How to get sand out of lens

shutterbuggin

I wanted to share a picture I took. I was in Florida and somehow my 18-55mm lens got sand in it. I did the best I could to clean it out but every time I turn it to zoom in or out I can sometimes still hear a little grinding - I'm not sure how to fix it.
Anyways, I used the other kit lens I got (55-200mm), and was sitting high up in the nose bleed section of the stadium at Sea World in Florida and I took this picture of a random bird before the dolphin show started. The camera was set to Auto, no flash, zoomed all the way to 200mm and it's one of my favorite pictures I have ever taken.

On the other note, any idea how to get the sand out of the sides of my lens? I know it is only my cheap kit lens, but hearing that slight grinding while zooming makes me sad. I ended up shooting the rest of my vacation with the 55-200mm kit lens and I am super please with the pictures. I want to go out exploring the new life Spring has to offer around here and I only have that lens to use.

Thank you,
Leanne