Interior car detailing on the North Shore: kids, dogs and smells

Most interiors look a lot worse than they are. Crumbs, dog hair, sticky cup holders, a grey film on the dash and the inside of the glass. Nearly all of that comes out. The things that can be permanent are old set-in stains, burns and tears, and some smells. Smoke especially.

The photo below is the before from my very first client job, back in August 2025. Mud right through the footwell and stuff everywhere. It came up really well! The after is on my Instagram if you want to swipe through.

What an interior detail covers

A full vacuum, including under and between the seats, the door pockets and the boot. Then the hard surfaces: dash, console, doors, steering wheel, vents and buttons. The glass gets done inside, plus the finishing bits you notice when you get in. How far it goes depends on the state of the cabin, which is why I ask what it’s like when you request a quote.

How do you get dog hair out of a car?

Dog hair weaves itself into carpet and seat fabric, and a vacuum on its own leaves heaps behind. It has to be loosened first. If you want a go yourself, a damp rubber glove dragged over the carpet pulls up more than you’d expect. If there’s a lot of it, mention that when you book. It’s slow work and I’d rather allow the time than rush it.

The classic is a Forester in Turramurra with a golden retriever who rides in the boot. The boot carpet looks grey until the hair comes out, and then you find out it was black the whole time.

Kids’ cars

Take the car seats out before I get there if you can. Under them is where the real mess lives. Old chips, drink bottles, sultanas that have been there since winter. Sticky spills on cup holders and seatbelt buckles come off fine. Stains in fabric seats depend on what they are and how long they’ve been there.

How do you get rid of smells in a car?

Most car smells are coming from something. Food in the carpet, a wet floor mat, a dog blanket, a dirty cabin filter. Get rid of the source and the smell goes with it. Air fresheners just cover it up for a week. Buyers notice too, which is why the inside comes first in a pre-sale detail.

Smoke is the hard one. It gets into the headlining, the seats and the vents. A proper clean helps a lot, but I won’t promise a car that’s been smoked in for years will smell like new. And if you can smell damp or see mould, get onto it soon. It spreads, and it’s not something you want to be breathing in.

What won’t come out?

• Burns, tears and cracked leather. Cleaning doesn’t fix damage.
• Stains that have set for years, or that have bleached the fabric.
• Faded, sun-damaged plastics. They’ll look cleaner and more even, just not new.

I’d rather tell you that up front than have you disappointed on the day. Send a photo of anything you’re worried about with your quote request.

How often should the inside be done?

Every two to three months for a family car. Every three to six for most others. I’ve gone into it more in how often you should get your car detailed. In between, a quick vacuum and a wipe of the wheel and screen every couple of weeks makes a real difference.

Interior detailing at your place

Interior details are done mobile, in your driveway or car park, so you don’t have to drop the car anywhere. I cover the Upper and Lower North Shore, and every suburb is listed in mobile detailing vs drop-off. All I need is room to open the doors. If you’d rather drop it off, I’m in North Turramurra.

Every option is on the services page, and there’s more about me on the about page.

Want the inside sorted?

Tell me the car, where you are and what the inside is like. Request a quote and I’ll text you back to confirm the right service and a time. There’s no payment to enquire. Rather talk? Call 0491 754 707.

Jake
STIKKYS Detailing, North Turramurra

I grew up on the North Shore, taught myself on my own cars and started STIKKYS in 2025. I work 7 days, 9am to 5pm. More about me.

Cover photo: Victoria Ouarets / Pexels. Other photos are my own work.