Cleaning Corroded Battery Terminals – Introduction and Household Item

Corrosion is one of the biggest threats to car batteries. When it hits, the battery completely fails to perform effectively and can even force a replacement.

Unfortunately, many car owners don’t consider battery maintenance much. They only realize it when the car refuses to start, forcing them to spend a lot of money at the mechanic.

But did you know that you can easily clean corrosion without even disconnecting the battery? That is what we shall be looking at today.

Cleaning Corroded Battery Terminals with Alcohol

There are so many ways to clean corrosion from battery terminals. One of the easiest and most affordable options is using alcohol.

The best thing about alcohol is that you can easily get it. Most of us have it in our kitchens for disinfecting various items. But perhaps you just learned it could be used to clean corrosion off battery terminals.

Here is what you can do:

Rub Alcohol on the Battery

We all know that alcohol is quite effective in cleaning stains and spots. It also works great in cleaning battery corrosion. This is because alcohol is strong and acidic, which makes it effective in dealing with such issues.

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So, if there is battery corrosion, you don’t need to look any further for a solution. You should go for alcohol, and it will easily clean your battery.

Follow these steps:

Rub alcohol gently on the affected parts of the battery

Let it settle for a few seconds

Clean it off with a soft piece of cloth.

You can use a soft brush if the stains are too tough. This should get rid of all the corrosion and ensure your terminals are clean enough to allow efficient flow of electric current.

Using Isopropyl Alcohol

If you want the best remedy for cleaning corrosion, pick isopropyl alcohol. It is very safe to use the material and will work effectively on electronics. Many people who work with electronics use alcohol to clean different items. Besides, it’s quite easy to use:

Follow these steps:

Using a soft tissue or cloth, apply the alcohol to the terminals.

Keep rubbing the alcohol on the affected area until all the corrosion is cleared. If you notice that the first rubbing did not work, you can apply another later.

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Isopropyl alcohol is also preferred because it works much faster than other remedies. Also, it does not leave moisture and dries up very quickly. You can be sure all the corrosion will be cleaned effectively since alcohol reacts well with the particles in the environment.

Alcoholic Cotton Swabs

Another excellent alternative to cleaning battery corrosion is using alcoholic cotton swabs. Dip cotton swabs in alcohol and rub gently on the corroded battery terminals. It will work easily, getting rid of all the corrosion.

If you discover some hard corrosion on the battery, use a toothbrush dipped in alcohol to rub it off. The idea is to create enough friction and rub the surface more vigorously.

Clean Car Battery Corrosion Without Removing

Dirt tends to build up on the battery terminals after some time of use. There is also the process of sulfation, which also leads to corrosion, and it is not much you can do about it.

The most important thing is knowing how to deal with corrosion once it comes up. Your battery will not perform efficiently, which is a good reason to want an emergency service. Some people are quick to call a mechanic when their car batteries start showing issues.

For those who want to clean it, you must know the safest way to do it. As much as it seems easy to pour alcohol or any cleaning agent on the terminals, you need to consider the safety precautions.

In this case, is it safe to clean battery terminals without disconnecting them first? This is a very crucial question that you need to consider before your start any cleaning process.

Effects of Dirty Terminals and Risks of Cleaning a Connected Battery

Before we answer the question, let’s consider the effects of corrosion and perhaps mention something about the risks of cleaning without disconnecting. Dirty terminals cause leakage of battery acid, which leads to sulfation and, eventually, corrosion. This can significantly reduce the life of your battery if it’s not cleaned in time.

However, you must be very careful when cleaning terminals. There is a lot that can go wrong where the car’s electronic system is concerned.

It’s safe to clean battery terminals even when it’s still connected. However, for your own safety, we advise disconnecting before you do anything that may cause issues.

But if you choose to clean them anywhere, here is what you need to do:

Turn off the ignition. The first and most important step is keeping the ignition off during the process. As stated earlier, electrical conductivity is much stronger when the engine is running.

Open the hood and locate the battery. Next is to identify the battery compartment. Most cars will have it in the engine compartment, which should not be hard to find.

Rub alcohol on the terminal using a toothbrush or a soft piece of cloth. You don’t need to disconnect your battery for this process. Corrosion is easily noticeable by its greenish-bluish coloration. Apply the cleaning agent directly to the affected area.

Repeat as many times as you want until the terminals are all clean. Note also that finding the right cleaning agent is as important as the cleaning itself.

What Household Item Will Clean Battery Corrosion?

Cleaning battery corrosion is quite easy. You can use different household items, and they will work effectively. These include:

Cotton swabs. Soak them with alcohol and rub off the corrosion.

White vinegar and lemon juice. Acids in these items neutralize the bases that make up the corrosion on batteries.

Isopropyl alcohol. This is a safe and effective remedy for cleaning corrosion.

baking soda. Applying baking soda on the corroded surface will help to get rid of the problem.

The material you choose will depend on what you have ready. You don’t need to spend a lot of money cleaning corrosion. And, even though it’s an option, disconnecting the terminals before cleaning is highly recommended.