How To Clean Camera Battery Corrosion (Easy Methods)

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If you’re a regular camera user, you must know that you may find a camera battery terminal corroded when you take out your camera after a long time. Normally, a camera doesn’t work if the terminals are not clean. The problem lies in the situation when you’ve cleaned the corroded terminals, and still, the camera doesn’t work. 

So, how to clean camera battery corrosion? Don’t worry. We have got you covered. We will show you different step-by-step methods on how to clean battery corrosion in the camera. 

So, let’s begin!

How To Clean Camera Battery Corrosion – 2 Methods

Wondering how to remove battery corrosion? Well, it may seem to be a little messy and complicated process, but trust me, it’s not. If you have all the required materials arranged and a go-to guide to remove the corrosion on the battery, it’s just a matter of a few minutes. 

There are majorly two methods of removing corrosion from battery contacts. Let’s dive deep into them. 

Method 1: White Vinegar Method

If you see your camera battery corroded, the first thing you should do is to wear rubber gloves and eyewear protection. This is crucial because the leaking substance from the camera batteries, potassium hydroxide, can cause skin and eye irritation if exposed to the air.

Items Required:

Following are the items you would need to perform the White Vinegar Method:

• White Vinegar
• Cotton Bud or a Q-tip
• Sandpaper
• Cotton Swabs

Procedure:

After you’ve collected all the required items, here is the step-by-step procedure on how to clean camera battery corrosion using white vinegar. Here you go:

Step 1: Dilute White Vinegar

You don’t need a whole bottle of white vinegar to do this step. You just need a little vinegar, approximately one tablespoon. Pour the vinegar into a cup or lid and dilute it with water. 

Step 2: Start Cleaning The Camera Terminals

The next step includes taking the q-tip or cotton bud, whichever is available with you, and soaking it in the white vinegar solution. After the q-tip has been appropriately soaked, rub the corroded area with it. 

You may hear some fizzing sound while doing this step. Don’t panic. It’s completely normal. It’s just the sound of a reaction caused between the corrosion and white vinegar. In fact, it’s good if you hear the fizzing sound. It would help you judge whether the job is being done or not. 

Step 3: Scrub It With Sandpaper

The terminals may look really cakey and disgusting after rubbing the corroded area for a while. Don’t get irritated. Just take a small piece of sandpaper, fold it in half, and scrub the messy area. 

Step 4: Put Your Cotton Buds On Work Again

Now, leave the sandpaper and take your q-tip once again. Soak it into the white vinegar solution and start scrubbing the area once again. You will soon find out the area foaming and continue doing it until it’s all cleaned. 

Step 5: Clean It Off

After all the battery rust has been properly taken off, take a cotton swab and clean the battery terminals properly. Make sure that the terminals are not wet and dry the terminals carefully. Don’t use the camera or put the new batteries inside until it’s thoroughly dried. 

Step 6: Camera Is Ready To Be Used

After the terminals are entirely dried up, you can insert new batteries, and the camera is then, ready to use. The camera and batteries might look gross initially, but it’s just a matter of a few minutes. After cleaning them, it will look spotless. 

Method 2: Baking Soda Method

Baking Soda is readily available at almost all the stores near you. The method of cleaning corroded battery contacts using baking soda is one of the cheapest ways. 

Items Required:

Following are the items you would need to perform the Baking Soda Method to clean the corroded batteries:

• Baking Soda
• Water
• Brush
• Sandpaper
• Cotton Swabs

Procedure:

After collecting all the items mentioned above, go through the following methods to clean the terminal batteries:

Step 1: Make A Baking Soda Mixture

The first step includes making a baking soda mixture. Take two tablespoons of baking soda powder and mix it with 2 cups of water to do this step. You can use any vessel to make the solution. Make sure that the soda gets thoroughly dissolved in the water. 

Step 2: Clean The Terminals With Baking Soda Mixture

Now pour a little of the solution on the camera battery terminals and allow it to sit for some time. The baking soda mixture will neutralize the action of the battery rust, and in some time, the rust will start breaking away. 

Step 3: Clean The Terminals With A Brush or A Sandpaper

The next step is to take an old brush and gently start rubbing the terminals. Be a little careful and rub off all the corrosion. You can also rub the terminals by using sandpaper. Just take a little piece of sandpaper, fold it in half and start rubbing. 

Make sure to be extra careful and gentle while doing this step. The camera terminals are sensitive, and I’m sure you’d not want to break them. 

Step 4: Let The Terminals Properly Dry

After performing the steps mentioned above, make sure that the terminals of the camera dry properly. Use a cotton swab to wipe out all the moisture so that it dries quickly. Never use a camera when it’s wet because a short circuit may occur. 

After the terminals are entirely dried up, insert batteries or cells, and your camera is ready to use!

How to Prevent Camera Battery Corrosion

“Prevention is better than cure!” I’m sure you’ve heard the quote before. Learning to clean the camera battery corrosion is good, but why not learn to prevent it only? Below are some efficient steps that might help you to fix the corrosion problem forever:

1. Always try to use new batteries if you’re using your device after a long time. 
2. Batteries are sensitive to heat and humidity. Never expose them to direct sunlight. Make sure to store them in a cool and dry place. 
3. When you’re not using your camera for a long time, take out your batteries and store them somewhere else rather than keeping them inside the camera. In case of battery leaks, you do not have to worry about your electronic device getting damaged from the leakage. 
4. If possible, avoid using old and new batteries simultaneously. It can cause hazards. Make sure you use the same brand battery as well. 
5. When you replace an old battery with the new one, wipe out the terminals and the conductors with a cotton swab beforehand. This will allow the best possible conduction to the batteries. 

FAQs for How To Clean Camera Battery Corrosion

Why does Camera Battery Corrosion Occur?

A camera battery corrosion generally occurs when you keep the camera unused with the batteries present inside the camera for a long time. When hydrogen gas from the batteries starts leaking, it mixes with the air and humidity to react and form rust. 

How do I stop my battery terminals from corroding?

Battery corrosion is normal these days. To stop a battery from getting corroded, make sure to take out the batteries if you’ll be using your electronic device after many days. Make sure not to expose them to humidity and heat. 

For further prevention, you may apply battery terminal grease on the battery terminal of your camera to prevent rusting. You can find battery terminal grease available at any local store near you. 

Does Coke Help In Removing Battery Corrosion In Real?

Although it may seem a little crazy, yes! Coke does help in getting rid of battery corrosion in real. Coke is acidic in nature; thus, it helps in neutralizing the effect of rust formed on the terminals. 

To remove the rust, simply pour coke on the rusty surface. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Take sandpaper and start scrubbing the corrosion area. The rust will be gone in no time, leaving a spotless area behind. 

Conclusion

We hope we have explained how to clean camera battery corrosion properly. Having a rusty battery terminal is normal. Knowing the right methods and the right techniques to put them into action can help you get rid of these battery rusts easily. 

So, what are you waiting for? Grab up some white vinegar or baking soda and clean your rusty camera battery terminal. If you have any doubts, feel free to put down your questions in the comment section below.