Given how disgusting my car was, I must say that the money spent on having it cleaned was definitely worth it but not something that I want to do again.
Thus “Project Car Organization” began…
Once I had my nice clean car back, there was a huge box of “stuff” remaining that the car detailers had collected from my car. I went through everything and figured out what I needed to keep in the car and what had to be put away elsewhere. Like organizing any other space, you need to get rid of what you don’t really need or use. If you are trying to figure out what items you should store in your car, keep a list in the car for a month and write down everything that you wished you had that you didn’t. At the end of the month, go through everything that is in the car and ask yourself if you really need those items that you didn’t use throughout the month.
Okay, now you need to organize everything!!
PAPERWORK
I have a section for maps, insurance papers, the car CD manual, car receipts {such as oil changes}, coupons and trailer papers. The file folder is from the Martha Stewart line at Staples and I picked it up when I found my planner.
Now that the glove box was freed up, I put in a dry cleaning sponge {this is great for dusting the dashboard}, an extra pair of sunglasses, and some pens and paper.
See? I told you it was the smallest glove box ever!!!
KIDS ITEMS
The organizer bag is from The Container Store. It actually looks like it is empty but there are really items in there! The pockets are just nice and deep.
ODDS ‘N ENDS
- moist wipes for my crazy, messy children {also great for quickly wiping down the dashboard if I am waiting in the car}
- anti-bacterial spray which I use daily for work
- a little lipstick for those days that I have to run out of the house without makeup {this happens way too often!}
- my USB cable so I can play my iphone tunes
- a place to hold my quarter and loonie for shopping carts {I keep the change in an empty medicine bottle}
- little garbage bags {I use those rolls of small garbage bags that are supposed to be used to hold dirty diapers – perfect car size!}
- my dollar store back rest. Best dollar spent ever!
- sunglasses
Everything fits in the middle console or the cup holder organizer that I picked up at The Container Store. I also have a sunglasses holder that is clipped above my sun visor. I have really light sensitive eyes and it can switch from rain to sun and back again many times throughout the day around here!
{Okay, I really should have cleaned those glasses while I was at it!}
EMERGENCY ITEMS
I have two first aid kits – one with more basic, frequently used supplies {band-aids, Polysporin, anti-bacterial wipes, tweezers, Tylenol, After Bite, etc.) and one with less used items such as larger bandages and gauze, a triangle bandage, an emergency blanket, scissors, etc.
If you remember my Boo Boo Box from last summer, this is just a simplified version. I’ll usually add a few more items before we leave for a camping trip.
STEP ONE – Clear out to the car. Grab a garbage bag and two bins – one for things that are to stay in the car and one for things that do not belong in the car. Work your way through your car tossing the items into the appropriate bins. Remove car seats and shake out any removable car rugs. Once your car is organized, this step should be really quick!
STEP TWO – Vacuum Get out your vacuum {or handheld} and any little attachments that it may come with. I have a long skinny attachment {that is great for getting into those little spaces} and I mini vacuum attachment that connects to the hose. Vacuum down floors, removable rugs, and upholstery.
STEP THREE – Wipe and Clean
Dashboard and other rubber or vinyl surfaces– I use a water bottle to spray down all of the surfaces and then wipe them down with a Norwex microfiber cloth. If you have added grime that you need to remove you can make a paste with baking soda and water and use a small scrub brush {or toothbrush} to get into all of those little spaces. Once everything is clean, I give the plastic and rubber surfaces a final wipe using Armor All spray for a little extra shine.
Upholstery and carpet – The Norwex cloths can also be used to remove minor stains from the upholstery. For deeper stains, I use a mixture of dish detergent and water and a stiff brush. Funny enough, the worst stains that I have had to remove on my upholstery have just been plain old water marks.
Mirrors and Glass – I use water and a Norwex window cloth to clean the mirrors and glass. I have also heard that the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers work great on the front headlights although I haven’t actually had to try this.
Now that things are more clean and organized, I can’t believe that I spent so much time driving around in such a messy car! Two months later and things are still looking good!
Happy organizing!! Have a great week!
Oh I am so jealous! My car needs this so bad! You have inspired me and as soon as our temps drop below 100…I’m going for it! By the way..I have that same backrest from the dollar store and it is a great one!
I love all your ideas Jenn! My problem is I do a Great job the first time…and LOVE a clean organized car- but then the slip happens. I don’t keep up on it! ARGHH!!! I am liking your first aid kit! Thank you for sharing all your great ideas!
Jenn! I feel inspired…funny how being a Mommy makes you think of the “what if’s” way more. Meaning a first aid kit in my car!!! Must jump on your bandwagon my friend! xoxo
I bought a mini utility bin from 31 and it is perfect size for “walmart bag” trash can! I have a small bin in the trunk that holds all of my misc stuff and then a small tote bag in the front seat for all my cords, pens, tissue, wipes etc this works out great because I am usually the only one in the front, but if I have an extra passenger the tote easily moves to the trunk. I tried the cup holder organizer, but couldn’t stand it as I usually have a soda and water with me at all times! lol. Thanks for the share…I forsure need a quick wipe down and vacuum!
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I need to come back to this soon and get my car organized. Great info. Thanks for sharing.
Hi, Jenn! This is my first visit to your blog. I’m visiting from Yvonne’s party. Great tips! I must agree that that is indeed one of the teensiest glove compartments I have ever seen! Wow! My husband and I ARE the fossilized bits in the car since we’re “of a certain age.” I drive a luxury car that looks like a dumpster, and his is 20 times worse. I might as well have bought an actual motorized dumpster! Seriously, until I take my car in for its regular service, it doesn’t get washed! Their complimentary wash is the best thing that could happen for my car, I’m sure!!! Sad, but true. I have a lot of the items you suggest, but they’re just all loose and hanging out willy nilly. I like the containers you suggested. They appear to be compact and handy. We don’t have small children (obviously, since we’re old!), but we do take frequent road trips. These same ideas will apply! Great tips!
I love how you have a place for everything in the car! Thanks so much for sharing! I especially appreciate the paper file for auto information/maps and the emergency kit. Well done!
I’ve used one of those sponges to get the cat fur off my furniture, but never knew it was good for dusty dashboards. Thanks for the tip!
I’m visiting from StoneGable. Would love it if you’d stop by and see my Homemade Gnocchi Tutorial.
🙂
ButterYum
Great tips……I’d like to invite you to link up at CountryMommaCooks party going on now-Mon………..have a great weekend : )
Wow. Thanks for the great ideas. Why is it so hard to keep the van clean? It seems like a never-ending project. These ideas will definitely help. I’d love for you to link up this (and any other ideas you’d like to share) at “One Creative Weekend” on OneCreativeMommy.com.
Awesome tips. I’m glad I’m not the only one whose car gets neglected! You have totally inspired me to go and tackle the beast! And a beast it is, we drive a big suburban! I found your blog through Craft o Maniac. Your blog is awesome! So many incredible ideas, I can’t wait to look around some more. I just became your newest follower, and would be flattered if you stopped by my brand new blog and took a look. If you feel so inclined, follow me too! Thanks so much for the tips!
http://www.feathersandsunshine.blogspot.com
thanks for the creative useful tips!!
LOVE THIS!!! I am an organization freak – and this totally solved my need for ideas for my car!!
New Follower!
Feel free to follow me back at http://www.ageekswifeandherdog.blogspot.com
Pleasing to the eye seeing things organized and in order.
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Thank you for sharing this very informative post. I can use these very good tips when I want to sell my car. This would be a big help for me just keep on sharing.
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Great tips! Thank you!
Just an FYI:
If you live somewhere where the interior of your car gets above 80 degrees, you shouldn’t leave plastic water bottles inside. The heat allows BPA, a known carcinogen, to leak into the water.
While I agree with you these water bottles are part of an emergency kit and I would say leave them in there anyways because if by chance you ended up in an emergency would you rather have some water that has some BPA in it or no water at all. You do not want to dehydrate yourself especially in an emergency. I feel that if you only drank the ‘BPA water’ in an emergency you would be fine, I just wouldn’t drink it on a regular basis. I would get a stainless steel bottle and use that on a daily basis.
Yes. Good point!
Cleaning the car parts by using quality products is really good. I am so much interesting to get the benefits. If you want to go through some car wash by using EZ SHINE car cleaning product then move on that
Jenn! I experience motivated…funny how being a Mother creates you think of the “what if’s” way more. Significance a first aid kit in my car!!! Must leap on your group my friend! xoxo
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Thanks for correcting the link!