How to Clean Car Battery Terminals With Vinegar

by Joshua Thomas

If you have ever been stuck out in the cold, trying to start your car and it just won't turn over even though there's a full charge, then you know how frustrating it can be. It may not seem like a problem that would happen often but when it does happen, you will want to know what to do before its too late.

The good news is that with a little bit of time and effort, this problem can be solved without much trouble at all! I'm going to go into detail about how you can clean car battery terminals with vinegar so keep reading if this sounds interesting.

The first step is to find a plastic container and fill it with water, vinegar, and baking soda. Next, pour the mixture over the terminals of your car battery. The goal is to create an electrolyte solution that will help dissolve corrosion buildup on metal surfaces such as cables.

How to Clean Car Battery Terminals With Vinegar
How to Clean Car Battery Terminals With Vinegar

Allow it to sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing off any remaining buildup with a wire brush or old toothbrush. Finally, rinse off all of the chemicals using fresh water from your hose or bucket and you're good to go.

  1. Find a container that is deep enough to hold the battery terminal and fill it with vinegar
  2. Put the negative terminal in first, then let it soak for about 15 minutes
  3. Remove the battery from your car and clean off any corrosion with a wire brush
  4. Rinse all of the components thoroughly before reassembling them back onto your car's battery terminals
  5. Pour some vinegar into an old coffee can or jar and place on top of the battery to help prevent corrosion from happening again in future months.

Will vinegar remove car battery corrosion?

Calyptus 45% Pure Super Concentrated Vinegar | Dilutes to 36 Gallons | 9x Power Cleaning Vinegar | Plant Based | Home and Outdoor | All-Purpose Cleaner, 4 Gallon
Calyptus 45% Pure Super Concentrated Vinegar | Dilutes to 36 Gallons | 9x Power Cleaning Vinegar | Plant Based | Home and Outdoor | All-Purpose Cleaner, 4 Gallon

Vinegar is a natural way to remove corrosion from car batteries. It's also safe for the environment and doesn't leave behind any residue. Vinegar has been used as a cleansing agent for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Greece and Rome.

Cleaning with vinegar is easy! Simply pour some vinegar into a bowl or pot of water, then submerge your battery terminals in the solution until they are clean again.


What is the best way to clean car battery terminals?

The best way to clean car battery terminals is with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. If this isn't available, use an old toothbrush or even just plain water. This will prevent corrosion and ensure that your car behaves as it should.

You are probably thinking, "yeah right, I'm not even going to read this post." But you should. It only takes a few minutes and the benefits of cleaning your battery terminals is worth it! Let's say you have two cars with dirty battery terminals that need to be cleaned.

You can either do one car at a time or clean both cars at the same time! If you're feeling ambitious, go ahead and clean them both now--it will take about 5-10 minutes total for both cars. Now let's say one year from now when life gets busy again (or if they never get cleaned).

The batteries in these two vehicles will start draining faster than they should because the corrosion on the terminal prevents electricity from flowing properly through.


Can you use Coke to clean battery terminals?

Coca-Cola, Coke Classic, Original, 12oz Cans (Pack of 18, Total of 216 oz)
Coca-Cola, Coke Classic, Original, 12oz Cans (Pack of 18, Total of 216 oz)

The internet is a big place. It's easy to find all sorts of advice and information on just about any topic, but it can be tough to tell what's trustworthy and what's not. One such piece of advice (rumored) that people frequently come across is the idea that Coca-Cola can be used as a battery terminal cleaner. I've seen this idea pop up in forum posts, emails from friends, and even on some websites devoted to home help tips for do-it-yourselfers; however, there doesn't seem to be much evidence behind this claim. After reading through various forums and articles out there on the subject, I found that most people who recommend cleaning battery terminals with Coke say they learned about the trick from.

I'm not an expert on cleaning car batteries, but I've heard of people using Coca-Cola to clean battery terminals. It might be worth a shot.


How do you clean car battery terminals without baking soda?

ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda, 13.5 lb (Pack of 2), White
ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda, 13.5 lb (Pack of 2), White

So you've got a dirty car battery terminal and want to clean it without baking soda? Well, the answer might surprise you! You can use water. Yep, plain ol' H2O does the trick in this case. Simply fill up a squirt bottle with water and spray down your terminals until they are completely wet. Let them sit for about 15 minutes then rinse off with fresh water before drying thoroughly with paper towels or an old rag. This will remove all of that crusty gunk that is on your terminals but without using any harsh chemicals like baking soda which could damage the metal of your vehicle's electrical system if not used properly.

  1. Baking soda is an abrasive and can damage the terminals if used improperly
  2. Soap and water may work, but you'll need to scrub hard to remove all of the corrosion
  3. Try using a toothbrush dipped in vinegar for a gentler cleaning solution
  4. Spray your battery with WD-40 or an equivalent product to loosen any corrosion that's built up on it
  5. Rinse off the terminals after cleaning them by spraying them with water from a garden hose; this will help wash away any leftover residue left behind from baking soda, soap, or vinegar
  6. If none of these methods work for you, consult your car manual for more information about how to clean your battery terminals without baking soda.

Conclusion on Clean Car Battery

The next time you need to clean the terminals on your car's battery, try a simple household remedy that is safe for humans and cars alike. Vinegar can help remove corrosion from metal surfaces - including those on batteries. Simply mix one part vinegar with three parts water in a spray bottle, shake well, then apply generously to both ends of the terminal cables. Let it sit for five minutes before wiping off any excess liquid or residue with a dry cloth. This easy DIY project will have your battery looking shiny and new in no time.

About Joshua Thomas

Joshua Thomas just simply loves cars and willing to work on them whenever there's chance... sometimes for free.

He started CarCareTotal back in 2017 from the advices of total strangers who witnessed his amazing skills in car repairs here and there.

His goal with this creation is to help car owners better learn how to maintain and repair their cars; as such, the site would cover alot of areas: troubleshooting, product recommendations, tips & tricks.

Joshua received Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University.

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