How To Clean Car Battery Acid Spill

Download Article

Liquid or residue from leaking batteries can cause serious harm, so approach the cleanup task with caution. Identifying the type of battery before clean-up is extremely important, or you could risk a dangerous chemical reaction. If the battery was powering a device while it was damaged, you may need to clean the electrical contacts as well, or have them replaced.

1
Protect your hands and face. Battery leaks can contain caustic chemicals that irritate the skin, lungs, and eyes. Always wear rubber, nitrile, or latex gloves before you handle the leaking battery or the leaked material. Wearing safety goggles or a face mask is highly recommended when handling car batteries or lithium batteries. Work in an area with good ventilation, blowing away from your face.
- If you feel a burning sensation in your eyes or on your skin, or if the spill gets on you, leave the area and remove affected clothing. Rinse in lukewarm, gently flowing water for at least 30 minutes.^[1]
- Acid leaks, typically from a car battery, are much more dangerous than alkaline battery leaks.
2

Double-bag the battery. For small batteries, use transparent plastic so you can identify the type of battery before you continue. For car batteries and other large batteries, put them inside two trash bags, ideally made from 6mm+ (0.2 in) thick polyethylene.^[2] Tie or seal the bag closed immediately.

Advertisement
3
Determine the battery type. Batteries for cars and other motor vehicles are almost always lead-acid batteries.^[3] Smaller batteries that slot into electric devices are more varied, so examine the label to find the type. The most common types for small batteries are alkaline, lithium, and nickel cadmium, followed by lead-acid.
- Size and shape alone are not reliable identification methods.
4

Guess at battery type based on voltage. If the only label is the voltage display (V), you can make an educated guess: Alkaline batteries have voltages that are multiples of 1.5. Lithium battery voltages can vary, but are often written as multiples of 3 to 3.7. Nickel cadmium voltages are multiples of 1.2, and lead-acid batteries are multiples of 2.^[4]
5
Continue to the next section. Be sure only to follow the instructions for your type of battery. Treating the spill with the wrong chemical could cause an explosion.
- See the end of the next section for information on battery disposal and cleaning electrical contacts.
Advertisement

1
Use baking soda to neutralize lead-acid or nickel cadmium spills. These types of battery can leak a strong acid, which eats through clothing, carpet, or in some cases even metal. Approach it with protective gloves and face shield, and cover liberally with baking soda, until newly added baking soda does not cause additional fizzing or bubbling. Clean up remaining residue using a thick paste made from baking soda and water.
- Also pour baking soda into the trash bag containing the damaged battery.
2

Clean up alkaline spills with mild household acid. For alkaline batteries, dip a cotton swab in vinegar or lemon juice, and swab the spill to neutralize the basic leak. Use an old toothbrush dipped in the same material to scrub at a spill that has dried. Water can cause further corrosion, so wet a paper towel as lightly as possible and use that to wipe up the acid. Repeat until clean, then let the device dry for several hours.
3

Wipe up lithium spills with water. For lithium batteries, often used in cell phones or "button" batteries, immediately place the bag in a sealed, sturdy container, as it could cause a fire or explode. Any electric device exposed to the leak is no longer safe to use. Throw the device away, and clean up spills with water and nothing else.^[5]
4
Dispose of the batteries . In some states and countries, you may dispose of alkaline batteries in the regular trash, but most batteries are required by law to be recycled.^[6] Visit earth911's online tool to find a nearby hardware store or other location that will recycle your type of battery.
- Some battery manufacturers may offer you a free or reduced-price replacement battery.
5

Clean the electrical contacts (optional). If the battery was connected to a device when it leaked, the device's electrical contacts may need to be cleaned before the device can be safely used. Scrape off any residue using a plastic or wooden stick, and use a slightly damp paper towel to wipe it off, throwing the towel away immediately. If the contacts themselves are corroded, pitted, or discolored, file them down using sandpaper or a metal file, but be aware that they may need replacement.^[7]

Advertisement

Add New Question

Question

Is rubbing alcohol okay for alkaline battery spills? A tech friend once advised this.

It's better to use vinegar or lemon juice; you want a mild acid to neutralize the alkaline substance.
Question

I 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?

Is 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.
Question

How do I clean acid battery from a golf cart?

You 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.
Question

Would an oz. of coca-cola take away the acid spill?

It's acidic, so if it would be an alkaline spill, then sure, as coke has pH of (varying on the type) 2.5-3.8.
Question

What type of batteries do computers use? I have an old iMac computer that I want to clean up and make into a cat bed but the battery has leaked badly.

Computers use either LiPo or Li-ion batteries. Some older computers use Ni-MH (nickel metal-hydride). You should be able to identify the battery type by the label.
Question

If I had batteries that sat on the ground and deteriorated, what should I do with the soil?

The soil needs to be scooped up and discarded. Be sure to wear protective gear and wrap it in multiple layers of plastic. Dispose of it as you would any toxic waste. Don't put it in a compost heap or your garden!
Question

What is the liquid color of a leaking lithium polymer battery?

It varies based on age, but ti can be yellow to brown (the older, the darker).
Question

What would make a penny turn blue?

You may be seeing normal tarnish on copper, which is green or blue.
Question

Can the camera still be used if the battery leaked while inside?

If you cleaned up the camera well, replaced the battery AND the camera works, then you should be fine. If you're really concerned & the camera is worth it, send it to the company that made it for a professional cleaning. Contact them first for instructions.
Question

How do I clean a battery acid spill that's on a cloth?

Dispose of the cloth if possible. If not, neutralize the acid (see part 2, steps 1-3) and shampoo the cloth.

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

If solar batteries are leaking, you can still reuse the batteries if they are cleaned and are not damaged. Be sure to check for leaks by the metal prongs. Dispose of battery if visible damage has occurred.
To avoid future problems, adopt the following practices:
- Do not mix and match different battery brands in the same device.
- Remove batteries from devices that are being stored.
- Make sure the electronic device is completely dry before trying a new battery.

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Large spills involving many liters (several gallons) of liquid or more should be handled by the fire department. Call an emergency number and keep everyone away from the area.

About This Article

Article SummaryX

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!

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 669,028 times.

Did this article help you?