To organize batteries effectively, remove the wrapping, arrange them based on their similarities, take and clean a clear and divided container and then organize your batteries inside the divisions in the container. Label each section and store the box in a cool and dry location.
You can learn about the process involved in battery organization in further detail below.
How to Organize Batteries (Step-by-Step Guide)
Follow these steps to ensure that you manage the process of organizing your batteries accurately and efficiently so that they can last longer.
Gather the Supplies
First and foremost, you will need to gather all the supplies and materials you might need to arrange and organize your batteries.
Ensuring that you have everything in place beforehand will make it much easier for you to carry out the process all at once instead of going to and fro. Make arrangements for these in advance of the date you want to sit and carry out the task.
Fortunately, most of these are materials that you are likely to have at home, so all you need to do is find them and keep them together.
In some cases, you might need to buy the materials. You can easily get them from a nearby stationery shop or simply order them online, but make it a point to check the quality.
Here are the things you will need:
- Clear plastic or a glass container or a storage bin with dividers and a sturdy lid
- Scissors
- Garbage bag
- Labeling tape
- Permanent marker
- Glue
Now that you have gathered all the materials, you can move on to the organizing process.
Collect the Batteries
The next step involved is to collect all the batteries lying around in your house. Make sure you check your drawers, cupboards, tabletops, or any other part of the house where you think you might have kept some stray batteries.
Do not hesitate to collect different types of batteries at this stage since you can sort them apart and arrange them properly later on. If you have recently bought new batteries, you should gather them as well so that you can manage to complete the organization process all at once.
This way, instead of getting up each time you remember another battery spot in your house, you can simply take the time to collect them from everywhere and arrange them properly in a single spot and location.
Remove the Wrapping
Now that you have gathered all the supplies and batteries, pick out the ones still wrapped in the same packaging they came in when you bought them. If you have some batteries stored together in Ziploc bags, you can pick them out as long as they are still in good condition.
Now, remove the batteries from their packaging carefully to not scratch or drop them. You can either use your hands or a pair of scissors if the batteries are tightly packed and difficult to push out by themselves.
If required, you can test some of the batteries out, especially the older ones, to check if they are still in a usable condition. Then, as you remove the batteries from their packaging, you can throw away the wrapper and keep the batteries together, ensuring that you keep each set in its group.
Divide by Type
Take a careful look at all your batteries. Keep the ones that are all of the same types in one group so that you can arrange them all accordingly. There are several ways in which you can divide the batteries up. For instance:
- Keep the old batteries apart from the newer ones since the older ones are likely to have already lost more capacity. Keeping them with the new ones can drain out both rapidly.
- Even within these two sets, you will need to create further divisions according to size and type. For instance, keep the AA batteries together and away from the AAA or C batteries.
Similarly, keep the alkaline batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and lithium-ion batteries separate.
- Keep single-use batteries separate from rechargeable batteries.
- Keep different brands of batteries in different sets as far as possible to avoid issues later on in the container.
Choose the Right Container
It is now time to choose the right container to store your batteries.
You can either opt for plastic or glass containers. However, plastic might be a better idea considering it is more flexible, affordable, lighter, and easier to manage, whereas glass comes with a higher risk of falling and breaking apart, damaging the batteries.
Another important element is the presence of dividers inside the box. They are crucial to keep each type or set of batteries apart so that they do not accidentally come in contact with each other and cause reactions.
This way, you can also keep the negative and positive poles apart. The dividers should also be adjustable enough so that you can create more space for a set of batteries that are higher in number.
If you can’t find a box with such dividers, you can simply make your own dividers and place them in the box.
Make sure that the box has a lid, too, unless you plan on placing it in a separate drawer of its own.
Arrange the Batteries
You can now arrange the batteries in the sections of the box. Start with one set of batteries and arrange them in one section, ensuring that you keep them in a way that all the poles are on a single side and facing parallel to each other.
You can now repeat this process with the rest of the batteries. Adjust the dividers as required to find enough space for all the batteries. You can also use two such boxes.
Label the Dividers
It can be a good idea to label the dividers so that you can immediately look at the sections in the boxes and tell where a particular type of battery is located.
This way, whenever you need to use one, you can remove it from its designated section without having to turn the box inside out.
You can use a labeling tape or simple paper for this. Cut a given part of it and paste it on the divider and use a permanent marker to add the label. You can also print the labels out and then stick them.
Store Safely
Close the box’s lid and place it on a shelf or inside a cabinet. You can also place them inside a drawer, such as a utility or tools drawer in your house, to make them easier to locate.
Make sure that the location you choose is high enough so that you can keep your kids and pets away from it. The temperature should also be a bit cool with low humidity levels to make the batteries last longer.
FAQs on How to Organize Batteries
Should You Store All the Batteries Together?
Keep your old batteries away from your new ones, so they don’t react. Keep each kind and size of the battery apart from the others to prevent sparks, and the poles of each battery should not come in contact with each other either.
Can You Use A Ziploc Bag to Store Batteries?
You can store your batteries in a Ziploc bag, a great alternative to the container storage method, as long as you do not mix them up.
Do Batteries Lose Capacity If Not Stored Properly?
Batteries tend to lose capacity if you do not store them properly. If you keep them in a bright and humid location or with opposite poles in contact with each other or even in a way that causes them to leak, they’ll lose all their capacity soon.
