Question about alkaline batteries around cats

Okay, so I'm probably going to come off like a total nut--fair warning.

First of all, let me start off by saying this is my first post! I'm a complete hypochondriac when it comes to my cat. I tend to go overboard on the worrying and obsess over every little thing I find out could pose threat to a cat's health, so with that being said, please be very cautious about how you reply or what help you offer, because I don't want to go off the deep end and disinfect the whole house! Haha.

Okay, so... the remote to my TV has recently died. Usually if I give it a solid tap the batteries will start working again. Apparently they decided to finally poop out last night. This morning, while in a half-sleep state, I rolled over to turn it on and it wasn't working. I gave the remote a few good taps and, after that didn't work, I have it a few really hard ones to make sure it wasn't going to work. Well, when I opened the remote to change the batteries out there was alkaline powder leaking everywhere inside. I probably caused that from smacking it--ugh! Kicking myself. Anyway! I feel like the alkaline powder may have seeped out through the cracks of the battery cover when I smacked it against the wall (yes, lol, the wall), and now I feel like the entire head of my bed might be covered in corrosive, poisonous powder. I feel like my power strip, phone charger and everything sitting under that spot is contaminated. I also gave it a good smack against my bookshelf, so I feel like everything on it and all the stuffed animals just by it are covered in it as well. I realize I'm going beyond overboard--that's my nature, lol. Just looking for a little guidance and comfort that I don't need to disinfect these things. I already threw my sheets in the laundry! :/

Yes, I'm aware of how I sound. Ha! Thanks in advance.

When I've had battery dust around, I wipe it up with a damp paper towel until there's nothing showing on the paper towel.
I suggest a damp paper towel instead of dusting so you collect the powder instead of moving it around.

If the powder is on wood, just be certain to dry the surface with a soft cloth after the damp paper towel treatment.

Anything that's fabric, like a stuffed animal, I would vacuum or take it outside to shake it off, then wipe with a damp paper towel.

So -- you might use a bunch of paper towels, but this is not a big deal.

foxden said:

When I've had battery dust around, I wipe it up with a damp paper towel until there's nothing showing on the paper towel.
I suggest a damp paper towel instead of dusting so you collect the powder instead of moving it around.

If the powder is on wood, just be certain to dry the surface with a soft cloth after the damp paper towel treatment.

Anything that's fabric, like a stuffed animal, I would vacuum or take it outside to shake it off, then wipe with a damp paper towel.

So -- you might use a bunch of paper towels, but this is not a big deal.

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The thing is, there's no evidence of powder anywhere. You can't see anything. I can't exactly shake off my mattress. I think I'm just being nutty and over-worrying.

OK, so maybe you're overreacting.
Your mattress was covered by sheets, so there is not any powder that got through your sheets

Again, damp paper towel (not dripping wet) anywhere you think the powder went. If there is no visible powder, then you just damp-wipe once.

Isn't it better to do something if this worries you? Even if you can't see anything -- wipe the places it may have fallen so you can feel better about it.

Agreed - vacuum everything twice, and wipe down any surfaces.  Caustic potash (potassium hydroxide) - the electrolytic substance in alkaline batteries is a caustic.  Dogs are more likely to be attracted to it than are cats (the Tas1R2 protein is absent in cats, which, in conjunction with Tas1R3 protein forms sweet receptor), but be on the safe side and make as certain as possible that there's no errant dust.

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1CatOverTheLine said:

Agreed - vacuum everything twice, and wipe down any surfaces.  Caustic potash (potassium hydroxide) - the electrolytic substance in alkaline batteries is a caustic.  Dogs are more likely to be attracted to it than are cats (the Tas1R2 protein is absent in cats, which, in conjunction with Tas1R3 protein forms sweet receptor), but be on the safe side and make as certain as possible that there's no errant dust.

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I just wonder if this is even necessary because the batteries were in the remote with the battery cover secured over them. I'm literally think powder might've seeped out through the cracks of the remote, which I find to be a little ridiculous.

brdwybaby
It depends on if you believe powder came out of the remote. The battery compartment of this type of electronic device is not sealed, so powder might have come out.

That's why I recommended a quick wipe with a damp paper towel in areas you thought were exposed. This is not a lot of work and should keep you from obsessing about the "potential" problem.

foxden said:

brdwybaby
It depends on if you believe powder came out of the remote. The battery compartment of this type of electronic device is not sealed, so powder might have come out.

That's why I recommended a quick wipe with a damp paper towel in areas you thought were exposed. This is not a lot of work and should keep you from obsessing about the "potential" problem.

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You're right. I just didn't want to have to vaccum my mattress. [emoji]128553[/emoji]

I get that part, too.
If your sheets were on the bed, how would anything get on the mattress?