Any ideas for getting cologne smell out of a seatbelt?

last year

Last month I rode in a car where the usual passenger wears cologne. I'm very sensitive to perfume odor and it gives me migraines. Since the seatbelt goes right across the chest, it was impossible to avoid the smell. Of course, I opened the window. I ended up partially wrapping the seatbelt as best I could in a plastic grocery bag to try and keep the smell from getting on me. I wore two masks. And I still ended up with a migraine.

Next month I have to travel again in that car for a couple of hours. I thought I'd try totally wrapping the seatbelt in Glad Press and Seal wrap. I'll have a little prep time, and I thought maybe I can wash it or spray it with something to kill the scent. Any suggestions?

BTW, I'm pretty much stuck having to ride in this car and I can't switch to a different seat.

Featured Answer

matthias_lang

last year

I think you might want to check with the manufacturer before you spray or wash it with anything. I think I remember reading that detergents can diminish the integrity of the fibers in seatbelts. (So might perfume, I suppose). Seatbelts have to hold up to tremendous force in an accident and you want them to be as strong as they are when new and *unscented*.

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Comments (14)

Bookwoman
last year
Try spraying the seat belt with vinegar. That's usually a good odor neutralizer.
Jupidupi thanked Bookwoman
Jasdip
last year
I can't stand the smell of Febreeze except the one in the blue bottle that's for furnishings and things that can't be washed. It's called fabric refresher.

I have a friend that wears a lot of body spray or washes or something and it clings to her and the surrounding air. When she comes over, I spray my couch and the air and it completely takes it away. It doesn't cover it with another stench, it just smells fresh.

Like you, I can't tolerate perfumes, scents, fabric softeners etc etc.

I'd spray the heck out of the seat-belt
Jupidupi thanked Jasdip
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Olychick
last year
last modified: last year
When my grandson was little I bought seatbelt covers made of plush fabric that wrapped the belt and velcroed to itself. It was just a rectangle of fabric and would be very easy to fashion one. The ones I bought were probably too short for your purposes, but you could make it as long as needed. You could line it with some kind of non-permeable fabric or even a heavy duty black garbage bag.
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amylou321
last year
There is an unscented febreeze spray that may help.
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petalique
last year
Is there any way you can leave it exposed to fresh air and UV light?

That would drive me bonkers.

Have you searched online? Maybe sl a dry cleaner? a car detailer?
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Elizabeth
last year
Since it is not your car, I don't see how you could disassemble the seat belt mechanisms and take the belt to the dry cleaners. The owner also might not be agreeable to let you bring sprays or attachments to their seat belts. I would do one of three things:

Insist that I be permitted to ride in another seat in the car. I wonder why you are not permitted to do so?

Not wear the shoulder strap but place it behind me ( I do know you should not ride with the shoulder strap improperly fastened as it is dangerous. The smell might still escape that way also )

Use other transportation.
Jupidupi thanked Elizabeth
petalique
last year
My thought was that dry cleaner might have an idea. No, you cannot go messing w the seatbelt tensioning. Too bad you can’t put a laquer o4 glue sealant on the belt.

I used to get migraines from a type of cologne — high-ish end. I liked it, but couldn’t be around it. cig smoke could also give me a headache. I feel for you, jupi.
Jupidupi thanked petalique
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
last year
The thing is, if it's in the seatbelt, it's probably in the seat too...

P.S. I have an unscented Febreze - I think it's what Jasdip mentioned...

These things work as they dry, I believe, so you need to spray and let dry, then repeat as necessary.
Jupidupi thanked carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
Uptown Gal
last year
I agree on the unscented Fabric Febreeze….it works very well..just spray and allow to dry..

doesnt take long.
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Annie Deighnaugh
last year
https://www.serrasubaruakron.com/blog/2016/september/9/how-to-clean-your-car-s-seat-belts.htm#:~:text=If%20you're%20dealing%20with,soap%2C%20vinegar%20and%20warm%20water.
Elizabeth
last year
Is the car's owner going to give you access ( in advance of your ride) to deep clean their seat belt? What have they had to say when you talked to them about it?
maddielee
last year
Would an odor blocking mask help? Or maybe a nasal filter?
Jupidupi thanked maddielee
claudia valentine
last year
Sometime you just have to suck it up and do what you have to do.

I understand how unpleasant it is.

One of husbands relatives sat in our car with strong perfume on and it took months for that smell to dissipate. It permeated the seat belt and was hard to avoid when you used the seatbelt.

I had one of those padded seatbelt covers and it helped a bit. Sure it was the entire padded seat that smelled, but the seatbelt just brought it right to a point that every breath was filled with it.

Some people are wearing a multitude of chemical odors before they ever walk out the door of their home. They are subjected to everything from that nauseating plug in that delivers 24 hour smell, to the fabric softener, the body wash, the hair product, the deodorant and maybe some perfume thrown over it all. You can smell them coming and long after they have gone.

They remind me of a dog that has found something irresistibly fragrant and they roll in it. At least you can put the dog out in the back yard until he gets a good bath. You cant do that with chemically scented people enveloped in a cloud of miasmic vapors.

The only thing worse is if they are also a smoker. Then, you have a double whammy of noxious odors. Glade plug in, MorningShine scented fabric softener, plus Marlboro is never good.

You may never get that smell out of your head and your nose.

But, you may just have to do what you have to do and let it pass.

There is no magic that is going to make it go away.
Jupidupi thanked claudia valentine

Any ideas for getting cologne smell out of a seatbelt?

matthias_lang

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Bookwoman

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