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7 Easy DIY Car Care Tips to Help Your Car Live a Long
Taking care of your car does not need to be complicated.
A few simple habits can help your car stay cleaner, fresher and in better condition for years. Here are seven easy DIY ideas anyone can do at home
1. Wash Your Car Regularly
Hand washing gives you full control and is often much gentler on your paint.
Dirt, dust, sunscreen, bird droppings and road grime can all slowly damage your paint if left too long. Regular washing removes these contaminants before they cause fading or tiny scratches.
Helpful things to wash with:
- A soft microfibre wash mitt
- pH neutral car shampoo
- Two buckets: one for soap, one for rinsing
- A soft microfibre drying towel
These simple items help avoid scratches and give your car that fresh, shiny finish.
2. Use Wax or a Quick Ceramic Spray
Wax or ceramic spray acts like a protective shield over your paint.
It helps rain bead off, prevents sun fading and stops things like bird droppings from sticking too firmly.
Why it Matters:
- Your car stays cleaner for longer
- Washing becomes easier
- Your paint keeps a shiny finish
- It helps reduce the damage done by QLD sun
Ceramic sprays are perfect for beginners. Spray on, wipe off, done.
3. Protect Your Seats With Seat Covers
Seat covers keep your interior looking fresh by shielding your seats from daily wear and tear.
This is especially important in Queensland, where heat, sweat and sunscreen can stain or break down materials fast.
More reasons to use them:
- Perfect for families and pets
- Protects from coffee spills and takeaway accidents
- Prevents fabric or leather cracking over time
- Easy to remove and wash
Seat covers also help maintain your car’s resale value by keeping the interior clean and tidy.
4. Invest in Good Floor Mats
Your carpets take a beating: sand, grass, mud and food crumbs all find their way inside.
Floor mats take the impact so your carpet stays clean and protected.
Types explained:
- Rubber mats: Great for beach trips, camping, wet seasons and messy shoes
- Carpet mats: More stylish for everyday driving and clean commutes
- Deep dish mats: High edges trap mud and sand, perfect for kids, tradies and pets
Replacing floor mats is much cheaper than deep cleaning or repairing carpet.
5. Clean the Interior With the Right Products
Your interior experiences daily use: fingerprints, dust, crumbs, drink marks and smudges all add up.
Using the right products keeps everything fresh without damaging materials.
Types explained:
- Rubber mats: Great for beach trips, camping, wet seasons and messy shoes
- Carpet mats: More stylish for everyday driving and clean commutes
- Deep dish mats: High edges trap mud and sand, perfect for kids, tradies and pets
Replacing floor mats is much cheaper than deep cleaning or repairing carpet.
6. Protect Your Dashboard and Trim
The sun in Queensland is harsh and can quickly cause fading, cracking or peeling on your dashboard and trims.
How to protect your interior:
- Use a sunshade when parked to block heat and UV
- Condition trims to keep plastics flexible and prevent drying
- Apply a dashboard protectant every few weeks
- Try to park in shade when possible
Protecting your dash now prevents expensive repairs later.
7. Keep Your Exterior Plastics and Tyres Conditioned
our tyres and exterior trims take on the elements every day, sun, dust, water and heat.
Keeping them conditioned helps them last longer and look much cleaner.
Why this step helps:
- Prevents fading and cracking
- Gives your car a polished fresh look
- Makes your washing efforts look finished
- Helps keep rubber hydrated in hot weather
It only takes two minutes and makes a big visual difference.
Where Can You Buy These Products?
You can find everything mentioned at:
Supercheap Auto – large range of cleaners, wax, tools, interior care, protectants and accessories
Big W - large range of cleaners, wax, tools, interior care
Bunnings – buckets, cloths, some car care basics
Your dealership – genuine floor mats, seat covers, interior kits
Need Help Looking After Your Vehicle?
Our team is here to help. Whether you want advice on car care, need help choosing the right products or want to better understand your vehicle, we are always here to support you.
For all your car needs, get in touch with our team today.