Anyone know how best to clean seat belts? The rears were trapped under the mastic heat/sound layer beneath the carpet for 10 years, and they have some of the sticky mastic on them.

 

I cleaned the belts in my cars by just soaking them in soapy water, scrubbing with a bristle brush, rinsing, and then letting them dry. It might not get every last thing out, but it got them into a pretty presentable condition.

 

Scrape off as much of the goo as you can. I doubt you'll ever get it all out unless you use a solvent type cleaner and that could possibly damage or degrade the belts.

Take them out of the car and soak them in hot soapy water. You will see the water turn brown as the dirt leaches out. Scrub lightly, rinse and repeat as needed until the belts no longer discolor the water.

Good luck. Are the belts black or color?

 

Black belts. Tried a quick steam clean while in the car, but that only took the easy crud off. I will pull them from the car & soak them.

Thanks!

 

I did mine in dishpan in the sink with hot water and Tide deterent. After a few washed and rinses, they were good as new!

 

I have heard the best way is to put them in a pillowcase or other bag ( My wife has a special bag for all the socks ) . tape up the plastic or metal buckles and the ends and run them thur the washing machine and dryer

 

drape them over the racks in the dishwasher. Make sure the wife is away. 2 cycles and the dirt is off and the flexibility returns. It won't hurt the buckles. Top rack only!

 

Thanks to all for the advice!

 

I re-furbish old police car and misc junkers. I had a car with a disgusting tan interior, I pulled everything out and pressure washed the seats and the seat-belts were connected, I passed across a belt by accident with the wand and it looked like I painted it ! I was giddy as I just held the belt at one end just moved steadily up the length they came out like new !! I use the outdoor wash places where you drop quarters, the pressure varies from place to place but never as high like true "steam" cleaner.

my 2 cents

 

Woolite, a bucket, and a bristle brush, for the really dirty ones. Rinse with a garden hose.

 

one reason I like pressure washing is there no rough physical contact, as much as I enjoy it myself on those rare occasions, I fear causing fraying and or damage to the belts by "scrubbing" thus making them look "fuzzy" But like anything else in this world, ask 5 people, get 10 opinions ..................