Summer Interior Maintenance Routine for Extreme Heat and UV Protection

Never clean an interior that has been sitting in the sun. The heat will cause cleaning chemicals to flash (evaporate) instantly, leaving behind chemical staining or streaks. Park in a garage or under a carport and allow the cabin to cool to below 30°C. Open all doors for 5 minutes to equalise the temperature and allow any built-up gases to escape.

Remove all personal items, floor mats, and rubbish. Inspect the 'high-traffic' areas: driver’s side bolster for leather wear, the accelerator pedal for mud buildup, and the dash for dust accumulation. Take note of any biological spills (coffee, sweat, or food) which require immediate pH-neutral neutralisation to prevent permanent staining in the heat.

Using compressed air or a blower, start from the top (headliner/parcel shelf) and blow downwards. Focus on seat seams, air vents, and between the centre console and seats. This moves the heavy Australian red dust out into the open where it can be vacuumed, rather than turning it into 'mud' when liquid cleaners are applied later.

Dilute your cleaners according to the current conditions. In extreme heat, use a slightly more diluted ratio (e.g., if the bottle says 1:5, use 1:8) to provide more lubrication and slower drying times. Ensure you have two separate buckets: one for clean microfibres and one for used ones to prevent cross-contamination.

Vacuum the floors and seats using a methodical grid pattern. Use a crevice tool for seat folds where sand and salt accumulate. For fabric seats, use a rubberised pet hair brush to lift fibres and release trapped dust. Spend at least 15 minutes on this; 80% of interior wear is caused by abrasive dirt trapped in fibres.

Take the mats out and shake them vigorously away from the car. If rubber, scrub with a stiff brush and pH-neutral soap. If carpet, vacuum and use a light mist of fabric refresher. Ensure they are 100% dry before re-installing to prevent 'swamp smell' caused by humidity trapped under the mat in 40°C heat.

Using a dry, clean microfibre or a soft detailing brush, wipe down the dashboard, instrument cluster, and door tops. This removes the fine layer of dust that settles daily. By doing this dry first, you prevent the creation of 'mud streaks' that occur when spraying liquid directly onto a dusty surface.

These are the most delicate surfaces. Use a dedicated 'screen cleaner' or a very lightly damp (distilled water) high-GSM microfibre. Wipe in one direction only with zero pressure. Do not use glass cleaner here, as the ammonia or alcohol can strip the anti-glare coatings permanently.

Spray your interior detailer onto a microfibre towel—never directly onto the dash to avoid overspray on the glass. Wipe all vinyl, plastic, and composite surfaces. Use a soft brush to agitate the cleaner into textured plastics to lift out skin oils and dust. Wipe dry immediately with a second clean towel.

The steering wheel, gear shifter, and door handles accumulate the most bacteria and body oils. These oils turn leather shiny and eventually cause it to peel. Use a leather-safe cleaner and a soft brush to gently lift the oils until the surface returns to its original matte finish.

Apply a water-based leather conditioner if the leather feels 'tight' or hot. In Australia, look for products containing UV blockers. Apply a small amount to an applicator, work it into the hide, let it sit for 2-3 minutes to absorb, then buff off the excess. This prevents the leather from shrinking and pulling at the seams.

Often overlooked, the door jambs collect salt spray and red dust. Wipe them down with a damp cloth. Apply a silicone-free rubber protectant to the door seals. This prevents the rubber from sticking to the frame in high heat and ensures a tight seal against dust ingress during country drives.

Clean the interior glass last. Use a dedicated glass microfibre (waffle weave) and a tint-safe cleaner. Use the 'two-towel' method: one towel to spread the cleaner and agitate, the second dry towel to buff to a streak-free finish. This removes the 'haze' caused by plastic outgassing in the sun.

Apply a final mist of a UV-protectant (like Aerospace 303) to the dashboard and parcel shelf. These areas receive the most direct sun. Buff to a satin finish. This layer acts as a sacrificial barrier against UV radiation, significantly slowing the degradation of the underlying materials.