A Quick Guide to Cleaning Battery Corrosion
In my journey of learning how to repair Joycons (and many other electronics), I’ve had to tackle battery corrosion more than a few times. Cleaning corrosion off of connection points can be tricky, and there’s no shortage of opinions on how to do it right. After some research and plenty of trial and error, I’ve found a method that works well for me. Here are my quick tips:
1. Green/White Battery Corrosion
This type of corrosion is pretty common, and fortunately, it’s manageable with the right approach.
- Discard the Batteries: First things first, get rid of the corroded batteries safely. They’re beyond saving at this point.
- Rinse with HOT Water: Yes, you read that right—I put the electronic device under the faucet. As long as there’s no battery, this shouldn’t be a problem. The key here is to ensure the device is completely dry afterward. I usually disassemble the entire thing to make sure all the water is out. The hot water will remove most of the corrosion.
- Use Vinegar: Vinegar is your best friend for cleaning metal connectors. If you can remove the connectors, soak them in vinegar and watch the magic happen. If you can’t remove them, a toothbrush dipped in vinegar works well too. Apply the vinegar and listen closely—you should hear it sizzling. Keep brushing and reapplying vinegar until the sizzling stops. This means the corrosion is breaking down.
- Dry Thoroughly: After cleaning, wait a day or two to ensure no water or vinegar remains. Once everything is dry, test the device to see if it’s working again.
2. Rust Corrosion
Rust is a tougher beast to deal with, and honestly, I haven’t had much luck with it.
- Try CLR or Rust Remover: Products like CLR might help, but in my experience, it takes a lot of elbow grease and usually ruins the toothbrush I’m using.
- Patience is Key: If you’re determined to remove rust, be prepared for a workout. It’s a slow process, and the results aren’t always worth the effort.
Cleaning battery corrosion isn’t always easy, but with the right tools and a bit of patience, you can often save your device. Happy cleaning!