We are living in a world full of innovations and modernizations. With that, we cannot deny how important battery terminals are. Alkaline batteries are used to run our mobile devices. On the one hand, car batteries run our vehicles. We can say that living without batteries won’t be easy. This is the reason we should ensure that our car batteries are running efficiently and in good condition.
A lot of people find cleaning car battery terminals a daunting task. If you are one of them, you don’t have to worry anymore. You can clean your car battery terminals with vinegar. In this post, we are going to show you simple tips to follow when cleaning your batteries with vinegar. Read on to know further.
Easy Steps to Clean Your Car Battery Terminals with Vinegar
You don’t need to purchase expensive products to clean your car battery terminals. In fact, you can use some kitchen products, such as vinegar, when performing the job. Vinegar is known as one of the best cleaning agents. You can notice the best results when you pair it with baking soda.
If you notice some issues with your car battery, you should address them immediately. There are several methods you can follow to clean your battery terminals. One of these is the use of vinegar with baking soda.
What You’ll Need:
- Clean Rags
- Petroleum Jelly
- Spray Bottle
- Bristle Brush
- One to two tablespoons of baking soda
- One cup of distilled white vinegar
- Safety gear
- Basic tool kit
Procedure:
As a car owner, it is your job to know and understand the steps to follow to make sure that your vehicle is working properly. At least, make sure to determine the easiest and simplest way to clean your car battery terminals, which is through the use of vinegar and baking soda.
Here is a short video for you to watch to completely understand the steps of cleaning a car battery terminal with vinegar.
Tips and Tricks:
- Even though vinegar is one of the effective cleaning agents, using it alone to clean your car battery terminals won’t be very effective. If you notice corrosion on the battery terminals, mix baking soda with vinegar.
- Cleaning your car battery terminals with vinegar can be done easily and conveniently. This means that hiring a professional mechanic to perform the work won’t be a requirement anymore. On the one hand, hiring your trusted mechanic would be the best option, especially if you don’t have enough time to clean your car battery alone.
- Cleaning products that are composed of citric acid are the most effective cleaning agents to clean your car battery terminals. Aside from vinegar, you can also use a can of Coca Cola as your battery terminal cleaner. If your vehicle suddenly stops working because of corrosion, cleaning your battery terminals with Coca Cola could be the most convenient way.
Warnings:
- Car batteries are explosive, which may pose risk to an unskilled person who will try to clean it. Batteries release hydrogen gas, especially when discharging and charging. Make sure to do the cleaning job in an area far from a possible fire source.
- Avoid using water when cleaning your car battery terminals. Before starting the cleaning process, make sure that the terminals are dry.
- When handling batteries, be more mindful and extra careful as they contain strong acids or bases. These compounds are very risky as it could burn your eyes and skin. When getting rid of the corrosion from the battery, make sure to wear gloves, goggles, and other protective equipment.
The Final Verdict
Assessing the damage level is the first thing to do when cleaning the car battery terminals. If the damage level is very high, it would be best to work with a professional mechanic. If your batteries are completely damaged, you need to replace them with a new one. Overall, cleaning your battery terminals regularly is a cost-effective option compared to buying a new one.
The finest cleaning chemicals for severely corroded battery terminals are white vinegar and baking soda. Avoid using apple cider vinegar for this task, though.
Dear Oliver,
Thank you for sharing!
Yes, white vinegar and baking soda are effective cleaning agents for corroded car battery terminals. Both substances have acidic properties that can break down corrosion and help remove it from the battery terminals.
However, it’s important to note that while apple cider vinegar can also be acidic, it may not be as effective as white vinegar for cleaning corroded car battery terminals.
Additionally, apple cider vinegar may contain sugars or other substances that could leave a residue on the terminals, which could affect their performance.
Therefore, it’s generally recommended to use white vinegar or a specific battery terminal cleaner for this task.
Best wishes! ❤️