The Best Way to Clean Dirty Seat Belts in Your Car

Remove mold, staining, and grime from a dirty seat belt

Co-authored by Chad Zani and Sophie Burkholder, BA

Last Updated: November 24, 2024 Fact Checked

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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Clamping the belt in an extended position will make it easier to clean thoroughly. 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]
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- 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.

2

Spray the belt with an all-purpose cleaner.

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An all-purpose cleaner or fabric cleaner is safe to use on a seat belt. “Spray your cleaning solution straight onto the seatbelt” to create a light, even coating, says auto detailing expert Chad Zani.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Chad Zani
Auto Detailing Expert

Expert Interview. 2 October 2019.} 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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The stiff bristles will effectively remove hardened dirt and stains. 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]
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- Scrub gently—too much force over time may degrade the fabric of the seat belt.

4

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

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A more potent solution may be needed to clean stained seat belts. 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]
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- 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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Baking soda helps to remove mold, mildew, and funky smells. 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]
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- 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.

6

Wipe the belt down with a dry microfiber towel.

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Microfiber towels won’t add any extra moisture that may damage the belt. Wrap the towel around the belt and gently move the towel up and down. Squeeze gently to remove excess moisture.
- Zani specifically recommends microfiber towels because they’re gentle and less likely to fray your seatbelt.^{[6]
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  Chad Zani
  Auto Detailing Expert
  
  Expert Interview. 2 October 2019.}

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.

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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.

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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.

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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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