With as much as we are in the car, it is definitely worth our time to get it organized. Check out some of my tips below, and then take a look at some favorites I found around the web. And don’t leave home unprepared. Be sure to see my Summer Essentials Car List so you aren’t caught unprepared this summer!
Throw away trash each time you exit the car. There’s always a garbage can near by, and you’ll love how clean your car always feels.
Get the kids involved. My kids know to clear their stuff AND their garbage as they exit the car. Not only does it keep my car clean, but creates some good habits for them when they become car owners.
Speaking of the kids…Cleaning the car is a regular weekly job for one of the kids. They vacuum, wipe down the windows, and dust off the surfaces. It’s nothing like a professional detail, but for a family car, I think we are setting the bar pretty high!
Stock up. Think through your typical summer (or winter) adventures and remember what you wish you’d had with you in the car. A picnic blanket? Insect repellent? Drinking water? A box of bandaids? Just brainstorm a quick list to begin with, and add to it as things come to mind. Store it in a tote in the trunk (I like the 30-quart sterelite’s with latches.) HERE IS MY LIST – short and sweet, but definitely full of essentials. If you want to get fancy about storing stuff, here’s a great option:
If you need ready access to your supplies, this is the way to go. CLICK HERE for more ideas about how to use over-the-door storage in your car. CLICK HERE for over-the-door shower caddies.
The answer to sticky, crumby cup holders. This is brilliant! Why didn’t I think of this?! CLICK HERE to buy silicone cup holders. Find more cool organizing ideas from One Crazy House HERE.
I cringe whenever we have to eat in the car. But if it has to happen, what a great idea for keeping the mess minimal! And even better – all of the organizing products in THIS POST came from the dollar store!
…And where has THIS been all of my life? I am all about adding a shelf to utilize unused space. Unfortunately it’s a DIY, so I’m out. But if you don’t mind tackling a project, this would be AMAZING. Gotta love utilizing space. CLICK HERE for a tutorial.
Menu
