Things You Can Declutter from Your Car

 

We use our car to travel almost daily whether it's running errands or driving to a vacation destination.  So it's no surprise that it can accrue a lot of junk and clutter.  At least once a year you should do a major declutter of your car's interior.  Here's a list of things to declutter.  Trash

Obviously, trash should not have a home in your car unless it's in a tiny garbage bag you change regularly.  So any fast food scraps, papers, broken items, water bottles, and plastic bags should be removed and discarded appropriately.  If you keep multiple mugs or reusable water bottles in your vehicle, it's time to remove those once and for all.  When you bring one in with you, take it out with you to wash out and store in the kitchen when you're done.  Trash makes up A LOT of the junk we keep in our cars.

 

Clothing

Extra pairs of shoes, blankets, towels, and other clothing items that you had in your car one time and never removed need to go ASAP.  Wash them and place them where they belong.  If you keep a blanket in your car for emergencies, consider storing it in your trunk.  Same with an extra pair of shoes for emergencies. I'll explain why later but you don't want things visible in your car if someone looks in. And if you keep an extra sweatshirt or jacket in your car and you actually use it from time to time, consider folding it up and storing it in the pocket in back of your seat so it's out of sight.

 

Misplaced Items

Books, DVDs, headphones, a promotional packet from an event, toys, and other miscellaneous things should always be removed from your car.  Make it a habit to keep things you need to take out of your car and put away that same day in your front seat or cupholders.   If you keep certain things in your car for your kids or any other reason, consider putting them in a plastic shoe bin and keeping them in the trunk or tucked under a seat out of sight.  

 

Tools

That one time you needed a screwdriver for something and then you let it sit in your backseat for 6 months is a reminder of why you need to put things away the same day rather than leave them in your car.  I keep a screw driver in my center console for emergencies but it's out of sight.  

 

Center Console, Glove Box, and other stashed items

You should remove everything from every pocket of your car interior and every console or interior box to see what all you have in there and put things in a new home.  These spaces should only be used for items you will permanently keep in your car. 

 

That being said...there are some things you can keep in your car but they should always be out of sight from potential burglars up to no good.  Interior storage spaces should be kept clear so they can fit the necessities.  

What to Keep in Your Car

Registration and Insurance

Car Manual

Poncho or Umbrella

Trash bag

Napkins

Tissues

Hand Sanitizer

Blanket for emergencies

First Aid Kit 

Flashlight

Screwdriver

Sunglasses

Pen and paper in case you need to exchange information with someone and your phone is dead or damaged

Phone charging cord

 

Having a neat and tidy car is actually a deterrent for people looking to break into cars.  If they can't see anything at all - why bother? 

 

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA