight with a leaking battery to clean up. It's working.."
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"I am preparing to transport a dead car battery to the auto store and exchange it for a new one. I wanted to be prepared in advance in the event of an acid leak in my trunk. "
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"Extremely helpful article. It helped me restore my PowerPoint remote. I have thrown away good devices, like the TV remote, in the past because of battery leak. "
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