Top Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Car

Believe it or not, I’ve helped clients organize their cars. Yup, cars pile up with excess stuff just like our homes. In fact, it’s pretty easy to clutter up a car because it’s a small space and you’re always busy when you’re in it, so you don’t typically take the time to tidy up.

Now, after getting you safely through the slushy, muddy late-winter weather, doesn’t your car deserve some TLC? It’s time to give it a good spring cleaning!

I’ll show you how to organize your car using my same CALM method that I use for your home. CALM = Clear, Assess, Locate, Maintain & Modify

CLEAR THE CAR
Grab two bags — one trash bag and one tote bag — and go through the whole car. First, bag all the trash — gum wrappers, dried-up Cheerios, used tissues (ick!). Next, put EVERYTHING else that’s not bolted down into the tote bag. Don’t forget to look:

• In the glove box
• In the center console
• In the door pockets
• In the sunglass compartment
• In the seat pockets
• In the trunk
• In the storage compartment under the cargo area
• Under the seats
• Between the seats

Get every last bit of junk out of there!

It’s likely that your car could use a good scrubbing. Now’s the time! Vacuum the interior and wash the exterior. Or pay your kids, your grandkids, or your neighbor’s kids to do it. Or treat yourself to a professional car wash.

ASSESS THE STUFF
Toss the bag of trash and bring the tote bag into your house. Dump it out on the floor or a big table. You want to be able to spread things out and evaluate exactly what you’ve been chauffeuring around all year.

Sort things into categories based on the various types of items you find.

• Driver’s needs (phone charger, sunglasses, phone holder)
• Documents (registration, insurance, EZ pass)
• Personal care (tissues, lip balm, hand sanitizer, lotion)
• Handy items (coins, pen, paper, plastic utensils, grocery bags)
• Kids’ travel items (toys, crayons, puzzle books, chargers)
• Weather gear (umbrella, ice scraper, blanket, towels)
• Emergency tools (jack, jumper cables, first aid kit)
• Stuff other people might think is weird to keep in your car (Pilates and gym socks, gift cards)

While you’re at it, separate anything that doesn’t need to go back into the car. Put these items aside and, once you’ve finished the car, be sure to put them back to their rightful places in your home.

LOCATE ITEMS
After determining what needs to be in the car, head back to the vehicle and find places to stash it all. Be sure to put the driver’s needs in places that are within easy reach. As a professional organizer, I love that most cars now come with a specific compartment in the ceiling just for sunglasses!

Use small zippered cases or even sturdy ziplock bags to corral like items. Alternatively, a jewelry roll case like the ones I use in my organizing tool bag are handy for grouping small items. This can be especially helpful in the glove compartment, which tends to devolve into a cluttered mess.

In the trunk, use a sturdy tote bag or a collapsible crate for larger items like grocery bags and emergency kits.

MAINTAIN & MODIFY YOUR CAR
To avoid cluttering up your now-neat car, take a moment when you exit to grab your excess stuff. One thing you’ll need to include in your car set-up is a small bag to hold trash. I like to use a paper lunch bag in the center console because it’s easy to swap out for a new one when it’s full.

As you use the car, rearrange and modify what’s where. Maybe you don’t really need the umbrella all that often. So instead of keeping it in the front door, you relocate it to the trunk.

SET OUT FOR ADVENTURE
Whether your summer plans include big road trips or just local tours, your drives will be much more enjoyable from the seat of a clean, well-appointed vehicle that’s ready for wherever your adventures take you. Where are you headed?