Question

what should be used to neutralize battery acid spills before cleaning them up?
soap and water
paper towels
brake clean
baking soda

Explanation:

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a base. When it reacts with battery acid (sulfuric acid), it undergoes a neutralization reaction. The chemical reaction is \(H_2SO_4 + 2NaHCO_3=Na_2SO_4 + 2H_2O+ 2CO_2\uparrow\). Soap and water mainly clean dirt, paper towels are for absorption, and brake clean is for cleaning brake parts, not for neutralizing acid.

Answer:

Baking Soda