The water does not need to be hot, the chemical reaction happens no matter what. Yes, that will clean them, but the corrosion comes back fast. No matter what. Clean, dry, dilectric... those terminals suck.
The hot water cuts through the corrosion/chalk much faster, cleans the top of the battery better, and dries much faster than cold water. The only time I have had to clean my battery posts on any of my cars is when I replace my battery. I just had to change the battery in 2009 Vibe, which had the original factory battery in it, and it had no corrosion on the terminals. The battery is still good but I needed a battery for another project so the new battery went into the car. When I put the new battery in, I brushed out the terminals to shinny clean and sprayed some CRC battery terminal protector on the posts and terminals, then I put the terminals on the battery posts. All I can say is keeping the battery clean goes a long ways and if the corrosion comes back then all the acid was not removed and neutralized when they were cleaned. It is very hard to get the acid out of the cable once it gets that far as the cable strands will wick the acid far into the cable. At that point you are better off replacing the whole cable to prevent the corrosion from coming back.
Any recommendations on a replacement part? Thanks much!
I would just get replacements cables from the parts store or from Toyota if you want what is close to what came on it from the factory.