The Best Way to Clean Dirty Seat Belts in Your Car

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Remove mold, staining, and grime from a dirty seat belt
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Seat belts are integral to the safety of any person in a car—but they also collect sweat, coffee spills, and food stains over time. It’s easy to forget about the seat belt when cleaning the rest of the car, which means that stains, smells, and mold growth aren’t unusual. Follow the quick and easy list of steps below to clean your seat belts of mold, odor, and general grime.

How to Clean a Car Seat Belt

Pull the seat belt out and fasten it with a metal clamp. Spray the belt with an all-purpose cleaner. Use gentle, downward motions to scrub the belt with a stiff-bristled brush. Wipe the belt with a microfiber towel and let air dry completely.

1

Pull the seat belt out and clamp it in place.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Seat Belt
    Firmly pull the seat belt toward you until it’s stiff and no longer has any give. Follow the belt strap upwards and locate the reel (where the majority of the belt is stored when not in use). Place a metal clamp right next to the reel and fasten it to the belt. [1]
    • You can find metal clamps at most hardware stores.
    • As you pull, keep an eye out for any mold spores or noticeable stains on the belt.
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2

Spray the belt with an all-purpose cleaner.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Seat Belt
    “Spray your cleaning solution straight onto the seatbelt” to create a light, even coating, says auto detailing expert Chad Zani. [2] Cover the front-facing fabric as well as the underside of the belt.
    • These cleaners can be found at any general store or hardware store and usually come in spray bottles.
    • A mixture of equal parts of a gentle, neutral pH detergent such as Dawn dish soap or a baby wash and water can be used as a cleaner instead.
    • Don’t use bleach to clean a dirty seat belt. The bleach will weaken your seat belts, and it doesn’t do anything to prevent mold growth.
3

Scrub the belt with a stiff-bristled brush.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Seat Belt
    Start at the top of the belt and move downwards. Move the stiff-bristle brush back and forth over the belt in the same directions that the fibers are facing. Don’t move the brush in circles or move upward along the belt. [3]
    • Scrub gently—too much force over time may degrade the fabric of the seat belt.
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4

Clean stains with a 3:1 cleaner-to-water solution.

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    Fill a container with 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water. Add 3 cups (710 mL) all-purpose cleaner, fabric cleaner, or gentle dish soap. Pour the solution into an empty spray bottle and spritz it onto any stains. [4]
    • Gently scrub the stains with a stiff-bristle brush . Use straight strokes rather than circular scrubbing motions.
    • If you have a steam machine , this device is actually the most effective way to clean really stubborn stains. Once you’ve added a coating of fabric cleaner or upholstery shampoo, run the machine over the belt on a low moisture setting.
5

Remove mold and odor with a baking soda scrub.

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    Mix 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) baking soda with 1 cup (240 mL) warm water. Alternatively, combine one tablespoon (15 mL) of a non-bleach dish soap into a cup (240 mL) of warm water and add two tablespoons (30 mL) of vinegar. Stir your mixture well until all the components are well-mixed. [5]
    • Dip a soft-bristled scrub brush or unused toothbrush into the solution.
    • Gently scrub the seatbelt with the brush, moving downwards from the top of the belt. Don’t move the brush in circles or go back upwards.
    • Continue until the seat belt fabric has a thin, even coating of cleaning solution covering it.
    • For recurrent mold issues, spray on a mold preventative such as Concrobium Mold Control or Mold Armor while the belt is still damp.
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6

Wipe the belt down with a dry microfiber towel.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Seat Belt
    Wrap the towel around the belt and gently move the towel up and down. Squeeze gently to remove excess moisture.
7

Let the seat belt air dry for at least 8-10 hours.

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    Leave the belt alone at least overnight (with the metal clamp still fastened). If it’s not completely dry the next day, leave it for longer. If you unclamp the seat belt too early, it’ll create an ample breeding ground for mold and nasty odors inside the reel. [7]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I get coffee out of a seat belt?
    Chad Zani
    Auto Detailing Expert
    Chad Zani is an Auto Detailing Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. He and his team are auto detailing experts that offer detailing and car care services.
    Chad Zani
    Auto Detailing Expert
    Expert Answer
    Spray a cleaning solution straight onto the seatbelt, then scrub it vigorously with a microfiber cloth. You can also use a medium-strength brush, but be gentle with the pressure, or the seatbelt will start to fray and look shabby.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5
  • Question
    Can I use tissue paper instead of the micro fiber towel?
    Community Answer
    No. Tissue paper is thinner than the towel, and therefore its use isn’t advised to clean a seat belt.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 5
  • Question
    Could I use tissue paper instead of the "micro molecule" thing?
    Community Answer
    It is not advised, as tissue paper could break up and affix to your seat belt, making it appear dirtier than before.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      Tips

      • Common air fresheners won’t remove odors deep in the seat belt, but odor eliminators may work to mask mild odors.
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      • Try not to soak the belt in water or cleaning solutions. If it becomes too wet, it’ll take longer to dry. This will not only be inconvenient for you, but it also makes mold growth more likely.
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      • If you’d like to clean the straps of a car seat, wipe them down with baby wipes or a mixture of water and gentle soap.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.home-ec101.com/theres-mildew-on-my-seatbelts-what-do-i-do/
      2. ↑ Chad Zani. Auto Detailing Expert. Expert Interview. 2 October 2019.
      3. ↑ https://www.fortador-usa.com/blog/how-to-clean-car-seat-belts-car-seats-belt-cleaning-with-steam-machine
      4. ↑ http://www.autoblog.com/article/how-to-clean-seat-belts-autoblog-details/
      5. ↑ https://automart.ph/blog/how-to-clean-the-seat-belts-in-your-car
      6. ↑ Chad Zani. Auto Detailing Expert. Expert Interview. 2 October 2019.
      7. ↑ https://www.fortador-usa.com/blog/how-to-clean-car-seat-belts-car-seats-belt-cleaning-with-steam-machine

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clean a seatbelt, start by pulling it all the way out and placing a metal clamp near the belt reel to hold the seatbelt in place. Then, spray the seatbelt on both sides with an all-purpose cleaner, or use water mixed with dish soap instead. Once you've coated the seatbelt, begin scrubbing it from the top downwards with a stiff-bristled brush. If you're having difficulty removing a stain, add more cleaning product to your brush and scrub the area. Finally, wipe the seatbelt from top to bottom with a microfiber towel. For tips on how to use a steam machine to remove stubborn stains, read on!

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