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If you’re too embarrassed by the state of your car to give someone a lift home, it’s probably time to sort through the mess. For many of us, the car becomes a dumping zone or temporary storage unit. Make it feel brand new again by cutting the clutter and keeping it that way. Here’s where to start.
Clean
Before you do anything, remove all of the items from you car and give it a thorough clean.
Use baby wipes or a vinegar-based surface cleaner to wipe down the dashboard, steering wheel and cup holders.
Next, use your vacuum’s brush and crevice attachments to clean the car. Don’t miss the boot, door pockets and down the side of the seats.
Remove floor mats and shake them out, then vacuum the floor underneath. Use a floor cleaner if necessary. Then vacuum the mats before you replace them. Try sprinkling the floor with baking soda and leaving it overnight to remove any smells. Just vacuum it up in the morning.
Keep cup holders clean by popping in a couple of silicone cupcake liners.
Sort
Sort everything you’ve removed from the car into four piles:
1. Car essentials.
2. Things that belong back in the house.
3. Charity.
4. Rubbish.
Think carefully about what you need to keep in your car. Too much stuff can weigh your car down and use up more fuel, so choose judicially.
Things you may want to keep in your car
1. First Aid Kit with painkillers and emergency medication.
2. Packet of disposable wipes. This will help keep your car clean.
3. Insurance and registration documents, and roadside assistance information.
4. A pen and a small notepad.
5. Umbrella.
6. Reusable shopping bags.
7. A plastic bag for rubbish.
Organise
If you have children, it’s easy to accumulate food containers, toys and games. Keep track of the things you do want to keep by storing it all in a see-through shoe organiser that can hang on the back of the seat. Make a habit of using the pockets to store essentials and keep clutter off the floor.
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