Last Updated on February, 2025
Flashlights are one of those things that you think you know everything about until you realize you have no idea how to clean them.
As with any tool, maintenance can extend the life and quality of a flashlight. And if you don’t want to replace your flashlights every 3-5 business days, PROPER care is necessary.
But I’ve got your back if you don’t know where to start!
This article will cover how to clean the interior and exterior of your flashlight, how to clean out corroded batteries from your flashlight, and bonus tips on flashlight maintenance!
Table of Contents
Quick Summary
To clean the exterior of your flashlight, use a damp cloth or brush to remove dirt and grime, and then wipe it down with a dry cloth.
To clean the interior of your flashlight, remove the batteries and clean the battery contacts with a lint-free or microfiber cloth.
To clean out corroded batteries from your flashlight, wear gloves and extract the batteries from the flashlight. Clean the contact point with a cotton swab dipped in lemon juice or vinegar, and then rinse the flashlight in water and dry it with a towel.
How to Clean the Exterior of the Flashlight?
Cleaning the exterior of your flashlight is a pretty easy task.
It’s just a matter of wiping down the outside of your flashlight after each use to remove moisture and prevent the buildup of dirt and grime that can be difficult to get rid of down the line.
You can do this using a simple damp cloth. Once you do this, ensure to wipe off any lingering moisture with a dry cloth. Microfibers and lint-free fabrics are also good alternatives you can use.
If your flashlight has a ton of grooves and hard-to-reach nooks and crannies, use a small brush (like a toothbrush) to clean those areas.
If you haven’t been regularly wiping down the exterior of your flashlight and some hardcore cleaning is necessary, use an alcohol pad or a fast evaporating cleaner to ditch the crustiness.
However, ensure that the cleaner you use is suited for the material your flashlight is made of.
For example, you shouldn’t use alcohol on rubber because it dries the rubber out and can lead to cracking. Instead, you can use cleaners specifically aimed at rubber that you should be able to find at hardware stores.
How to Clean the Interior of the Flashlight?
Now for the part that may trip some people up.
Flashlights are generally sealed shut with o rings, which keep out all the grime pretty well.
But that doesn’t mean you should say out of sight, out of mind, and go about life completely ignoring the inside of your flashlight.
You need to occasionally check the batteries in your flashlight for corrosion because they can diminish your light. I’ll cover how to clean out corroded batteries in just a bit.
If your batteries haven’t leaked and corroded, you can wipe the battery contacts with a lint-free or microfiber cloth.
How to Clean Corroded Batteries Out of a Flashlight?
Why Do Alkaline Batteries Leak?
Alkaline batteries are made with a liquid electrolyte known as potassium hydroxide.
This substance is very corrosive, and it slowly eats away at the battery’s casing over time.
Subsequently, this creates hydrogen gas that builds up pressure within the battery, causing the chemicals inside to leak out of their canister.
Ultimately, the potassium hydroxide itself will leak out, and it can cause skin and eye irritation if you come into contact with it. It can also cause considerable harm to your flashlight.
The risk of battery corrosion is higher if you don’t use your flashlight very often.
How to Clean Out the Corroded Batteries?
Make sure to wear gloves when you attempt to extract the damaged batteries from the flashlight to prevent any adverse effects from the potassium hydroxide.
Removing the batteries can be difficult, and if you fail to do it altogether, it’s most likely that the damage is irreparable and that your flashlight is now in a better place.
Once you’ve removed the batteries, clean the contact point with a cotton swab dipped in lemon juice or vinegar to neutralize the potassium hydroxide. If the damage is pervasive, you could also soak the flashlight in the vinegar for a few minutes.
Once thoroughly cleaned, you can rinse the flashlight in water and dry it with a towel before you allow it to air dry.
Once your flashlight is completely dry, you should be good to go!
Tips on How to Maintain a Flashlight Well
Ensure Proper Storage
Store your flashlight in a dry safe place, away from direct sunlight, to ensure that you can make the maximum use of your tool.
To prevent the corrosion of batteries from sapping the life out of your flashlight, make sure you don’t store batteries in places subject to drastic temperature changes (for example, in a vehicle).
Store the Batteries Outside the Flashlight
Keep your batteries outside your flashlight, especially if you don’t find yourself using your flashlight often.
Then, even if your batteries do leak, they won’t cause damage to your flashlight.
You can keep your batteries in a battery caddy to keep them safe and prevent them from short-circuiting each other.
Pay Attention to What Batteries You Use
To prevent corrosion, ensure that you don’t put damaged batteries into your flashlight because damaged batteries are likely to have weakened cell walls, which can lead to leakage.
Additionally, don’t use batteries of varying brands or discharge states in your flashlight because it leads to reverse charging, weakening the batteries and invariably leading to corrosion.
Finally, a further step to prolong your flashlight’s lifespan is to get one that can be powered using lithium batteries because they perform better in cold weather and are also less prone to leaking compared to alkaline batteries.
Bottomline
Flashlights, like all other tools, require regular cleaning and maintenance.
And it’s not too difficult to do!
So, ensure that you follow the steps in this article to clean your flashlight every once in a while.
Take care of your flashlight by storing it correctly, using proper batteries, etc., because it’s easier to prevent corrosion than to deal with the damages.
And before you know it, you’ll be the proud owner of a flashlight that’s in perfect condition!
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