Simple tips for keeping your car fresh and clean between major cleanings.
My car used to look like a catch-all for the city dump. Since I am in my car so much, I treat used to treat it like a drop off place for all extra items. It used to be that, at any given moment, I'd have at least three dollars worth of empty aluminum cans, sheaves of papers, library books, and a plethora of other items strewn about the inside of my vehicle. I was embarrassed to have anyone ride with me because I'd have to re-arrange the contents just to make space for them to be seated inside. And my trunk! It looked like a trash pile in there as well; things rolling around would sometimes make me think that my car's suspension had a problem! But no more: I have created a very simple method of organizing the my car and keeping it smelling fresh and clean.
TIP #1: Crate The Excess!
I purchased three inexpensive plastic crates that cost four dollars each; two for my trunk and one for the back seat of my car. I don't know about your trunk but mine holds not only emergency road supplies (a blanket, a jug of water, flashlight, gas additive, two extra bottles of oil, light jacket, gloves, snow scraper, hiking boots) but also various garage sale purchases, and seemingly endless other things that just appear out of some invisible black hole.
I used two crates in the trunk; one for the emergency road items and one for miscellaneous items. Wow! Suddenly, I didn't have to shift everything around to put groceries or department store purchases in my trunk! And, whenever I purchase breakable items at garage sales or department stores, they are safe in the miscellaneous crate and won't roll around should I have to brake suddenly (usually for yet another garage sale!) They also act as stabilizers for grocery sacks.
The third crate I placed in the back seat of my car for items such as library books or items borrowed from friends to be returned. Instantly, my car wasn't cluttered any longer! Plus, nothing gets "accidentally lost" under the seats anymore. Also, when vacuuming my car, I don't have to continuously pick things up to vacuum under them. These crates have really been a time saver for me, not to mention improving the look of my car!
TIP #2: The Glove Compartment
I don't think I have ever put a pair of gloves in this area of my car! But, oh goodness, the things that find their way into that glove box. I used to use this part of my car to cram gas receipts, tissues, paper napkins, maps, and my car manual plus whatever was in the way on my passenger seat when someone was to ride with me...that is, whatever didn't get pitched into the back seat! I found a way to organize this area: manilla letter envelopes. I have three; one for gas receipts, one for maps, and one for napkins and tissues. I finally cleaned out my car manual packet of all the old insurance cards and registration forms and the thing is at least 50% thinner! Now, whenever I need to add to my glove box, I have a place for everything that belongs there plus I now have room for my extra sunglasses, a couple of fresh packs of cracker snacks for the times I'm stuck in traffic needing a little energy boost, and plenty of space for a pen and small pad of paper for notes.
TIP #3: A Trash Bag
This is absolutely essential to any vehicle. For my trash bags, I keep a few plastic grocery bags tucked under the passenger seat for soda cans, empty cigarette packs, used tissues, empty fast food containers and other trash. By keeping on top of this type of trash, my car stays clean.
TIP #4: A Fresh Scent
Many people will buy special car deodorants for their vehicles but there is never a need for that expense: the very best way to keep your car smelling fresh is to put a dryer sheet under a seat. It's that simple.
Just like in the dryer, heat inside the vehicle causes the dryer sheet to release its fresh scent and your vehicle will always smell wonderful even if you are a smoker! Plus, the cost to you is so minimal (about 3 cents per dryer sheet), much cheaper than those ugly pine trees that dangle from the mirror or the cans of solid scent that sometimes will melt and spill on your interior carpet. I change the sheet out whenever I can no longer smell it, about once every three weeks. This method is cheap and effective.
Try these simple methods yourself and see what a difference they make in keeping your own car clean and fresh!
