How to Get Every Last Grain of Sand Out of Your Car (Mar 2026)

Never wash a sandy car in the direct sun. In a 40-degree Aussie summer, the water dries too fast, leaving salt streaks and spotting. Get under a carport or wait until the arvo.

Chuck 'em out on the driveway. It's much easier to clean them when they aren't cramped in the footwell.

Sand hides in the jambs. You need to see where it's sitting before you start spraying water around.

Before any water touches the outside, give the carpets a quick brush. It loosens the heavy stuff while it's still dry and easy to move.

Run your finger along the window seals. If they're gritty, don't roll the windows down until they're clean, or you'll scratch the glass.

Use compressed air or a leaf blower to blast sand out of the exterior crevices (grilles, mirrors, fuel cap) before you wet them. This stops sand from turning into 'mud' that sticks in the gaps.

Rinse from the top down. Spend at least 5-10 minutes just on this. You want to flush as much physical grit as possible off the car before you even think about touching it.

Get the pressure washer under the car. If you've been on the beach, you need to flush the chassis rails. I've seen many a Hilux rot from the inside out because the owner forgot the underbody.

Coat the whole car in a thick layer of foam. Let it dwell for about 5 minutes, but don't let it dry. The foam encapsulates the remaining sand grains.

While the foam is on, use your soft brush for the badges, window rubbers, and fuel door. Be gentle.

Blow all that foam (and the sand it trapped) off the car. Use plenty of water.

Now you can actually wash the car. Use the two-bucket method. Dunk the mitt in the soapy water, wash a panel, then rinse the mitt in the plain water bucket to drop the grit.

Clean the wheels last. Use a dedicated brush and plenty of water to get sand out of the lug nut holes.

Spray your salt neutraliser on the lower panels and underbody. Let it sit according to the bottle, then rinse.

Pat the car dry with your plush microfiber. Don't drag it across the paint if you can help it. A leaf blower is great for drying gaps.

Vacuum the big stuff. Use the crevice tool for the side of the seats.

Here's a pro tip: use an orbital sander (without sandpaper!) on the carpet while vacuuming next to it. The vibration brings deep sand to the surface like magic.

Use compressed air to blow sand out of the AC vents and dashboard seams.

Use an interior detailer and a fresh microfiber to wipe the dash and door cards. Sand gets everywhere, including the roof lining sometimes.

Clean the inside and outside of the glass. Salt leaves a film that's hard to see until it catches the morning sun.