Majority of people rely on their car everyday to commute or just simply running errands. Our vehicle is almost like our mobile home if you really think about it. We have a tendency to leave a lot of items inside of it, especially if you have kids. Having a cluttered vehicle can cause all kinds of issues such as poor air quality, bug infestation, and even accidents.
There are a few things I do personally to keep it clean. I want to share what I did and hopefully this will help to keep your vehicle clean.
01. Be minimal
I became more minimal in my lifestyle and it made a huge impact on my car’s environment. I had fewer items to carry around. As a result my vehicle had fewer items stored inside. However with children and if you have, it will be difficult to keep clean. I have a toddler and on any trips we take long or short, it leaves a mess. Frequent cleaning is needed to maintain a clean environment.
02. Get a portable vacuum
I bought a portable hand-held vacuum that helps to quickly clean up any mess. This comes in handy if you have children. It would be expensive and a hassle to always take your vehicle to get washed. You can also opt for a hand-held dustpan. It’s cheaper but requires more effort.
03. Go to a gas station
I like to use the opportunity to throw away trash when I go to the gas station. It’s efficient so you don’t have to waste time going to car wash.
04. Use public trash cans
On your commute you can stop by a public trash can if available and empty your car’s trash. You can also buy one of those portable automotive trash cans. This will help you store your trash in one place instead of it being all over. One useful tip I have is taking your trash with you. This can be coming home or going to work. If you have empty cups for example, taking it with you once you exit the car will help maintain a clean car overall.
05. Get a trunk organizer
Get a trunk organizer. You can have all your item organized instead of it rolling around. Try to only keep things you need in the car and throw things away like empty boxes and bottles. Some people tend to keep the packages of items they opened and forgets to throw it away after. Don’t let more than a couple days pass without throwing it away. If I buy something that I may need to return, that’s the only time I keep the box in stand by.
06. Opt for Electronic receipts
Most stores are able to give you digital receipts except for like convenience or grocery store. Sign up for electronic receipts. It’s a lot easier than keeping paper receipts. Your car’s compartment door is probably filled with receipts. Fewer paper receipts to keep around will help eliminate that.
We tend to hold on to these receipts in the hopes to return the things we buy. If you paid with a card, most of the time u don’t need the receipt. The only time I think you need it is for proof or buying for someone else. Make a habit of throwing out the receipt as you leave the store if you don’t need it or tell the cashier you don’t need it. I like to look over the receipt and make sure I have everything before I throw it away. If you do have to keep it I suggest you keep it separately to make finding it again easier.
07. Ask your passengers to take their trash
If you have family or friends that ride with you and they bring on items such as snacks and beverages, after the trip politely ask them to take their trash. This is good practice especially if you use your car to carpool and doing this will always keep your car clean.
Conclusion
Always being aware of your vehicle’s condition will help overall with maintenance. Doing regular checks will help you have an optimal operating car and save you trouble down the road. Having a car clutter free will make your driving experience that much better.