# Battery cables

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-cables/5906>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [October 13, 2007, 9:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-cables/5906 "2007-10-13T21:40:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![susieq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@susieq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/susieq)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2007, 9:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-cables/5906/1 "2007-10-13T21:40:38Z")

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please, what is the best solution to clean my battery cable connection from all that white stuff.??  
  
 Susieq

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**Author:** ![Scudder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Scudder](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Scudder)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2007, 10:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-cables/5906/2 "2007-10-13T22:04:31Z")

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Cleaning solutions do exist, try Autozone or Napa.

I just use near boiling water, then dry off and apply a coat of vaseline.

I usually do this once a year about now just before winter, always worked for me.

Also check that your connections are tight.

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2007, 10:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-cables/5906/3 "2007-10-13T22:24:20Z")

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I get good results with a solution of baking soda (like Arm & Hammer) and water, and scrubbing with an old discarded toothbrush.

BTW how old is the battery? If it is 4 yrs or more, you might also want to get it tested.

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**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2007, 10:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-cables/5906/4 "2007-10-13T22:41:19Z")

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The only sensible cleaning solution is some baking soda or baking powder dissolved in a cupful of water. Or you can buy a professional solution which is some baking powder or baking soda dissolved in a gallon of water.

Then wet a paper towel and wash off the white stuff. It will bubble and fizz; that means you’re going just fine. When there’s no more fizz, wipe everything down with a paper towel soaked in plain water.

Do not allow a water bridge on the battery surface that can connect the two terminals.