How to Clean Battery Corrosion

Corrosion can build up on your battery over time. Learning how to safely remove this corrosion can prevent battery issues.

Watch as mechanic, weekend racer, and #AutoZonePartner Tiffany takes you through the tips and steps on how to clean battery corrosion.

What You'll Need:
- Raven Powder Free Nitrile Disposable Gloves
- Monkey Grip Clear Safety Glasses
- Rags
- Baking Soda
- Water & Bowl
- Duralast Socket Wrench
- Rags
- Toothbrush
- Battery Terminal Cleaner Brush

Make sure vehicle is properly secured before performing any automotive work. Wear safety gear as recommended. These videos are intended as an instructional guide for repair. You may encounter slightly different situations with any individual vehicle. Always capture and dispose of or recycle toxic chemicals properly.

[JoshKnoxChinnery]

I followed this guide and did not electrocute myself. 10/10

[edweber]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video Tiffany! I don't know anything about the mechanics of cars and had a little corrosion built up so I went on YouTube and yours was the first and only video I watched! And because you explained it in laymen's terms, I was able to go out to my car and do exactly what you said, minus the gloves, and after repeating the baking soda and water application a few times, I got the majority of it off! Tomorrow, I'll remove the cables from the terminals, negative (black) first, give them a good cleaning, then spray them, then reverse the process with negative (red) first.Thanks again!

[OldTrancer]

Thanks very much for the video. Have been having a lot of odd, unrelated issues with the car recenlty and when I looked at the battery there was a lot of corrosion. Your video helped me clean it all up in 10 minutes. Many thanks.
In the UK what the US calls "baking soda", we call "Bicarbonate of Soda". Not to be confused with baking powder.

[JamesJones-dxzt]

Thx for the covering the POS w a rag, genius. And I like the remer wire brush. Love the YouTube University can learn how to any here and good little extra tips. Thanks for this!

[leoszwiec]

good job. you showed the right way, the safe way. I use a little brush and spread some grease on top and around the terminal. have a nice day

[DavidLLambertmobile]

Id suggest use piping hot water 💧 if available. I cleaned my Interstate car battery: July 2021 with baking soda, hot water. The terminals cleaned up fast! Some say to spray red protective coating which is fine.

[Othrst]

Thank you! Simple, brief, economical, safe.

[TraconWizard]

To remember sequence. If removing a battery your subtracting (-) it from the system. So do that 1st.
If adding (+) a battery to system do + 1st.

[cesium]

Wait so should I replace the battery if I see corrosion or clean it first? I love these videos as a woman. I don't have a lot of male friends so I try doing simple tasks with my car, the rest I let the mechanics do. 😊

[ngahjacob]

Thanks. Your video has answered my many douts that I had. Thanks once more for practical demonstration.

[sailorlucile]

An old mechanic told me to glue a penny about an inch and a half away from the terminal after cleaning the corrosion. The corrosion will start to grow on the penny and not the terminal. Just clean the penny off or put a new one on.

[omgthatsnene]

This was really good and she did a great job explaining. I need to clean mine and now i feel safe and brave enough to do this on my own. I do have one question, can i add anything to keep it moist like a lube or spray afterwards. And is it safe to use the car after you do this .. or do i need to wait a bit to drive or something? But thanks again for this video

[johnnylego]

Really awesome video! One of the best yet on the subject!

[borisl]

Thank you so much! I always forget which to take off first(vise-versa) so it was a great reminder :D

[skippyshake]

Is it advisable or necessary to use something like copper grease or conuctive silicone grease to protect the terminals/connections?

[static_Tricolor_camry]

I always wondered how to clean off the corrosion, it eats away the battery terminals.

[katzkatcher]

Only one more thing ... pull your oil dipstick and dribble oil on those clamps and posts. Corrosion can not start where there is no oxygen.I have been doing this for almost 40 years and it works.Make that 2 more things . Its November, check your antifreeze now !

[kennethrichmond]

Thanks. How do you clean the crimped part of the cable, when there is corrosion in there?

[chiliboom]

I’d say as well, don’t let the wrench touch not only the opposite terminal, but any other metal, once your wrench is on either terminal. It will ground and create sparks or start welding.

[RickRoberts-nb]

Good video; however, I have a problem with just the accessory terminal on the positive side being heavily corroded. You did not clean that, but I suppose I can apply the same procedures.