Q: How can I clean my battery and battery terminals – safely?
A: Start by disconnecting the negative (-) lead from the battery. Now remove the positive lead. This will ensure the operation is safe for your car, and for you. Now, you can brush off any loose debris with a scrub brush or a toothbrush. Once that’s done, use a wire brush to clean the terminals. If you don’t have a wire brush, the carefully pour some white vinegar over the terminals. This will dissolve away any corrosion or discoloration almost instantly. At this time, if you deem it necessary, you can use a small brush and mild cleaning solution to clean the rest of the battery case. When it’s all done, use a piece of sand paper to ‘rough up’ the two terminals – and ensure a really solid connection to the leads. Now put a dab of grease onto each terminal and re-attach the positive lead first, followed by the negative lead. Make sure the connections are tight and solid. Finish off by putting a dollop of grease on each terminal and spreading it around to waterproof, and otherwise protect, the entire connection.
