Day 20: Clean Out Your Car

If you drive a car regularly, it can become a home away from home, your household on wheels, subject to the same clutter and mess that your home is. It's much more pleasant to drive when you're not wading in trash. Cleaning out your car doesn't have to take long, and you can keep it clean by removing items each time you get home, regularly emptying out the trash, and making time periodically to wash and vacuum the grunge out. Here are 10 steps to get your car clean and organized, which can reduce your stress and help make your commute (or your mommy taxi-service duties) simpler and more pleasant. 

1. Weather permitting, wash the exterior of your vehicle. The simplest way to clean a car is to pay someone else to do it. It's also the most expensive. The cheapest way is to do it all yourself with a bucket of suds at home, which may not be an option in the dead of winter. We've been fortunate to have a mild winter here in Texas so far, so today I was able to run the car through the $5 express wash, then I used the free vacuums on site to clean all the Goldfish Crackers, dirt and other odds and ends out. 
2. Empty everything out of the vehicle and trunk, trash the obvious garbage, and return water bottles and travel mugs to the kitchen for washing.
3. Sort the remaining items by type, such as auto maintenance supplies, kids' toys and gear, music and videos, manuals and maps. Remove any items you absolutely don't need, and organize necessities. Items left on the floor and seats can become projectiles in a crash, so secure loose items as much as possible.
4. Clean the interior by vacuuming the floors and seats; wiping down the dash, doors and cup holders; cleaning the windows and mirrors; and shaking out the floor mats.
5. Put a trash bag or bin somewhere convenient - I keep a cup-shaped bin in my front cup holder. A trash bag can be tucked into the side door pocket or hung over the back of the seat - try reusing an old zipper bag or shopping bag. Empty the trash receptacle whenever it gets full or when you fill up with gasoline, whichever comes first.
6. Stash kids' toys, books and travel games in a behind-the-seat organizer, within reach of backseat passengers. Periodically rotate items in and out to keep kids interested. I also keep a few bagged snacks and a water bottle, plus extra mittens in the winter.
7. Stow CDs and DVDs in visor organizers, or transfer your music to an MP3 player that can be stashed in the glove compartment when not in use.
8. Store the following in the glove compartment: owner's manual, vehicle registration information, auto club information, accident report form, notepad, pen, disposable camera, flashlight, list of emergency contact names and numbers, a few napkins and any other frequently needed items.
9. Purchase or make an emergency kit for your vehicle and store it in the trunk or rear of the car. Include battery cables, a tire gauge, a window ice scraper, flares, reflective tape, a help sign, a screwdriver, pliers, a first aid kit, work gloves, a blanket, an old towel or rags, a jug of water and motor oil. 
10. Consider putting together a survival kit, especially if you live in a cold-weather climate. Include candles, waterproof matches, energy bars or candy bars, large plastic garbage bags and rubber bands. Keep larger items, such as cat litter (for slippery roads), a collapsible shovel, an extra blanket and heavy socks, hats and mittens (enough for several passengers), in a sports bag or tub in the trunk or rear of the car.

This post is part of the Fresh Start Series, 31 days of tips and tricks to simplify in the new year.