Pop goes the soda... pop.

August 8, 2007 2:01 PM

How can I remove the residue of a soda explosion from the interior of my car's seat belt?

So I was trying to balance a pizza and a six pack of root beer and put them in my car when the six pack slid off the top of the pizza box and hit the seat belt on the driver's side of my car. (The bit that you snap the buckle into. Can't think if it has a name or not.) Can of soda went boom, sticky soda everywhere, including down inside the buckle mechanism. Now when I go to buckle or unbuckle my seat belt the button sticks.

What do I do? I'd rather not find out if it would work to wait until ants discover the soda residue and carry it away. This is a 2001 Toyota Prius in case that's useful. I couldn't see any easy way to disassemble the buckle.

posted by MsMolly to Travel & Transportation (4 answers total)

Maybe one of those compressed air spray bottles? Like, put some soapy water on the buckle, blast it down inside with the air, repeat?
posted by equalpants at 2:17 PM on August 8, 2007

Some of those buckles have electronics in them. I'd call a dealer and ask before getting liquid in there.
posted by rbs at 2:23 PM on August 8, 2007

Best answer: I once got soda in the detachable face plate of a car stereo. I just poured rubbing alcohol all over it and let it run through the device until what ran out the bottom was clear.

Once it was dry, no more sticky buttons, and no damage to the electronics. It'll probably work for your seatbelt, too.
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 2:35 PM on August 8, 2007

Response by poster: M.C. Lo-Carb! for the win!

It seems to have worked. Many thanks.
posted by MsMolly at 5:13 PM on August 11, 2007