Oct
2013
How To Fix Toys (or anything) That Have Battery Corrosion
I am starting a new Friday tradition… Fix it Friday. I can just hear ya’all cheering. The toilet paper holder I blogged about a while ago has me on a rampage of fixing stuff, I hope some of this comes in handy for you. If not, I’ll stop. Girl Scouts honor (mmmm, now I want a cookie)
I think we’ve all pulled out an old toy or something else battery-operated only to find that the battery has leaked or corroded and the darn thing won’t work anymore. Well, wipe those tears girls, it might be an easy fix! Try these three steps before you give it away. But before you start anything, turn off the toy/item. Electrocution is so not cool. Also, rubber gloves and eye protection is recommended. This toy was not too bad, but still, not working:
1. Clean the area with vinegar and an old toothbrush. Just give it a good scrubbing. This cleans it and neutralizes alkaline so it won’t cause further damage. Wipe away any debris with a paper towel
Allow the item to dry completely (hours if needed). And if it still won’t work…
2. File down the springs with a nail file and then rinse the area with vinegar on a Q-tip.
Allow the item to dry completely. And if it still won’t work…
3. Fold some tin foil and put it between the springs and the battery to make sure the connection is tight
And if it still won’t work…
I can’t help you. But you could always take it apart and see all the cool parts inside or run over it in your car to teach your kids not to play behind cars… the possibilities are endless really. Martha Stewart said all bloggers are not experts after all. (hope I never gave you the impression that I might be!) This toy started after step 1. Old toothbrush + vinegar = happy baby
Paula
2015/03/14 at 7:32 pm (2 years ago)Hi, you’re a legend! I thought that my first son’s mobile was gone forever as I forgot to take the alkaline batteries off and they leaked causing the toy not to work. I need the mobile for my newborn second son. I panicked, until I came across your blog, I followed your steps and its fixed. Thank you so much again!
Paula
Sarah
2015/09/08 at 10:09 am (1 year ago)Nothing like saving a toy to make you a hero. I love it. Thank you!
Mandi
2015/04/03 at 8:53 am (1 year ago)Thank you! How funny that this article pulled up for me and it just happened to be the same toy I was trying to fix. Step 1 worked! Happy baby.
Matt
2016/09/02 at 6:45 pm (4 weeks ago)So weird!! Me too!!
jaylisa
2015/05/01 at 3:59 pm (1 year ago)You literally just saved my life.bought two toys at a garage sale, one for my autistic five year old son, one for my five month baby girl. My son’s toy played for ten minutes than stopped, my daughter didn’t not start at all. My son lost it, my baby didn’t care, the hanging toys were enough fit her.looked up something to do about it, step one had my son perfectly happy and now my daughter is more in love than before.Thank you thank you thank you!!! Now I have a weekend of getting stuff done to look forward to….now if only I can find something to occupy my one year old girl….
Sarah
2015/09/08 at 10:08 am (1 year ago)Yeah! So glad!
hannah
2015/08/01 at 6:35 am (1 year ago)Fixed my baby’s night scout teddy. Thank you so much
Sarah
2015/09/17 at 10:58 pm (1 year ago)Ohhh… night scout teddy sounds serious. Hallelujah it is working again! Thanks for reading
Teresa
2015/09/13 at 6:11 pm (1 year ago)THANK YOU!! My child’s Leapfrog Tag Junior is now fixed!
Sarah
2015/09/17 at 10:55 pm (1 year ago)Yeah! We’re big fans of leapfrog tag around here. So glad it works!
Robyn
2015/09/24 at 7:59 am (1 year ago)Thank you, thank you, thank you! My 4 year old’s Leapfrog My Pal Scout hadn’t been working for a while and I finally got around to changing the batteries and found them corroded. After only step 1, it worked! I have a happy little boy. He always listened to the nighttime music for naps and bed and is super excited to have it again. ☺️
lindsay
2015/12/12 at 4:50 pm (10 months ago)this is the same toy I’m trying to fix!!! Hope it works!
Sarah
2016/02/01 at 11:25 am (8 months ago)Did it work?
Danielle
2016/02/15 at 6:20 pm (8 months ago)Too funny.. I also found your blog via a search to fix this same toy! Hopefully this works. Thanks!
Jenne
2016/04/08 at 9:13 am (6 months ago)I can’t thank you enough for posting this! We got a toy from a garage sale and it stopped working about 5 seconds after we got it home – corroded batteries!! My little guy was so sad, but the first step did the trick! Amazing!!❤️
Necolle
2016/04/10 at 6:11 am (6 months ago)I love that you took the time to explain how to fix toys. We live in such a throw away world. It’s nice to know there are others out there who would rather spend the time to fix something broke than toss it.
Sarah
2016/04/12 at 1:28 pm (6 months ago)Thanks Necolle, Thanks for your comment, I totally agree! I wish we salvaged more than we do.
Lorenna
2016/06/03 at 10:44 pm (4 months ago)Thank you soo much!!
I tried all steps and nothing
Until i tried the tin foil and it worked like new.
So glade i found this artical!! Otherwise i was going to throw out a very expensive remote car.
Lawanda Johnson
2016/07/20 at 7:15 am (2 months ago)SCREAMING a BIG THANK YOU to a Great Science Teacher!!!
I used tips 1 & 3, and all 3 Elmos (Tickle Me, Hokey Pokey, & Dance & Shout) that had been in storage for years and not working are NOW working!!! The kids and I are so excited!!! Thanks again! Blessings!
Suzanne
2016/07/21 at 8:20 am (2 months ago)Wow this really works thanks saved me £40 for a new vetch bike.
Nicole
2016/08/01 at 4:56 pm (2 months ago)I don’t know How old this blog is, but this was the best advice, ever!!! Worked for an old voice activated Transformer, making my 5yr old very happy!! Thank you!
Sarah
2016/08/01 at 8:22 pm (2 months ago)so happy! Nothing beats transformers for 5 year olds
Phil
2016/08/28 at 3:05 pm (1 month ago)Thought my battery operated weather radio was finished due to corroded batteries, but performing steps 1 & 3 fixed it right up. Thanks so much!!
Sarah
2016/08/28 at 9:11 pm (1 month ago)You’re so welcome! Yeah!!!
Roxanne
2016/09/23 at 12:37 pm (1 week ago)Thank you soooo much! I just bought a Baby Einstein activity saucer from a woman off Craigslist and I asked her specifically if the sounds and lights worked and she told me “yes”! Such a big lie, I was ready to hunt her down after I came home and put new batteries in, of course there was corrosion! I thought I was put of luck till I found this!! I feel like I can fix anything now, lol! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Sarah
2016/09/23 at 1:19 pm (1 week ago)Glad it worked, I know which saucer you’re referring to and it is baby heaven. Many, many happy hours ahead! Thanks for reading.
Jane S
2016/09/23 at 9:52 pm (7 days ago)I don’t understand where to put the foil when checking the connection. Do I put it in between the rings of coil or exactly how or exactly do I place it? I just can’t picture what I’m I’m supposed to do.
I’m sorry I’m so dense!
Sarah
2016/09/27 at 1:09 pm (3 days ago)The picture may not be very clear. Place the foil between the battery and the coil. If the coil is loose fold the foil several times. Hope it works!