Doing a proper job cleaning your car keeps it looking sharp, but it’ll also help it last longer — especially with the roads and weather we get round Hamilton. Here’s five easy DIY tips from the team here at Grimmer Motors to help keep your ride looking and feeling fresh, inside and out.
1. Get Those Windows Crystal Clear
Couple of reasons to keep your windows spotless — one, it looks good, but more importantly, it keeps you safe, especially when you’re driving down rainy Cobham Drive or heading out toward Cambridge on a foggy morning. Best trick for window cleaning? Use a vinegar-water mix or a good quality glass cleaner (always check it’s ammonia-free, so you don’t wreck any tints). Microfibre cloth is a must — cuts out those annoying streaks you get on the inside of your Toyota Aqua or Nissan X-Trail.
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Go ammonia-free: Ammonia’s rough on window tint, and more common in dodgy cleaners than you’d think.
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Microfibre magic: Old T-shirts and paper towels just leave fluff and streaks.
2. Vacuum the Inside — Don’t Forget the Weird Bits
The gear that ends up inside Kiwi cars can be wild — dog hair, chips, school snacks, gravel from the footy at Flagstaff. Grab a little vacuum with an extension and go to town, especially under seats and between the console in your Mazda Demio or Suzuki Swift. Makes a huge difference for anyone with allergies, too.
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Use the brushy bit: Great for getting between those awkward seat rails at the back.
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Seats first: Knock all the muck off before you start on the floor and mats.
3. Wash and Wax — Do It Yourself Style
Here in Hamilton, things like tree sap from parking under the oaks on Victoria Street and road dust from Te Rapa straight can really do a number on your paint. Always use soap made for cars — dishwashing liquid’s a paint killer. Give your Ford Kuga or Isuzu MU-X a nice hand wash with the two-bucket method (one for soapy water, one for rinsing). Top it off with a wax a few times a year to fend off that classic NZ sun.
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Skip the dish soap: Strips wax, leaves paint bare to the elements.
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Two buckets: Stops you rubbing in the same grit and scratching your clearcoat.
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Here’s a good breakdown of hand washing benefits.
4. Show Your Leather Seats Some Love
Seen plenty of euro cars like Peugeot 308s and older BMW 1 Series from Tamahere come in with the leather basically falling apart. You gotta clean and condition them regularly, especially in Hamilton’s dry summers when the sun’s harsh. Use proper leather cleaner, not baby wipes, and condition so things don’t split or fade. Always patch test, though — we’ve seen some wild discolouration from folks skipping that step.
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Test a corner first: Always better safe than sorry.
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Keep on top of it: Dry cracks look rough and don’t come back.
5. Freshen Up the Air — Ditch the Stale Smells
Cars can get musty pretty quick, especially after a run out to Huntly or a week of school runs in winter. Baking soda works best — just sprinkle it over the seats and mats, leave it overnight, then vacuum it up the next day. Chuck a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball under the seat in your Mitsubishi Outlander or Volkswagen Polo if you want it smelling sharp.
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Baking soda: Neutralises without smelling all “air freshener fake”.
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Essential oils: A little goes a long way.
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There’s more on natural stink removal too.
Wrap Up
Keeping your car clean’s not just about looking proud as you head down SH3 to Ngaruawahia — it makes your ride healthier, safer, and keeps resale up. Give these tips a crack next time you’re parked up for a bit. Found some random treasures (or horrors) cleaning your car out? Share your story below.
If you need a pro to handle the trickier stuff, whether it’s a WOF, hybrid repair, or just a regular car service in Hamilton, that’s what we’re here for. Grimmer Motors has seen everything from Teslas to Toyota Hiaces through the doors, and our techs are here to help with the lot.
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Top local know-how: We see every car, every issue, every week — we’ve got you sorted.
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Full service: From the little jobs to the big stuff.
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Local, trusted, and up front: Check our reviews and see what other Hamilton drivers reckon.