Comprehensive Sand and Salt Removal for Vehicle Interiors

In Australian summer conditions, never work in direct sunlight. Surface temperatures on black plastics can exceed 70°C, causing cleaning chemicals to flash (evaporate) instantly, which leads to permanent staining. Position the vehicle in a well-ventilated garage or under a high-clearance carport. Open all doors and the tailgate to allow cross-flow ventilation, which is crucial when using compressed air.

Remove all floor mats, child seats, and personal items. If the vehicle has significant sand ingress (e.g., after a week at Fraser Island), consider unbolting the front seats. Note: If removing seats, disconnect the battery 15 minutes prior to prevent SRS/Airbag warning lights from triggering. This provides access to the 'sand traps' in the seat rails and centre console gaps.

Before applying any liquids, use a bright LED torch to inspect the carpet. Sand is easiest to remove when dry. Identify 'hot spots' like the driver's footwell and the area under the rear bench. Tap the carpet with your hand; if a cloud of dust rises, the sand is deeply embedded and will require mechanical agitation.

Prepare your Salt Neutraliser and APC in spray bottles. Use demineralised water (available at Coles or Woolworths) to prevent adding more minerals to the carpet. For salt removal, a 1:50 ratio of Salt-Away is standard. For the APC, a 10:1 ratio is sufficient for most interiors. Label all bottles clearly to avoid cross-contamination.

Perform a fast pass with the vacuum and claw nozzle to remove loose surface sand. Do not press hard yet; the goal is simply to clear the top layer so you can see the embedded grains. Spend no more than 10 minutes on this phase for the entire vehicle.

Using an air blow gun at 90 PSI, blow air into the carpet at a 45-degree angle while holding the vacuum nozzle 2cm away. Focus on seat rails, under-seat vents, and between the centre console and the carpet. This 'lifts' the sand to the surface. Wear safety glasses and a mask, as this will create significant airborne dust.

This is the most critical step. Attach the white (soft) drill brush to your cordless drill. Run the brush over the dry carpet in a cross-hatch pattern. The vibration dislodges sand trapped deep in the backing. Vacuum the surface immediately after agitating each section. Repeat until no more sand 'dances' to the surface when the brush is applied.

Lightly mist the Salt Neutralising solution over the footwells and any area exposed to sea spray. Do not soak the carpet; a light dampness is enough. Let it dwell for 3-5 minutes. This chemical reaction breaks the bond between the salt crystals and the carpet fibres, making them water-soluble.

Use a soft detailing brush and the vacuum crevice tool simultaneously to clean air vents, cup holders, and door pockets. Sand often hides in the 'accordion' folds of the gear shifter boot and the stitching of leather seats. Use the brush to flick sand into the vacuum stream.

Take the removed floor mats and hang them vertically. Hit them with a rubber mallet to drop bulk sand. Then, use the medium (yellow) drill brush and APC to scrub them. Rinse with a pressure washer if they are rubber; if carpeted, use the extractor to pull out the moisture and remaining silt.

If the carpet feels 'crunchy' (a sign of salt), use a carpet extractor with warm water (max 50°C). The warm water dissolves salt more effectively than cold. Pull the trigger to spray, then make multiple 'dry passes' (suction only) to ensure the carpet is as dry as possible.

Wipe down all plastic and vinyl surfaces with a microfibre towel dampened with the salt neutraliser. Pay special attention to the door sills and the lower plastic trim, which often catch salt spray from wet legs or gear.

Sand and salt accumulate heavily on the rubber pads of the accelerator, brake, and clutch. Use APC and a stiff brush to scrub these. Clean the door jambs and rubber seals with a damp cloth, as sand here can cause wind noise and leaks over time.

Salt air leaves a hazy film on the inside of windows. Use a dedicated glass cleaner and two towels: one for spreading/scrubbing and one for the final buff. Ensure you clean the very top edge of the glass by winding the windows down slightly.

Apply your UV protectant to all vinyl, plastic, and rubber surfaces. Given the Australian UV index, this replaces the oils lost to heat and prevents cracking. Apply to a microfibre applicator first, then wipe onto the surface to avoid overspray on the freshly cleaned glass.

If you used an extractor or liquids, leave the windows cracked 1cm and run a floor fan into the cabin for 2-4 hours. In the Australian summer humidity, damp carpets can develop mould within 12 hours if not dried properly.