How to Clean Antifreeze Off Car Parts

Your car engine might get antifreeze on it if the car has a leaky radiator hose.

Antifreeze is the fluid that cools your car's engine. It is a poisonous chemical in the radiator. It is common for coolant to spill on car parts, especially the radiator, hoses and fan, if your car has a leaky hose or you slip up when you're adding antifreeze, for example. It is best to clean up the coolant as quickly as you can to keep it off your driveway or garage floor and prevent the smell from permeating the passenger cabin, but wait until the engine has cooled down a bit.

Things You'll Need

• Engine cleaner solvent
• Rags
• Wrench

Instructions

1. Disconnect both positive and negative cables from the terminals of the battery with a wrench.

2. Wipe the car parts with a clean rag to remove most of the antifreeze.

3. Use a second rag soaked in engine cleaner to remove the remainder of the antifreeze. Repeat the process if necessary.

4. Reconnect the positive and negative cables to the terminals of the battery with a wrench.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear gloves to protect your hands from the antifreeze and solvent.

• Antifreeze is poisonous to all living things. When you clean up, avoid eye and mouth contact with the antifreeze.

References

• Bimmer Forums: Cleaning Spilled Coolant From the Engine Bay
• Border Collie Rescue: Antifreeze Warning