Battery damage question

[AZZenny]

I have a label-maker and when it wouldn't turn on, I opened it up to change the batteries -- and one of the batteries had exuded that chalky white stuff all over at one end. I can scrape the deposit off pretty well, but my Q is whether it will then be OK to reinstall batteries and use it, or is there some special way to clean it, or is it shot? The contacts look OK if I clean them up. What is that stuff, anyhow?

 

[earthsci]

I have a label-maker and when it wouldn't turn on, I opened it up to change the batteries -- and one of the batteries had exuded that chalky white stuff all over at one end. I can scrape the deposit off pretty well, but my Q is whether it will then be OK to reinstall batteries and use it, or is there some special way to clean it, or is it shot? The contacts look OK if I clean them up. What is that stuff, anyhow?

...potassium hydroxide (a base, hence the name 'alkaline battery') has leaked from your batteries (it's a wet paste inside the battery)...

It will dissolve in water. You can use some slightly acidic water to neutralize the base - add a little vinegar or lemon juice or something like that to your cleaning solution, don't rub that grey stuff in your eyes, wash your hands thoroughly when you're done, etc.

Clean it up and I think that you are good to go.

 

[TJ]

Water with baking soda works well in that situation.

And obviously, replace the batteries.