Squeaky seat belt when pulled, doesn't retract strong

[WhatYarisitAgain]

The driver's side seatbelt on a 2004 Yaris gives a continuous and annoying squeeeeak when it's pulled to click it. And it doesn't retract strongly when you're taking it off and leaving the car.

Anyone else experienced that?

Is there a cure?

[Bluevitz-rs]

It's from a dirty seatbelt. The years of oils and dirt from you skin cause a buildup. Mine is doing the same thing. When the weather gets warmer I'm taking it out to wash the belt. I've done this ones years ago and it fixed both problems of the screeching sound and weak retracting.

[WhatYarisitAgain]

How do you wash it?

Is it necessary to take it out to to do that?

Can you just extend it fully and have someone hold it out fully extended while you clean it?

[bronsin]

Hold it out and spray it with carpet cleaner and wipe it off.

Thats how I would do it.

[Bluevitz-rs]

Yeah you could just pull it all the way out and put a small clamp on the belt so it doesn't retract. The just fill a pail with warm water and some laundry soap and give it a light scrub then rinse and let dry.

I take mine out because it just easier that way. One plastic panel and a few bolts and the SRS connector and I can bring the whole thing inside to soak in the laundry tub.