Seat belts are essential devices for the safety of car passengers; however, they can become soaked with sweat or get dirty with coffee and food splashes. Unfortunately, it is also very easy to forget them during normal cleaning, as a result of which stench, stains and even mold become quite common. To sanitize a seat belt you need to fully extend it, apply a light coat of cleaner and let it dry in fresh air.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Perform a General Cleanup
Step 1. Unfold the entire seat belt
Gently pull it forward until it stretches further; in this way, the whole band will be unrolled and you can clean the whole surface.
Step 2. Place a clamp near the coil
Follow the top path of the belt until you find the spool on which it winds. When not in use, most of the belt remains inside this element; applies a clamp to lock it and prevent it from rolling up inside the spool.
You can buy metal clamps in hardware stores
Step 3. Spray the belt with a cleaner
Multi-purpose products or specific products for fabrics are also safe on seat belts and are able to eliminate stains; you can buy them in supermarkets and they usually come in spray bottles. The multipurpose detergents are formulated to be used even on the most delicate fabrics, therefore they do not contain bleach; apply a light, even layer, not forgetting the underside of the belt.
- Alternatively, you can make an equal parts solution of water and mild pH neutral detergent, such as baby shampoo or dish soap.
- Vinegar and vinegar-based products are perfect for eliminating bad odors; however, these are acidic substances which, over time, can damage the integrity of the belt. Opt for baby wet wipes or fabric cleaners.
Step 4. Rub the belt
Take a stiff bristle brush and scrub the belt from the top to the bottom. do not follow circular trajectories and do not return the brush to the already cleaned areas. Proceed gently to avoid damaging the fibers.
You can apply a second layer of cleaner for stubborn stains
Step 5. Rub the fabric with a microfiber cloth
Surround the belt with a rag and drag it down to eliminate excess moisture; however, use only microfibre rags, as they are the most delicate on the seat belt fabric.
Step 6. Wait for the belt to dry
Leave it undisturbed for at least one night; if all the moisture has not evaporated in the morning, wait a little longer. It is very important that it is perfectly dry before removing the clamp and letting it rewind into the spool, otherwise mold could develop.
Method 2 of 3: Treating Difficult Spots
Step 1. Mix the cleaner with the water
Fill a small basin with warm water and add three caps of mild dish soap or all-purpose cleaner. Avoid bleach or vinegar products, as they can ruin the seat belt. Most patches can be managed with a mild detergent, regardless of its origin; you don't have much choice when it comes to soap, as many commercial products are too aggressive for this safety device.
Step 2. Dip a stiff bristled brush into the mixture
Wet it with soapy water to keep some detergent between the bristles; try to minimize the amount of moisture to avoid impregnating the fabric of the belt.
Step 3. Rub the stain
Move the brush from the top of the patch to the bottom, avoiding circular trajectories or climbing upwards; proceed gently, adding small doses of detergent when needed.
Step 4. Use a steam cleaner
For really stubborn stains, you can contact a professional or you can rent a steam mop or a "scrubber-dryer" vacuum cleaner; when you have applied the fabric cleaner or upholstery shampoo, slide the device on the belt setting the minimum level of humidity.
Method 3 of 3: Remove Mold and Bad Smells
Step 1. Pull out the seat belt
Again, you have to gently pull it to unwind it completely from the reel; by doing so, you will be able to see any mold spores and treat the entire safety device to get rid of the stench.
Step 2. Place a clamp near the coil
Find the spool where the belt rolls up when not in use and attach a clamp to prevent it from retracting.
Step 3. Prepare the cleaner in a basin
Pour about 15ml of bleach-free soap into 250ml of hot water. add 30ml of vinegar and mix the ingredients to create foam.
Step 4. Rub the belt
Use a soft-bristled brush to apply the cleaner to the fabric. Dip the brush and move it from top to bottom; do not follow circular trajectories and do not bring it back upwards. Proceed by applying small doses of detergent without damaging the fibers of the belt.
Step 5. Blot the belt with a microfiber cloth
Use a rag of this type to avoid adding more moisture that could damage the integrity of the safety device; squeeze the latter between the edges of the rag, gently rubbing it up and down to get rid of excess liquid.
If mold is a recurring problem, apply a special spore control product while the fabric is still damp; choose one that does not contain bleach
Step 6. Let it dry in fresh air
Wait overnight or until all moisture has evaporated. The belt must be completely dry before removing the clamp, otherwise it will become a breeding ground for the development of more mold and odors inside the coil.
Advice
- Do not use bleach as it weakens the fibers of the belt and does not prevent mold from reappearing.
- Regular air fresheners do not remove the stench that has penetrated deep into the belt, while products that break down odor molecules can be effective even without deep cleaning.
