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Corrosion on your car's battery will literally stop your car from starting if enough it builds up around the posts and/or cables. Cleaning off this corrosion on the battery is one of the easiest self-maintenance tasks you can perform on your own car. To know if your battery has corrosion on it, simply pop the hood, locate the battery and then inspect the cables and the clamps on the top of the battery.

Corrosion deposits on the battery are white and greenish and look sort of like bubbles that have become stiff. If you see this on the battery of your car, there are quick and easy ways to get your battery clean again to insure the longest battery life possible.

If you are going to work on your battery, first put on safety glasses and wear rubber gloves to protect your eyes and skin. The battery is full of acid and some of this acid may be in the corrosion deposits.

Only a few materials are needed to properly clean corrosion off of the battery posts, wires and cables for the first method of choice.

goggles
toothbrush, paint brush or steel wool.
baking soda
water
clean cloth

Sprinkle baking soda on the battery posts, the wires and the cables where ever corrosion is visible. Add water and wait a few minutes. Most of the corrosion will dissolve on contact. For remaining amounts, simply rub or brush with one of your chosen cleaning abrasives. Repeat as needed.

If the clamps or terminals are badly corroded at the battery, you can easily disconnect them. You may need pliers for this and/or wrenches to fit. Dry off the battery with a cloth to prevent splashing of the solution if you have already applied the baking soda. Disconnect the negative cable first, then the positive.

Mix a solution of baking soda and water. Use a cloth to apply solution to the cables and wires. Dry the battery and all connectors, cables and wire before reconnecting. Reconnect the cables by connecting the positive cable first, then the negative. Remember to always wear your gloves and goggles. You are working with materials that possibly have acid on them.

The second method is for a really quick clean. A can of carbonated soda is all you need. Pop the hood and pour the can of soda on the battery. Watch the corrosion dissolve! Almost any soda will do. Gloves and goggles are also needed for this procedure as some of the acid could splash onto your skin or in your eyes. Rinse the battery with water.

A clean battery will help enable a sure start of your car's engine each and every time. Follow maintenance guidelines of your vehicle and check your battery often. The sooner you clean corrosion from a battery, the easier it is to control and eliminate damage corrosion will cause. Clean batteries make for dependable batteries. Dependable batteries help ensure a car you can count on when you turn the key.

Learn more about this author, Peggy Deseure.
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