Cleaning seat belts - recommendations?

[NissanMaxima]

Hi all,
What products have folks found to clean lightly soiled seat belts? I bought a used Highander that was nearly immaculate except the seat belts could use some attention. My immediate go-to product would be Dawn dish soap. I see there are some dedicated products on Amazon but thought I would ask here what others suggest and have found to work. Perhaps a citrus-based APC?

 

[dishdude]

A splash of laundry detergent in a bucket with warm water and a soft bristle brush.

 

[ripcord]

Folex works pretty well to spot clean nylon carpets... should work well on seat belts. A mild solution of warm water and oxyclean would probably be good, too.

 

[BHopkins]

Woolite works well. Just let the webbing soak in a solution of Woolite and warm water, for 15-30 minutes. Then gently scrub the webbing. Rinse the webbing in warm water. Pat dry with a towel, then allow to dry before letting the webbing retract.

Woolite is one of the best at not changing the color or luster of the webbing.

 

[2009Caraman]

Make a paste with dish soap and baking soda. Rub in with toothbrush. Rinse after 10 mins.

This will get anything out. Blood, vomit, grass stains. Dont ask how I know that,

 

[Warstud]

A list of things you need >>>>>>>>>>

1 ) 1 Tote Lid or Equivalent - For laying the belt on while cleaning
2 ) 1 Bucket of Soapy Water With Laundry Soap
3 ) 1 Cloth Pin or Equivalent - To keep the Belt from being pulled in
4 ) 1 Soft Bristle Brush
5 ) 1 Bucket Clean Rinse Water
6 ) Paper Towels To Dry Belt After Cleaning

 

[NissanMaxima]

Thanks all. I should have mentioned I don't intend on removing the seat belts from the car but rather cleaning them in place.

 

[BHopkins]

Thanks all. I should have mentioned I don't intend on removing the seat belts from the car but rather cleaning them in place.

It never crossed my mind that someone would remove a seat belt to clean the webbing. The method that @Warstud outlines, without the details, is the only method I'm familiar with. And it works very well.

Since you only asked what cleaner others preferred, and not how, I assumed you already knew the how. I really recommend trying the Woolite. IMHO, it is the best choice for cleaning seat belt webbing. That is assuming you haven't already cleaned the seat belts with something else, and have already seen a difference in the webbing. In that case, it doesn't matter any more.

 

[NissanMaxima]

@BHopkins - thanks! Warstud's comment about laying the belt on a tote lid made me think he thought I would be removing the seat belts. Upon rereading his message, I now understand he didn't think that at all. Sorry. What I'm worried about most is the extraction of the detergent. After detergent application, can sections of the belt be submersed in the bucket of clean water? Perhaps soaking the belt with clean water and using a wet dry vac? Woolite seems like a good option. We use that a lot at home here!

 

[Warstud]

@BHopkins - thanks! Warstud's comment about laying the belt on a tote lid made me think he thought I would be removing the seat belts. Upon rereading his message, I now understand he didn't think that at all. Sorry. What I'm worried about most is the extraction of the detergent. After detergent application, can sections of the belt be submersed in the bucket of clean water? Perhaps soaking the belt with clean water and using a wet dry vac? Woolite seems like a good option. We use that a lot at home here!

Submerge the belt in the Soap Bucket to soak ...... then remove belt and lay Tote upside down on seat and scrub with brush . After washing .......... submerge belt in Rinse Bucket and run the belt thru your fingers to squeeze out soap and dirt . Dry off with Towel and Paper Towels ...... then leave out to dry .

 

[NissanMaxima]

Thanks Warstud. I'll give it a whirl. I like the submersion approach to thoroughly rinse out the detergent etc. I'll report back with results. Appreciate everyone here.

 

[BHopkins]

One little piece of advice. Spread a couple old towels across the seat, before putting the bucket, lid or such on the seat. This will keep the seat from getting soaked with the cleaning solution or water.

Oh, I thought of one other thing. @Warstud suggested using a clothes pin to hold the webbing out. You can also use a spring loaded shop style spring clamp. They have a lot more squeeze force, and are less likely to slip.

 

[bonjo]

I clean mine when needed with water mixed with either washing up liquid or plain car shampoo/ detergent.
Pull out the belt fully and lock it in place, then use washing up sponge. Repeat the process but with water only.
Leave ot to dry.

 

[Gus_Mahn]

I usually just pull them all the way out, close the door, and lightly pressure wash them against the car with a mild soap if need. If the lower part is not a retractor, unbolt it, keep the metal away from the paint.

 

[ryanschillinger]

X2 on what Gus said. What cleaner you use will depend a lot on how dirty they are. Our Tacoma had some really nasty, almost sticky belts. I used 3d grand slam degreaser about 10:1 on them pulled all the way out shut in the door. Scrub with a soft brush and rinse. Repeated a couple times until rinsed clear. If the paint was decent I’d have been a little concerned about degreaser on it but it worked great and didn’t affect the finish even though it’s already fairly rough. An APC would be my choice if these weren’t so bad.

 

[kkreit01]

There's a couple of youtubes I've watched. I've successfully done our daughter's old cars within the past few years. They were 17 yrs old, and nasty! First of all, pull them all the way out and use a vise grip or hand clap to keep them out. One method involves soaking them on a bucket of warm, soapy water. I simply laid an old towel across the seat, and because spraying 409 de-greaser, or your favorite all purpose cleaner on them. Let it soak awhile, and then wipe with a damp cloth (also sprayed with cleaner) until clean. I used some Oxy wipes for wiping -- which worked good. Leave the belt extended, and let dry in the sun.