How to Keep Your Car Tidy with Children

Keeping your car tidy is tough enough, let alone when you fill it with children every day. They end up with so much trash and additional “luggage” it can be hard to find the floor after a day of hauling here and there. Following these tips will reduce the clutter, lessen the frustration and end the constant battle of the backseat barrage.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small garbage bag
• Seat back pocket or long handle tote bags
• Disposable window wipes
• Disposable hand wipes
• Travel-size lint brush

1. Use the seat back pockets to stash a few books, slim toys, travel tissues and miscellaneous back seat travel needs. If you do not have seat back pockets, drape a long handled tote back over the front seat so it hangs facing the back seat.

2. Store the small garbage bag, disposable window wipes and travel-size lint brush in the back or the trunk. Keep the disposable hand wipes in the middle console for easy access. Offer them up anytime someone in the car gets sticky, gooey or smelly.

3. As you make your stops throughout the day, take a minute to gather any garbage that has collected in the car. Use the small garbage bag to hold the trash until you can dump it in a trash receptacle. Recycle the bag (unless it gets sticky, gooey or smelly) and use it several more times to collect and dump.

4. While waiting to pick up one of your passengers, use your disposable window wipes to wipe down any prints on the windows. These can also work to wipe up vinyl, door handles and any other solid surface.

5. With leather seats, simply brush off the surface and wipe down any sticky spot with the disposable window wipe.

6. Cloth seats can be crumb free after using a lint brush on them.

Tips & Warnings

• To keep the car tidy, instruct all passengers on the car rules. No eating unless it is an easy finger food, like raisins, fruit snacks or single serving bags of crackers. Only allow water for a travel beverage, as it will always dry and won’t stain or leave an odor.

[anotherjen01]

on 7/9/2008 You can find disposable glass wipes at any large box retailer like Target, Walmart, Home Depot, etc... I think you could also find them at auto shops in the car cleaning sections. Thanks for reading-I use this "how to" all the time with an 18 month old, 5 & 7 year olds. Always cleaning!!!

[guayacamorena]

on 6/25/2008 great info, i have 2 kids a 3year old and a 1yr old so thank u... but where do i get wipes for the windows or any wipes work fine..?

[MadelineP]

on 6/3/2008 Great tips! I don't drive anywhere without my baby wipes anymore.