How to Clean Out a Lead Acid Battery

Lead acid batteries are made up of lead plates that rest in an acidic electrolyte solution. The combination of the lead and electrolyte create electricity, and it also leads to a chemical change in the plates. These batteries can be recharged, and if they're cared for properly, lead acid batteries may last a long time. However, cleaning out a lead acid battery—usually because you're getting rid of it—requires some care and preparation.

Things You'll Need

• Old clothing
• Safety equipment (glasses and rubber gloves)
• Baking soda
• Wire brush
• Water

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Instructions

• 1

  Put on appropriate gear: eye goggles, rubber gloves and old clothing that won't be missed in case it gets acid burned. Once you're properly geared up, disconnect the lead acid battery and set it in an open place where fumes can easily escape. Put it down on cardboard or some other sort of mat.

• 2

  Open up the battery's reservoir. The more water that's evaporated from the electrolyte, the more likely it is that there are explosive or harmful gases like hydrogen and oxygen. Give the battery some time to let the vapors drift away.

• 3

  Pour out the electrolyte into a container made of high quality glass or of stone, which isn't affected by acid. Pour baking soda into the electrolyte. If there isn't a great deal of the electrolyte in the reservoir, then feel free to pour baking soda directly into the reservoir to neutralize the acid before you pour it out.

• 4

  Rinse out the reservoir with clean water. Pour that water into the same collection area as the drained electrolyte. Wipe down the battery and clean off any corrosion with a wire brush. Once the battery is clean, it's ready to be recycled. The compound that you drained out of the battery should be given to your local hazardous waste disposal crew.