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Did you know that Texan drivers spend an average of three hours behind the wheel of their cars every day? You may spend so much time in your car that it feels like a second home. Cars can very easily become disorganized, which brings needless anxiety to your day. But it does not have to be that way. A little extra car organization can go a long way.
Here I am going to take a look at some common trouble areas in your car and make some suggestions for how to arrange and organize each one.
Before Beginning a Car Organization Session
Before you tackle car organization, give your vehicle a simple, quick clean-up. Set a 15-minute timer, toss garbage, clear clutter, give surfaces a fast wipe-down with a wet cloth, and vacuum where appropriate. If you don’t have one, investing in a small car vacuum is an excellent idea, both for this larger decluttering and organization session and for helping keep things in order once you are done.
Keep Loose Change in Check
Where does your loose change go in your car in order for you to know where it is when you need it? You need all your cup holders, and it’s hard to access little coins when they are tossed in one of those random open slots in your dashboard.
Solution: Buy a dedicated car change sorter, or make use of a small lidded container like a pill bottle to store your change. Put the sorter of your choice into the center console, door pocket, or back in the cup holder, if you happen to have a spare one! When the container is full take it to a Coinstar machine and you may be very surprised by just how much you’ve saved! Think of it as your reward for keeping a more organized car, and treat yourself to something nice with this ‘bonus’ cash!
Keep Car Paperwork Organized
Some documentation is in your vehicle for a reason – registration, insurance proof, owner’s manual for your car, auto service records- and some is not – old mail, out of date circulars etc. Fix this issue and cut the paper clutter in your car and it will make a bigger difference than you might expect
Solution: Buy a small accordion organizer and file most of your vehicle’s paperwork inside. Keep things you might need often – registration and insurance cards especially – close to hand. Store these in a document organizer that has a magnetic back. If you choose a magnetic one then you can attach it to the dash so that you do not need to fumble in the glove box should you need to present it at a traffic stop.
In your larger file, mark each organizer section to help you find paperwork quickly when you need it. When you receive it, put new important paperwork in the file. Store this file in your glove box.
Make the Most of Your Cup Holders
Some of the hardest-working elements of your car interior are cup holders, but they can also be a lure for dirt and clutter.
Solution: To keep them clean, line cup holders with silicone muffin liners; simply throw the silicone liners when they get dirty in the dishwasher. Purchase a cup holder adjuster to make it work for you if your cup holder is not the right size for your daily beverage of choice (like that trenta Starbucks coffee that helps keep you sane and awake on your busiest days!)
Create a Formal Car Trash Can
In no time at all, having garbage and no place to put it will make your vehicle look like a dumping ground.
Solution: Define a particular place to put garbage, whether it’s in a real trash can (a compact one lined with a recycled grocery bag works well) or in a bag that’s stashed in your door’s side pocket.
Turn to Trunk Organizers
The trunk is a big, open space, which makes it hard to keep under control.
Solution: Buy a trunk organizer for essential items, or divide your trunk up into useable spaces with large plastic bins.
Store and Organize Essential Emergency Supplies
If you don’t already have emergency equipment in your car at all times, you need it. Your car should always have a basic auto toolkit, a small first aid kit, and emergency equipment like flares. But where to put it?
Solution: Store emergency equipment on top of the spare tire under the floor of your trunk, for easy access and to keep it out of the way.
Look for Unused Surfaces to Add Storage
Your car interior has a lot of untapped areas that can be used to provide additional storage in your car.
Solution: Hang a small shoe organizer from the backs of the front seats. For the driver and front seat passenger, buy a seat-side organizer for storing essentials and keeping things away from the car’s essential moving parts. Suction cup shower caddies can be used on side windows, and are handy for road trips with kids.
On the dash invest in an organizer – they are very inexpensive – to mount your phone and keep charging cables neat and organized. You can also find other dash storage trays that offer even more, like coin holders.
Small Solutions for Occasional Needs
Sometimes you need a place to keep groceries, your sunglasses, or extra phone cords. Keep a few small items in your car to help with organization in a pinch.
Solution: Items like seat-back hooks (where you can hang groceries or your purse), binder clips (use to keep sunglasses on your car visor, or to contain extra cords), or zip ties will take up little space, but are very helpful when you need them. Keep them in your seat-back organizer or in a bin in the trunk.
Keeping Your Organized Car Clutter Free
Once you have done the harder work of decluttering and organizing your car as a formal project, you’ll obviously want to keep it that way. Set a time to spend a few minutes once a week to give a quick touch-up to your car interior and reset it for maximum organization. During this maintenance time, revisit each of the trouble areas I’ve covered here to keep your car clutter-free. Decide on the same time every week for this car chore, ideally a time when it can be completed efficiently and effectively.
Working with Taya and her team is easy. You can book an appointment easily on her website, or contact her directly at 832-271-7608
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