How to Get Broken Batteries out of a Flashlight
- 1). Unscrew the cap of the battery compartment carefully and set it aside. If cap is stuck on tight, spray a tiny amount of lubricant at the edge of cap and try again -- this should get the cap off. Turn the flashlight upside down and shake gently onto a couple of paper towels, or hold open a plastic sandwich bag and shake the batteries into that. For batteries that are really stuck, use a clean plastic knife to gently work batteries out of the compartment, taking care to not scratch or damage the inside of the flashlight.
- 2). Clean the battery compartment once the batteries are out, if they leaked. Mix a small amount of baking soda and water with a few drops of vinegar to clean the battery compartment. An unused makeup brush can be good for applying this mixture, as these brushes are small and the bristles are soft. Just remember to throw the brush out afterward. If there is a stain in the compartment from the battery leak, this can be cleaned with a small amount of lemon juice. Once the inside of the battery compartment is dry, use fine sandpaper to lightly sand the battery contacts, then apply a tiny bit of a cleaner and lubricant mixture.
- 3). Keep leaking and broken batteries away from other used batteries. Place leaking batteries into a disposable plastic bag. Wear gloves to handle broken batteries and then your wash hands immediately after taking the gloves off. Call a recycling center to find out if the center takes broken batteries, and if not, what you should do with them. Don't put broken, leaking batteries in with the regular trash.