How to Remove Car Battery Corrosion

5 Easy Steps to Boost Your Battery’s Performance and Lifespan

Have you noticed something weird on top of your car’s battery after opening your car’s hood? Perhaps you’ve seen a buildup of either white, green, or blue covering your cables, terminals, or battery posts.

This is what corrosion on your car’s battery looks like.

It’s chemical garbage that reduces your battery’s performance and lifespan. This is commonly seen in old batteries or those with internal issues. If left alone, the corrosion can interfere with your vehicle starting up and can even cause damage to electrical wirings, causing an even bigger headache and a pricier repair receipt.

Don’t worry though. Battery corrosion may look intimidating, but cleaning it up is fairly simple. You don’t need to have any mechanical know-how to do it on your own. You only need to follow these five easy steps:

• Step 1: Disconnect the battery.

Unless you want to get jolted with electricity, you should disconnect the battery cables before you start to clean up the corrosion. Always remember to disconnect the negative battery cable from its terminal first before the positive one.

• Step 2: Inspect the areas with corrosion.

Check where the corrosion is forming as it can provide clues on what areas are damaged. Corrosion on the cables, for example, can be a sign that they need to be replaced.

• Step 3: Cleaning up the corrosion.

Removing the corrosion can be done with a special battery cleaning agent or a homemade mix of baking soda and water. Commercial-grade battery cleaners can be found in most car shops. They are the ideal ones to use. If no shop near you is selling these cleaners, make your own cleaner by mixing a teaspoon of baking soda with water.

• Step 4: Apply and rinse.

Apply the cleaning solution using a brush (an old toothbrush will do just fine) on your cable ends, battery terminals, and other areas where there’s corrosion. Cover it with a clear coat of the solution and pour water to neutralize the acidic corrosion. Repeat this until all signs of corrosion are gone.

• Step 5: Clean and dry.

Clean the terminals and cable ends with water and then dry them thoroughly. You can then reconnect the battery cables once everything’s dry.  Attach and tighten the positive cable to its corresponding terminal before doing the same to the negative cable.

Did You Know that Your Old Battered Car Can Be a Life-Saver?

If corrosion is not limited to your battery but has spread to other parts of your car, if having them fixed will entail expenses that are just too much for you, perhaps it’s time to let go of that vehicle. Don’t worry though — your old car can still serve a worthy purpose once you hand it over to us at Kids Car Donations. We’ll turn it into a lifesaver for the critically ill youth in your community.

We’ll auction off your vehicle to generate funds for the children’s nonprofit organizations that are working with us. These IRS-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits use the funding we give them to sustain their delivery of free comprehensive and quality medical assistance to indigent children and teens stricken with serious illnesses and disabilities. Our charity partners provide their young beneficiaries with free treatments and therapies, emotional well-being support, and other essential health care services.

Your charitable contribution will also benefit you in more ways than one. We’ll promptly mail to you the 100% tax-deductible sales receipt of your car after it’s been auctioned off, thus entitling you to claim the highest possible tax deduction in the next tax season.

We will also haul off your vehicle for free, and it’s up to you to pick your preferred time, date, and location for it. We can collect your donation anywhere in the United States.

Aside from the valuable material rewards in store for you, you’ll also savor that priceless feeling of satisfaction, knowing that your gift will be used to help improve and even save the lives of children in serious health conditions.

We welcome nearly all vehicle types regardless of their age, mileage, or condition. We’re talking not only about cars, trucks, and motorcycles but also unique and specialized vehicles such as golf carts, ATVs, and even motorized wheelchairs.

If you’d like to know more about Kids Car Donations or the specifics of becoming a vehicle donor, visit our FAQs page. For your inquiries or concerns, feel free to give us a call anytime through our toll-free hotline at 866-634-8395 or write to us here.

Help Those Hurting Children Today!

Your outdated car may no longer serve you well, but it can provide the means for a suffering child to get the treatment and health care they badly need. We’ll use your donation to improve the health and well-being of your community’s ailing children. Call Kids Car Donations at 866-634-8395 or fill out our secure online donation form now!