At the start of a new year, many of us make resolutions and get motivated to freshen up both our lives and our homes. But have you thought about your car? Often our vehicle is a reflection of our lives, filled to the brim with people and their “stuff!” Since it’s often easier to do these unpleasant tasks in short amounts of time, let me give you a few tips to organize and clean out your car in just a few minutes.
Organize Your Papers
The glove box is the perfect place for organizing your auto information and paperwork, including warranties, manuals, registration, insurance information, maps and records of oil changes and repairs. A coupon book with dividers is a helpful way to organize these papers.
Are you a parent of a teenage driver? Make sure he or she knows where all the vital information is located and what to do in case of an emergency. Keep an extra car charger for cell phones as well.
Organize for Safety
Automobile safety on the road is of utmost importance, so keep a toolbox in the trunk with necessities for travel, such as a first aid kit, flashlight, multi-tool, matches or other fire starter, energy bars or MREs (the instant food that heats up with just water) and water bottles. A toolbox is a handy storage organizer for these items, as well as tools for auto repair, such as a tire pressure gauge, duct tape, jumper cables and tire repair kit.
If you have space between your seats, this is the perfect place to keep things organized.
Organize Your Children’s Stuff
If you have children, you know they come with a lot of stuff! Take the time to organize your kids’ DVDs, CDs, toys and snacks so travel will be more pleasant. Use a net that fits on the back of the front seat for storage, or buy one of the clever organizers designed just for that purpose.
Empty the Trash
Do you have a place for trash? Why not use a plastic cereal keeper placed between the seats? You can keep it sealed until you’re able to empty it, and by all means, remain diligent in disposing of your trash!
Keep It Clean
I don’t know about you, but when I keep something clean, it makes me feel like I’m spending my money wisely. It’s just like my children’s floors, where their clothes seem to land continuously. If we spent money on it, they can keep it off the floor! The same holds true for the car. When I vacuum the inside and wash the outside, I’m taking care of what I’ve spent good money on and ensuring that the vehicle will last longer.
Also make sure the mirrors are clean, especially in winter weather. Safety and organization go hand in hand to keep you prepared on the road! With just a little bit of work, you can organize and freshen up your car and make travel safer and easier.