Comprehensive Beach and Coastal Interior Decontamination Guide (Jan 2026)

Never attempt deep interior cleaning if the cabin temperature is high. In 40°C heat, interior surfaces can reach 70°C. Move the vehicle into a shaded, well-ventilated garage or under a carport. Open all doors and the tailgate for at least 20 minutes to allow the plastics to stabilise. Working on hot surfaces causes cleaners to flash (evaporate) too quickly, leaving chemical streaks and potentially 'burning' delicate coatings.

Remove all floor mats, child seats, and items from the glovebox and centre console. Sand hides in the most unlikely places. Floor mats should be placed on a clean concrete surface or hung on a mat rack for separate high-pressure cleaning. Check under-seat storage bins and spare tyre wells for hidden moisture or salt crusting.

Before introducing any liquids, use a rubber mallet or your hand to firmly strike the carpets. This 'beats' the sand grains from the base of the pile to the surface. For professional results, use a soft-bristle drill brush on low speed (under 600 RPM) across all carpeted areas. This mechanical action is the only way to release the 'locked' sand that causes carpet thinning over time.

Mix your salt neutraliser and interior cleaners according to the manufacturer’s specifications for 'heavy-duty' use. Test your salt neutraliser on an inconspicuous area of the carpet (e.g., under the seat) to ensure no colour transfer occurs. Prepare two buckets: one with clean water for rinsing brushes/towels and one for your cleaning solutions.

Starting from the roof lining and working down, vacuum all surfaces using a soft brush attachment. Pay extreme attention to the rear parcel shelf and dashboard where salt-laden dust settles. Use the crevice tool for the gaps between seat cushions. Spend at least 15 minutes on this stage; removing 95% of dry sand now prevents creating a 'mud' slurry in later steps.

Using 90-100 PSI of compressed air, blow out the seat rails, seatbelt buckles, window seals, and dashboard vents. You will see significant amounts of sand emerge from the 'zero-clearance' areas. Vacuum this dislodged debris immediately. This prevents sand from grinding inside the mechanical components of the seats.

Mist the salt neutraliser solution lightly over the carpets and floor mats. Do not soak the backing. Allow it to dwell for 3-5 minutes. The chemical agents will break the ionic bond between the salt crystals and the fabric fibres. This is critical for preventing the 'white crusting' that reappears after standard cleaning.

Use a wet/dry vacuum to extract the salt neutraliser. If you have a dedicated carpet extractor, use it with warm water (max 50°C). The goal is to pull the dissolved salt out of the fibres. Repeat this twice in the driver’s footwell, as this area typically sees the highest salt concentration from footwear.

Apply pH-neutral cleaner to a boars hair brush, not the surface. Work in a circular motion on the steering wheel, armrests, and seat bolsters. This emulsifies the body oils, sunscreen, and salt. Wipe immediately with a damp microfibre towel followed by a dry one. Sunscreen is particularly acidic and will 'melt' the top coat of leather if left for more than 48 hours in summer heat.

After cleaning the seat rails with a damp cloth to remove salt, apply a thin film of lithium grease or a dry PTFE spray to the moving parts. This prevents the surface rust common in vehicles used for beach boat launching or frequent coastal visits.

Clean the rubber door seals (weatherstripping) with a damp cloth and a mild cleaner. Salt causes these seals to dry out and crack, leading to wind noise and leaks. Apply a silicone-based dressing (like 303 Aerospace) to keep them supple and create a hydrophobic barrier against salt spray.

Coastal air leaves a 'haze' on the inside of the glass. Use a dedicated glass cleaner with a 'two-towel' method: one towel for spreading and cleaning, the second for a final dry buff. This ensures no salt streaks remain, which can cause severe glare during the low-angle sun of summer afternoons.

If the car has been in high-salt environments, spray an A/C foam cleaner into the intake vents or drain tube. Salt and humidity promote fungal growth in the cooling fins. This step ensures the air you breathe is free from 'coastal musk' and mould spores.

Apply a non-greasy UV protectant to all vinyl and plastic surfaces. In Australia, UV levels in January are extreme; a protectant acts like sunscreen for your dashboard, preventing the cracking and fading that significantly reduces vehicle resale value.