7 replies to this topic

[GottaDesigner]

Problem: Rear lapstraps are filthy...

Solution: Scrubbed with just about any fabric cleaner I can find, to little or no gain.

*Idea*

Unbolt the dratted things and stick them in a sinkful of water and wash with persil or similar.

Any pitfalls? Are they likely to shrink? I know they're a legal requirement, having a car with a back seat and all that jazz and they're perfectly servicable, just in need of a damned good clean. Am I likely to end up doing them any damage this way?

Feel free to laugh. I'm laughing as I type this. But I'd rather hang 'em out on the line to dry than fork out silly money on new ones when these are fine, if filthy.

[taffy1967]

I'd have thought the only thing you have to be careful of is the metal buckles, but I doubt a good wash/clean is going to bother them.

[GottaDesigner]

I'd have thought the only thing you have to be careful of is the metal buckles, but I doubt a good wash/clean is going to bother them.

Thanks Taffy, those'll get wrapped in plastic bags anyhow I think seatbelt webbing's pretty tough stuff anyway...was just checking.

[Ethel]

They'll be nylon should be ok, depending on any cleaners used, a neutral hand washing product like dreft would be a good bet.

[roofless]

take them out and put in bowl of hot water with two big helpings of oxy-plus cleaner ( i get it from makro ) and stir around for 10 minutes, and if necessary use a nail brush to scrub them. wear plastic gloves because oxy can cause harm to your skin.

If they are the nylon ones they'll survive just fine - if that doesnt shift it consider jet washing them.

last thing is bicarb - available from some stores - I've seen this stuff dissolve filth off 5 year-old barbecues and make them shine - only thing to watch here is that bicarb may dissolve cotton stitching - the nylon will be fine as its almost indestructible, thats why supermans pants are made from it.

[dklawson]

The only cotton stitching on seat belts should be for the labels. All the security stitching is done with nylon or aramid products.

You'll be fine removing, soaking, and gently scrubbing the belts. As mentioned, the buckles may need some attention when you're done. If you have an air compressor, blow the workings dry and if you have some white spray lithium grease, apply that to the moving bits inside the buckle.

[biggav]

for my harnessesi used vanish oxy and boiling hot water in a bucket for about 60 minutes, then wrung them out and tumble dried them!!!

very noisy but no sign of any damage to buckles and the harnesses seemed fine, just didn't have any oil on them any more.

[GottaDesigner]

Righty-ho... I'll mosie on down to Wilko's and see if they've got any Oxy then and attack the belts at the weekend.

Thanks for the tips, folks! ^^