Removing Possible Battery Acid

[SeekTruthFromFacts]

My DVD remote control has stopped working, and the battery compartment has a white powdery substance in it. Although it's possible a room-mate has dropped it in the flour or something, I assume this is battery acid or a by-product.

What's the best way to remove it without damaging the remote control? Simple water and a cloth, or do I need to be more careful?

 

[Perfection]

I always use water and a paper towel (I don't care to have the stuff on my cloth. It always seems to work for me. There might be a slightly better way, but I've had no problems with it.

I would be careful not to touch the junk though, and wash my hands afterwards.

 

[Formaldehyde]

Baking soda will neutralize the acid. But if there isn't anything liquid in there, it has likely already reacted and formed that precipitate. Just remove it with a brush, a piece of cloth, or a file.

 

[Skwink]

What do you guys do that ends up with your remote in the flour?

 

[shadowplay]

Assuming it's an alkaline battery, wipe it away with a paper towel dampened with some white vinegar.

 

[DaveShack]

Here's a link. It's important to confirm that it's really a normal alkaline battery and not something more exotic, like a non-alkaline rechargeable.

 

[SeekTruthFromFacts]

What do you guys do that ends up with your remote in the flour?

I've had flatmates and regular guests from different cultural backgrounds, so I've learned not to make too many assumptions.

E.g. at one stage I did have a flatmate who kept fish in the toilet and experimented with installing a turtle in a microwave. Another time I threw away several cups of tea before I realized that my flatmate and I had different ideas about the salt pot and the sugar pot.

 

[SeekTruthFromFacts]

Perfection, Formaldehyde, shadowplay, and DaveShack, thanks for the help.