My method for avoiding the annoying white junk on battery terminals (have been doing this on '86 Mustang for years; terminals are original and still shiny). The corrosion won't occur if air can't reach the metal. After cleaning the terminals, coat them liberally with 85W-90 gear lube or any other heavy oil or grease; something that will stick around and coat the metal. Light oils or WD-40 don't hang around long enough. It helps to disassemble the terminal to make sure bolt threads are clean and oiled.
I haven't had to clean a battery terminal with baking soda in years; they stay clean.
