How To Clean Battery Terminals: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

Skip to ContentQuizzes

• PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
• QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games Arts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and GardenRelationship Quizzes Cars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and StyleSports and Fitness Computers and ElectronicsHealthPets and AnimalsTravel Education & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and ReligionWork World Family LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationshipsYouth
• LOG IN

  Log in

  Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. Facebook Google wikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
• RANDOM

• Home
• Random
• Browse Articles
• TrendingNew
• Quizzes & Games
• All QuizzesHot
• Love Quizzes
• Personality Quizzes
• Fun Games
• Dating Simulator
• Learn Something New
• Forums
• Courses
• Happiness Hub
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow

• Log in / Sign up

Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow

• Categories
• Home and Garden
• Home Maintenance
• Electrical Maintenance
• Electrical Power Storage

How to Clean Battery Terminals (The Right Way) Download Article Get rid of chalky corrosion safely and quickly Co-authored by Charlie Payne and Eric McClure

Last Updated: September 1, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Car Battery Terminals
|
• Household Batteries
|
• Causes
|
• Prevention
|
• Video
|
• Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings

|Show more |Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was co-authored by Charlie Payne and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Charlie Payne is an Auto Repair Expert and the Owner & Operator of Perfect Reflections Auto Body based in Glasgow, KY. With over 21 years of experience, he specializes in auto restorations and collision repairs. Charlie is PPG and DuPont certified and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Liberty University. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 534,882 times.

Whether you’re dealing with the battery in your car or an ordinary household battery, batteries can develop corrosion. Grime, damage, and old age can cause acid to leak from your battery, which creates that chalky material on the terminals. To help, we met with automotive repair specialist Duston Maynes to get expert guidance on how to get rid of this corrosion safely and efficiently.

How to Clean Car Battery Posts

1. With a cold car, remove the battery terminals (do the negative terminal first).
2. Mix warm water and baking soda together to make a thick paste.
3. Apply the paste to your battery terminals.
4. Scrub the terminals with an old toothbrush.
5. Wipe the terminals dry before reattaching the battery.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

Removing Corrosion from a Car Battery Terminal

Download Article

1. 1 Lift the hood of your car and assess the condition of the battery. You do not need to remove the battery from the vehicle to assess it or clean it. Pop the car hood open and locate the battery. It’s typically on the front of the engine block on the driver’s side. Visually inspect the general condition of your car battery. If the battery is not cracked or leaking battery acid, you can go ahead and start cleaning.[1]
   • If your battery case has cracks, it’s swelling, or it’s actively leaking, replace the entire battery.
2. 2 Remove the covers on top of the battery to access the terminals. With a totally cold car, use your fingers to pry up the red and black plastic covers that protect the terminals. Examine the battery cables and clamps for excess wear or corrosion. Corrosion appears as a white, ashy deposit around one or both battery posts. If the cables and clamps are slightly corroded or have just a little buildup, follow the instructions below on how to clean them.[2]
   • If the damage is extensive (i.e. every inch of the terminal is covered in soot), you may want to completely replace the cables and clamps to avoid future problems.
   Advertisement
3. 3 Disconnect the negative and positive clamps on your car battery. Before cleaning the battery, disconnect the battery. To do this, loosen the nuts on the clamps using a wrench. Once loose, remove the negative clamp (marked with a “-”) first. Only after the negative clamp is removed, remove the positive clamp (marked with a “+”).[3]
   • The clamps may prove difficult to remove, especially if there is a lot of corrosion. You may need to use pliers to remove them.
     • Don’t worry about damaging the clamps with a wrench. If you need to use so much force that the clamps end up damaged, you need to replace them anyway.
   • If you do need to use pliers, be careful not to touch the tool to the car frame (or anything else metal) and the battery while working. This could potentially short out the battery.
   • Use a memory saver device to save your settings. Most modern vehicles will automatically save your radio, seat, and car settings when you disconnect your battery, but some models won’t. If you want to 100% ensure you don’t lose anything, use a memory saver device.
4. 4 Mix baking soda and water to make a thick paste. Maynes explains that baking soda and water are the ideal combo for cleaning battery corrosion. Combine 2–3 tablespoons (30–44 mL) of baking soda with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of distilled water in a small bowl. Stir the ingredients together with a spoon to make a thick paste. Keep stirring until all of the bits of baking soda are fully dissolved in the water.[4]
   • If you prefer, you can also use a commercial battery cleaner instead of making your own with baking soda and water. Just follow the instructions on the label to apply it to the battery terminals.
   • Put on safety glasses and rubber gloves. You’re extremely unlikely to get any battery acid on your skin, but it is a serious skin irritant, so take some precautions. Maynes says you’re best off wearing some protective eyewear and rubber gloves to protect yourself while you work.[5]
5. 5 Apply the baking soda paste to the battery connections. Maynes explains that you just have to dip an old toothbrush or a lightly damp rag into the baking soda paste. Rub the paste onto the corroded or dirty parts of your car’s battery. Once the baking soda is applied, you will see it bubble and foam as it reacts with the corrosion. Give the baking soda mix at least 5–10 minutes to soak in and loosen the corrosion.[6]
   • Be careful while you’re applying the paste. Although baking soda is generally safe, you should take care not to get it on other car components.
   • Warning: Maynes says, “Don't pour water directly onto the battery.” If you do, you could risk shorting the battery.[7]
6. 6 Scrape off corrosion deposits with the toothbrush. Continue scrubbing the terminals with your baking soda paste and toothbrush. Add more paste whenever the old paste wears away and keep scrubbing until the corrosion is totally gone.
   • There are special battery terminal brushes if you feel like you need something stronger and stiffer than a toothbrush. If the corrosion is that extensive though, you probably need to replace the battery.
7. 7 Clean the baking soda off by wiping it away with a damp rag. Spritz a clean cloth with distilled water and wipe away the paste. Keep refreshing your rag with new water as you feel it drying out and continue wiping until almost all of the baking soda is gone.
   • Be careful not to rinse the baking soda paste into the battery vents, as the baking soda can neutralize the battery’s acid and shorten the battery’s life.
   • The vents are located on the sides of the battery and are connected to long vent tubes that direct harmful gases away from the vehicle’s cabin.
8. 8 Wipe the terminals clean with a clean, dry rag. Maynes explains that it’s essential you dry the battery entirely before reconnecting it to your vehicle. Make sure that the terminals are completely dry by rubbing the dry rag over them 2-3 times. Be sure to use a rag that doesn’t have any grease or oil on it![8]
   • Don’t use paper towels for this step. The paper will shred, leaving you with bits of paper towel stuck to your battery terminals.
9. 9 Smear petroleum jelly onto the clean terminals to prevent corrosion. Dip 2 fingers into a jar of petroleum jelly and smear a thin layer across both the positive and negative terminals. Make sure your vinyl gloves are still on while you do this. Applying petroleum jelly to the now cleaned terminals will prevent corrosion from occurring again in the future.[9]
10. 10 Reattach the 2 clamps back onto your battery. To complete the cleaning, you need to reattach the clamps that you removed earlier to secure the battery in place and restore the electrical connection. Reattach the positive clamp to the battery first by tightening it with a wrench. Once it’s firmly in place, then you can attach the negative clamp to the negative terminal on the battery. Use a wrench to tighten that clamp in place as well.[10]
    • Once the clamps are on, replace the rubber or plastic shields covering the clamp/terminal junction.
Advertisement

Section 2 of 4:

Cleaning a Household Battery Terminal

Download Article

1. 1 Examine the battery cradle’s terminals and the battery for corrosion. Open the device’s cover to access the battery cradle. Remove the battery cover to inspect the degree of corrosion. Assess these old batteries for cracks and leakage. Mild corrosion will appear as black spots, more severe corrosion appears as a white, ashy deposit around one or both battery posts or terminals.[11]
   • If you find a battery that’s leaking acid (and not merely corroded), throw it away immediately. Any leakage is likely potassium hydroxide, a strong base. Be sure to wear skin and eye protection when cleaning out the battery cradle, as potassium hydroxide is caustic.
   • If a device is powered by more than 1 battery, it’s possible for 1 battery to be corroded and another to be in fine shape. Pull out any non-corroded batteries and set them aside. You’ll reinsert them later once you’ve cleaned off corroded batteries and the cradle.
   • The following baking soda cleaning method is just for any corrosion around the terminals, not for a leaking battery.
2. 2 Mix baking soda and water to make a cleaning paste. Maynes says that baking soda and water is the ideal option for cleaning any kind of battery terminal. Make your cleaning agent by combining 2–3 tablespoons (30–44 mL) of baking soda with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of water. Stir the components with a spoon to make a thick paste.[12]
   • Take care not to get baking soda on other electronic components—e.g., whatever electrical device the batteries that you are cleaning were housed in.
3. 3 Rub any corrosion off the battery terminals with a cotton swab. Dip a cotton swab into the baking soda mixture. Smear the baking soda paste onto the battery connections and the 2 terminals at the end of each battery using the cotton swab. Once the baking soda is applied, you may see it bubble and foam, as it reacts with the corrosion. Let it soak in for about 5 minutes.[13]
   • Warning: Wear vinyl dishwashing gloves while cleaning any battery corrosion. Take care not to touch with bare skin the white crusty buildup, as it is caustic and could burn your skin.
   • Be careful not to get any water on your electronics when cleaning.
4. 4 Wipe the battery and cradle off with distilled water and a cotton swab. When the foaming stops and there are no major deposits left to be scraped out, you’re ready to rinse off the inside of the cradle. Dip 1 clean cotton swab into a cup of distilled water. Then dab the cotton swab back and forth along the inside of the battery cradle. This will clear out any lingering baking soda and clean the connections so they’re ready to receive electrical current.[14]
   • Be careful not to get any water on any electrical components, or you could damage the electrical equipment.
   • Wait 15–20 minutes for the battery and cradle to dry out.
5. 5 Install the cleaned batteries and close the cradle. Put the cleaned batteries into the now clean battery cradle. If you set aside un-corroded batteries earlier, fetch them and put them inside the battery cradle as well. Then, close up the case or put the cover back on. Put some pressure on the plastic cover to make sure that it’s firmly in place.[15]
   • You’re now ready to resume using your electronics!
   • If your battery develops corrosion again, replace it.
Advertisement

Section 3 of 4:

Causes of Corrosion

Download Article

1. 1 Gas escape There are small vents on the side of every car battery that allow excess pressure buildup and gas fumes to escape. If a lot of those fumes end up escaping, the acid can cause corrosion on the terminals.[16]
   • You shouldn’t normally have any natural gas escape. If this is happening frequently, it’s a sign that something is seriously wrong with your battery.
2. 2 Overcharging If you have a rechargeable battery and you overdo it or you charged your battery recently after it died and let it charge for too long, overcharging can cause corrosion.[17]
   • Charging a battery causes the acid inside the battery to activate, which can cause fumes to build up in the battery if you let it charge too long.
3. 3 Damage Physical damage to a battery can cause corrosion. As the acid leaks out of the damaged battery case, it causes the chalky buildup you see.[18]
   • Do not use a damaged battery. Car batteries can explode if they’re not stable, and a damaged battery is a serious risk—especially if the battery is beginning to swell.
4. 4 Age Batteries naturally develop corrosion when they’re nearing the natural end of their life. Car batteries aren’t meant to last forever, so the corrosion could just be a sign that it’s time to get a new battery.[19]
   • Replace your battery every 3-5 years. Even if there isn’t any evidence of a leak, it’s important to replace your battery before a problem develops.
Advertisement

Section 4 of 4:

Preventing Corrosion

Download Article

1. 1 Inspect your battery regularly. Batteries will corrode over time as the gases they release interact with the surrounding environment. By checking your batteries periodically, you’ll spot corrosion before it really gets out of hand.
   • Remember, even a little bit of corrosion is a sign you’re nearing the point where you need to replace the batteries, so the earlier you spot problems, the more time you’ll have to deal with the issue.
2. 2 Keep your batteries safe and dry. Exposing your batteries to moisture, extreme temperatures, or physical damage may create a leak that produces corrosion. The safer you can keep your batteries when you’re not using them, the longer they’ll last and the less likely they’ll be to develop corrosion.[20]
   • Always keep batteries indoors! Do not store batteries of any kind in an outdoor setting.
3. 3 Avoid overcharging your battery. If you have a rechargeable battery, avoid leaving it on the charger unnecessarily for extended periods of time. Overcharging not only reduces the overall lifespan of the battery, but it increases the odds the fumes from the interior of the battery expand far enough to leak out of the battery, which will cause corrosion.[21]
Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question

• Question How do I check a battery for earthing? Community Answer It's not really customary for a battery. But, I'd say if the battery is buried or is upside down and its posts are in the ground, either of these would be earthed and wasting their power. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 4
• Question Can I get shocked if I touch a battery terminal? ConnorFisher Community Answer It's possible, but in most cases, touching the battery terminal won't shock you. Even if it does shock you, the battery won't seriously hurt you, since it only carries 12 volts. But, it's important to wear vinyl gloves so there's no chance of injury. And remove metal rings, watchbands, etc. Earthing while wearing a metal ring can burn through to the bone. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3

Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Read Video Transcript

Tips

• In some cases, the entire cradle of a household AA, AAA, C, D, or 9 volt battery may be removable from an electronic device. If this is the case, soak the entire case in water or a diluted baking soda solution to remove corrosion. However, in most cases you will have to patiently rub off the corrosion with a cotton swab, while the battery cradle remains in the device. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
• If you decide to use gloves for this project, make sure to select gloves that resist chemicals (e.g., vinyl gloves). If you don’t use gloves and your skin comes into contact with corrosive chemicals, rinse your hands under running water immediately. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

• Be careful when using water around electronic components. If you feel you cannot clean the battery terminals while keeping your electronics dry, don’t attempt to clean them. Instead, bring your device in for professional repair. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• Batteries contain strong acids or bases, both of which can burn your eyes and skin. Never try to open a battery. Any corrosion around the battery terminals should be considered caustic, since it can burn you. Use gloves and eye protection to keep yourself from being burned by a corroded, caustic battery. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Car batteries should be considered dangerous. Car batteries release hydrogen gas when charging or discharging, which means they can be explosive. Keep open flames away and avoid any sparking while working around a car battery. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Advertisement

You Might Also Like

How toClean Battery Corrosion and Build Up How to Clean Corroded Car Battery Terminals (Without Removing) How toRemove Car Battery Terminals How to Disconnect a Car Battery Like a Pro How to Connect a Car Battery How toMaintain Car Batteries How toClean a Car Engine How to Safely Neutralize and Clean up Battery Acid The Best Electrical Contact Cleaners & How to Use Them How to Use Household Ingredients to Clean Your Car How toChange a Car Battery How toMake Battery Cables How toCharge Your RV Battery How toCheck Car Battery Water Levels Advertisement

References

1. ↑ https://www.lesschwab.com/article/batteries/how-to-disconnect-car-battery.html
2. ↑ https://www.lesschwab.com/article/batteries/how-to-disconnect-car-battery.html
3. ↑ https://www.lesschwab.com/article/batteries/how-to-disconnect-car-battery.html
4. ↑ Duston Maynes. Automotive Repair Specialist. Expert Interview
5. ↑ Duston Maynes. Automotive Repair Specialist. Expert Interview
6. ↑ Duston Maynes. Automotive Repair Specialist. Expert Interview
7. ↑ Duston Maynes. Automotive Repair Specialist. Expert Interview
8. ↑ Duston Maynes. Automotive Repair Specialist. Expert Interview
9. ↑ https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/cleaning-and-organizing/can-you-use-vaseline-on-your-car-battery-terminals-and-why-you-may-want-to/ar-AA1EXqQV

More References (12)

10. ↑ https://youtu.be/kSkbTmtBZUc?t=161
11. ↑ https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/how-to-clean-up-battery-acid/
12. ↑ Duston Maynes. Automotive Repair Specialist. Expert Interview
13. ↑ https://youtu.be/AV3yQByNjsI?t=125
14. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-battery-corrosion/
15. ↑ https://youtu.be/AV3yQByNjsI?t=208
16. ↑ https://exchange.aaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/AAA-Car-Care-Battery.pdf
17. ↑ https://www.midtronics.com/blog/effects-overcharging-battery/
18. ↑ https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/know-when-to-replace-the-car-battery-8-key-warning-signs
19. ↑ https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/know-when-to-replace-the-car-battery-8-key-warning-signs
20. ↑ https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/know-when-to-replace-the-car-battery-8-key-warning-signs
21. ↑ https://www.midtronics.com/blog/effects-overcharging-battery/

About This Article

CP Co-authored by: Charlie Payne Auto Repair Expert This article was co-authored by Charlie Payne and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Charlie Payne is an Auto Repair Expert and the Owner & Operator of Perfect Reflections Auto Body based in Glasgow, KY. With over 21 years of experience, he specializes in auto restorations and collision repairs. Charlie is PPG and DuPont certified and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Liberty University. This article has been viewed 534,882 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 12 Updated: September 1, 2025 Views: 534,882 Categories: Electrical Power Storage | Automotive Tools Article SummaryX

To clean your battery’s terminals, first pop the plastic caps off of the positive and negative terminals by hand. Unscrew the negative cable by turning the nut on top of the cable counterclockwise with a socket wrench. Then, repeat this process on the positive cable and pull both cables away from the battery. To make the cleaning solution, throw on some nitrile gloves and mix 1 tablespoon (15 g) of baking soda with 1 cup (240 mL) of water to make a paste. Dip a rag into the paste and rub it over each of the terminals. Wait 5-10 minutes to let the paste foam and loosen up the corrosion. Next, grab a toothbrush and scrub the paste into the terminals. Use firm back-and-forth strokes to brush away the corrosion. Continue scrubbing until the corrosion is entirely gone. Wipe the paste off with a clean, damp towel. Then, rub a coin-sized drop of petroleum jelly into each of the terminals to lubricate them and prevent corrosion in the future. To finish, reattach the positive cable first before reconnecting the negative cable, and place the caps back on the battery. To learn how to prevent corrosion on your car's battery terminals using petroleum jelly, scroll down! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages Italian Spanish Chinese French Russian German Indonesian Dutch Czech Japanese

• Print
• Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 534,882 times.

Reader Success Stories

• 

  Stanislaw L.

  Jun 1, 2023

  "Worked great for me. There was mysterious blue stuff on the battery terminal, removed easily with baking soda..." more

More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. CP Co-authored by: Charlie Payne Auto Repair Expert Click a star to vote Co-authors: 12 Updated: September 1, 2025 Views: 534,882

Stanislaw L.

Jun 1, 2023

"Worked great for me. There was mysterious blue stuff on the battery terminal, removed easily with baking soda..." more

Anonymous

Jun 18, 2017

"The entire article. Storing the batteries, especially."

Ibrahim Imam

Oct 17, 2016

"This information is really helpful. Thank you so much."

Dominique Bouwer

Feb 1, 2017

"Clear steps and pictures helped. Simple guidelines."

Anonymous

May 14, 2017

"Just use petroleum jelly only, thanks." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

Do I Smell Bad QuizTake QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizTake QuizWhat Skin Type Do I Have QuizTake QuizWhat’s My Perfect Hair Care Routine?Take QuizWhat Dirty Soda Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Chakra Do I Need to Balance QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

How toClean Battery Corrosion and Build UpHow to Clean Corroded Car Battery Terminals (Without Removing)How toRemove Car Battery TerminalsHow to Disconnect a Car Battery Like a Pro

Trending Articles

Will I Ever Find Love QuizAm I Autistic QuizHow Sexual Am I QuizDiscover the Secret Meaning of Your First NameHow toPractice Kissing5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your Shape

Watch Articles

Amazing Super Bowl Party Ideas Guests Will Cheer ForHow toDevelop Listening SkillsHow toNot Lose Your GirlfriendHow to Draw an OwlHow toTreat AllergiesHow toIntroduce Friends to Other Friends

Trending Articles

What Would My Nickname Be QuizCan We Guess How Tall You Are QuizCan We Guess If You're Single or Taken?Depression Test for TeensHow toBe PrettyHow to Sleep Next to a Snoring Husband: Our 8 Best Tips & Tricks

Quizzes & Games

How Disgusting Am I QuizTake QuizFinish the Phrase QuizTake QuizWhat's My Hair Type QuizTake QuizFunny or Cringe? (Brainrot Edition)Take QuizHow Will I Die QuizTake QuizWhat Should I Do QuizTake Quiz

• Categories
• Home and Garden
• Home Maintenance
• Electrical Maintenance
• Electrical Power Storage

wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.

• Home
• About wikiHow
• Experts
• Jobs
• Contact Us
• Site Map
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info
• Contribute

Follow Us

×

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

Subscribe You're all set! X --783