Keep Your Car Organized this Summer
School days are winding down and the countdown to summer has begun. Our neighborhood pool opened last weekend and we are eagerly awaiting our first backyard s’more session. Unfortunately the rain hasn’t quite stopped just yet and my patio furniture is still covered. Boohoo. We are so close. And everyone in the Seattle area said “Amen.”
After school yesterday, my three kids helped decorate a fun paper calendar that I printed for a wall in our playroom full of vacation dates, swim lessons and other family outings we’re looking forward to this summer. My husband and I are Google calendar junkies but there’s something visually about seeing it displayed on the wall that I love. Now my oldest can count down the days until our annual trip to Crescent Bar. YAY.
While the warm weather and sunshine are welcome, all this summer fun can lead to a messy car. Anyone else have a little extra sand in their car after a day at the beach? Or forget band-aids for the inevitable scraped knee? Keeping your vehicle organized not only makes trips more enjoyable but also ensures you have everything you need within easy reach. Here are some practical tips to keep your car tidy this summer.
Start with a Clean Slate
Before you can organize, you need to declutter. Remove everything from your car, including the trunk. Sort items into categories: keep, toss, and relocate. This helps you understand what you really need to keep in your car.
Essential Supplies Only
Be selective about what you keep in your car. Essential items might include:
First aid kit
Emergency roadside kit
Sunglasses
Water bottles
Non-perishable snacks (“Mommmmmmm, I’m HUNGRY!”)
Phone charger
Use Organizers
Invest in some car organizers to keep things tidy:
Car Seat Headrest Hooks: Keep handbags, purses, or coats off the ground
Trunk Organizers: These are perfect for keeping your trunk neat and storing larger items like sports gear, groceries, or emergency supplies.
Console Organizers: Keep small items like pens, coins, and receipts in order within your car’s center console.
Utilize Bins and Boxes
Small bins and boxes can be lifesavers for organizing:
Plastic Bins: Use stackable plastic bins in your trunk to separate items by category.
Collapsible Boxes: These are great because they save space when not in use but can expand to hold a variety of items.
5. Trash Management
Prevent garbage from piling up:
Car Trash Can: Invest in a small trash can that fits in your car. Maybe you’ll be more motivated to empty the trash after it’s filled with snack wrappers. Or maybe you won’t. But at least you tried to corral the chaos. My husband’s favorite question, “did you empty the garbage?” My response: “No but I kept your children alive! You’re welcome.” :)
Trash Bags: Keep a stash of trash bags handy for easy disposal of waste on the go.
Routine Cleaning
Make car cleaning a regular habit:
Weekly Quick Clean: Spend a few minutes each week removing trash and putting items back in their place.
Monthly Deep Clean: Once a month, vacuum the floors and seats, wipe down surfaces, and check under the seats and in the trunk for forgotten items. Peace out goldfish. Or maybe that’s just my car.
Mobile car detailing service. Overwhelmed? Taylor’s Auto Detailing team comes to you and does a phenomenal job. Can’t recommend their service enough. Reach out to schedule and he can help you too!
Contain Loose Items
Loose items can make your car look messy and can be dangerous:
Velcro Strips: Attach Velcro strips to items like tissue boxes or small bins to keep them in place.
Cable Ties: Use elastic bands to bundle similar items together, such as charging cables or pens.
Keep Kids’ Stuff Organized
If you have kids, their items can quickly take over your car:
Activity Bins: Use small bins for each child’s toys and activities.
Snack Bags: Keep a separate bin for snacks to avoid crumbs and spills all over the car.
Seatback Organizers: These hang on the back of your front seats and have pockets for storing everything from tablets to snacks.
Digital Organization
Reduce paper clutter by going digital:
Digital Documents: Store important documents like registration and insurance information digitally, if possible. Haven’t had to say this yet but I’m prepared. “Hi officer, I’m married to my insurance agent. Let me call him real quick because I don’t know where my evidence of insurance is!”
Apps: Use apps for maps, music, and roadside assistance to minimize the number of physical items you need.
Emergency Preparedness
Ensure your emergency items are easily accessible:
Emergency Kit: Keep a well-stocked emergency kit in the trunk.
Tool Kit: Have a basic tool kit available for minor repairs.
Keeping your car organized this summer doesn't have to be a daunting task. With a little planning and the right tools, you can ensure your vehicle stays tidy and ready for all your summer adventures. Implement these tips and enjoy a clutter-free, stress-free summer on the go!
Jessica is the founder of Signature Organizing, a Professional Home Organizing Business in Washington (servicing the greater Eastside and Seattle area). She loves transforming chaos into functional spaces and is known for bringing creative solutions to improve the quality of life for her clients. She shares her tips and tricks on Instagram @signatureorganizing
