Washing Soda vs. Baking soda for Battery Posts.

[George7941]

I did some searching on this forum and came across some posts dealing with using Baking Soda to neutralize the acid leaking from batteries.

I googled "washing soda"(sodium carbonate) and found that it is much more alkaline than baking soda(sodium bicarbonate) and should therefore be more effective in neutralizing acid.

So, why is no one using washing soda around battery terminals?

 

[MaximaGuy]

I actually use this method to clean the terminals -- it comes out sparkling clean (all the white gunk out in a minute and my kid loves to see that chemical reaction of foaming and buzzing).

 

[brianl703]

Probably because most people don't have washing soda on hand. I never buy it. In fact I can't recall ever seeing it on the shelf at a store.

 

[XS650]

Quote:

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I did some searching on this forum and came across some posts dealing with using Baking Soda to neutralize the acid leaking from batteries.

I googled "washing soda"(sodium carbonate) and found that it is much more alkaline than baking soda(sodium bicarbonate) and should therefore be more effective in neutralizing acid.

So, why is no one using washing soda around battery terminals?

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Baking soda does a good job. There wouldn't be much advantage to a more agressive soda for that job.

 

[porcupine73]

Baking soda is still basic so it will neutralize the battery acid leaving water and salts. It may take more baking soda to do it than something with a higher pH but it will still get the job done. I mean you could also use caustic soda or caustic potash (common in drain cleaners) if you wanted.

 

[Titan]

MORE basic isn't necessarily better. Just like EXTRA STRENGTH tylenol isn't neccessarily better. Bases are caustic, and can damage surfaces, much like Acids can damage surfaces. Take as little Tylenol as required to relieve your pain...your liver will thank you. Use as mild a cleaner/base/acid as possible to get the job done.

 

[mikeg5]

use coca cola. poor right on it, cleans the ---- off the posts fairly well

 

[mechtech2]

Availability.