White SeatBelts....how to Clean.....?

[Nuclear]

Hello all, I have white seatbelts and they are dirty.....black looking from being touched everytime I get in and my passengers touch them all the time. How do I clean them? I've tried everything.....

I know some bleach compounds will breakdown some fibers of the seatbelts, but I don't care,,,,,the seatbelts are soo filty dirty that it is dark looking, and little coffee spots' also....

I heard that OxyClean on a terry cloth and dabbing the seatbelts will work? I have not tried it but does anyone know how to clean seatbelts? please help?

[AeroCleanse]

Re: White SeatBelts....how to Clean.....?

Have you tried APC on them?

[roushstage2]

Re: White SeatBelts....how to Clean.....?

You could always unbolt them and soak 'em if they are that bad.

[Lydia]

Re: White SeatBelts....how to Clean.....?

Tyler's suggestion of unbolting and soaking them seems like a good idea to me. If I was soaking them, I would probably use Oxi-Clean. If you decide not to do that, though, I suggest Quik Out carpet and upholstery cleaner.

[AjNavo61490]

Re: White SeatBelts....how to Clean.....?

QID spray with a rough sponge?

[Nuclear]

Re: White SeatBelts....how to Clean.....?

....is this the strongest cleaners available?????.......

[roushstage2]

Re: White SeatBelts....how to Clean.....?

No. There is Super Degreaser cut at 4:1.

[Kevin Brown]

Re: White SeatBelts....how to Clean.....?

Man- I've tried to keep quiet on this one because I know how it's gonna sound, but here goes...
For me, the best and easiest way to clean seatbelts is:

1. Open the door and leave it open.

2. Pull the seatbelt so that it is fully extended.

3. Holding the seatbelt outside the car, shut the door so that it 'traps' the belt between the door and doorjamb. The rubber seal around the door helps to keep the belt from slipping.

4. Spray a water-based cleaner/degreaser onto the belt.

5. Hold the belt taut with one hand while you use the other hand to scrub the belt with a green, blue, or white ScotchBrite pad. Use and older one if you've got it, as they are a bit more gentle and contour nicely.

6. Using a pressure washer set on a low pressure (500-1000 psi @ 1 gpm approximate), rinse the belt. First one side, then the other. You must have a firm grip on the belt, and if you can have someone hold it for you, even better.

7. Once you've got the belt clean, use a clean towel to remove all excess water.

8. Open the door to release the belt. Leave the belt fully extended until dry. A couple ways to keep the belt from retracting are; Clip the belt into the opposing seatbelt clasp, or wrap the seatbelt around the seat in a manner as to not allow the belt to retract, or you can even use a large metal paper-clip or similar-style clamp, and attach it to the belt where it enters the retracting mechanism.

9. To fully clean the belt (the areas that were not outside of the car), you may need to place towels into the retractor-mechanism opening (to block excess water-entry), and lay towels directly around the area that the belt is lying upon. Spray the belt as previously listed- For back seats, or center belts that cannot be pulled to the outside of the car, laying the belt upon a thick cotton towel or two will protect the surrounding areas, while minimizing any water-splatter.

10. This method ensures removal of dirt, lotions, make-up, body-oils, and leaves the belts looking like brand new. Most importantly, thorough removal of soap or detergent is assured.

As for any arguments against use of a pressure washer ("It'll weaken the belt!"), I have seen no such proof that this method is detrimental in reference to belt integrity. Further, I'd even go so far as to argue that spraying cleaners onto the belts and then not fully removing the cleaner would be more cause for alarm than a pressurized stream of water.

I have been using this method since 1984 without ONE problem. Of course, protect all areas you don't want to spray high-pressure water upon. Even though a pressure washer is looked upon as 'brutal' or 'dangerous' to use on an interior, I ask, why is that? What is really the difference between emptying a bottle of solution dispensed via hand-held trigger, or through a hose?

A one-second pull of a trigger, attached to a pressure washer that puts out one gallon per minute, equates to 2.13 ounces of water being dispensed. If your pressure washer is set properly, the fan of water should not cause damage to your hand, in the event that the water sprays across it at a very close proximity. At this pressure-setting, no belt deformation or weaking should occur.

I currently have three small Karcher brand pressure washers, and neither of them will cut or abrade my skin, should I accidently blast it across my skin. I also employ this method using professional-grade pressure washers, and since they have pressure/flow adjusters, as well as the ability to change the fan pattern, they work exceptionally well.

Any references to having to 'drain the interior' will be ignored.
Already got an ear full last time a discussion such as this came up!

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10102&highlight=pressure+washer+interior&page=2

[Detail Werks]

Re: White SeatBelts....how to Clean.....?

I agree with Kevin and I use this process myself. By the way great write up.

[Newbeme]

Re: White SeatBelts....how to Clean.....?

Kevin, thanks for the write up. My son's Jeep Cherokee has tan belts and was formerly driven by a mechanic that didn't believe in Gojo or soap to wash after work. Your way sounds like just the process I need. Thanks again.

[cnfowler]

Re: White SeatBelts....how to Clean.....?

Pretty good suggestion. Much easier than removing the belt from the vehicle and soaking it like I would have suggested. I'll give this a try next time I come across some nasty seatbelts.

[getcha]

Re: White SeatBelts....how to Clean.....?

Sorry to chime in so late but I don't think youre supposed to clean them with anything other than just a light wipedown with water. I think I read something way back about NOT cleaning them because of failure. I could be wrong but look it up just to be safe, especially if youre gonna go at it chemically

[Nuclear]

Re: White SeatBelts....how to Clean.....?

anyone else have ideas..... I want a very strong and simple fix.... i don't have a pressure washer to hose off my setbelts. any really strong cleaners out there that I can use????

[Ryan L.]

Re: White SeatBelts....how to Clean.....?

Bleach....if they're white...but you'll have to be extremely careful not to get it on the car at all.

Ryan

[roushstage2]

Re: White SeatBelts....how to Clean.....?

anyone else have ideas..... I want a very strong and simple fix.... i don't have a pressure washer to hose off my setbelts. any really strong cleaners out there that I can use????

If you don't have a pressure washer and wiping them down while they are in the car isn't working, you will probably have to remove them and soak them in some APC/Degreaser like APC+.