To dissolve battery corrosion, you typically use a mild alkaline solution like a mixture of baking soda and water. This helps neutralize the acidic corrosion buildup often found on battery terminals.
Battery corrosion, often appearing as a white, blue, or greenish powdery substance on terminals, is a common issue, especially in car batteries or older devices. While it's a natural part of the battery's life cycle and doesn't necessarily indicate a faulty battery immediately, it can hinder the electrical connection and needs to be cleaned for optimal performance.
Simple Method for Cleaning Battery Corrosion
Based on common practices, including the provided reference, here's a straightforward method to tackle battery corrosion:
- Prepare the Solution: Mix baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) with distilled water to create a paste or a thick liquid solution. Baking soda is alkaline and reacts with the acidic corrosion, helping to neutralize and dissolve it. Distilled water is preferred over tap water as it contains fewer minerals that could potentially cause issues later.
- Apply the Solution: Dip a small brush (like an old toothbrush or a terminal cleaning brush) into the baking soda and water mixture.
- Brush Carefully: Gently but thoroughly brush the corroded areas on the battery terminals with the mixture. You should see a blue-green foam forming as the solution reacts with the corrosion – this indicates the corrosion is being neutralized and loosened. Brush away this foam carefully.
- Clean and Dry: Once the corrosion is removed, rinse the terminals with clean water (distilled water is best) and dry them completely with a clean cloth or paper towel. Ensure no moisture remains, as this could lead to future corrosion.
Important Note: Always disconnect the battery terminals before cleaning, starting with the negative terminal first, to avoid electrical shorts or shocks. Wear gloves and eye protection.
Why Does Corrosion Happen?
Battery terminals can corrode due to various factors:
- Acidic Vapors: Batteries, especially lead-acid ones, can release hydrogen gas and sulfuric acid vapors through vents. These vapors react with the metal terminals and surrounding air.
- Leaks: Small leaks of battery acid can directly cause corrosion.
- Overcharging: Excessive charging can lead to overheating and increased venting of acidic vapors.
- Poor Connections: Loose or dirty connections can create resistance, generating heat that accelerates chemical reactions leading to corrosion.
Maintaining Clean Battery Terminals
Even though corrosion is natural and normal for healthy batteries, regular cleaning is a good practice. It is recommended to clean your battery terminals every six months to prevent excessive buildup and ensure a good electrical connection. Keeping terminals clean helps maintain efficient power flow and prolong the life of your battery and connected devices.
Regular inspection for corrosion, along with cleaning, is a simple maintenance step that can prevent potential issues down the line.
