To clean car battery corrosion, follow these steps:
- Safety first: Wear gloves and safety goggles. Turn off the vehicle and disconnect the battery cables, starting with the negative (black) terminal, then the positive (red) terminal.
- Prepare a cleaning solution: Mix about 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 cup of water to neutralize the acid corrosion.
- Apply the baking soda solution to the corroded areas on the battery terminals. It will bubble as it neutralizes the corrosion.
- Scrub the terminals with a wire brush, battery brush, or stiff toothbrush to remove corrosion.
- Rinse the battery terminals with clean water to wash away the corrosion and baking soda mixture.
- Dry the battery terminals and posts thoroughly with a cloth or let air dry.
- Reconnect the battery cables, connecting positive first, then negative. Do not overtighten the clamps.
Optional protective steps include applying battery terminal grease or using felt battery washers to prevent future corrosion. This method effectively removes the white or bluish corrosive residue that builds up from battery acid vapors, improving electrical contact and battery performance.
