Keep Your Ride Clean

Everything you need to know to keep your car in order.

There’s nothing more frustrating than knowing you put something in the car, but not being able to find it when you (or the kids) need it. Suddenly, it turns into an impromptu treasure hunt while you should be focusing on getting to your destination. But truth is, busy families spend a lot of time in their vehicles, so it’s crucial to keep them organized both for comfort and safety. Here are some suggestions to put the brakes on clutter, keep organized, and make every trip in the car a joyous ride.

SORT IT OUT

Take a weekend to empty the entire contents of your vehicle, from the trunk right through to the glove box, remembering any small compartments along the way. Comb through everything to determine what needs to stay in the vehicle and what could be thrown away, and then sort them into these handy categories.

COMMAND CENTRAL

Cell phone chargers, MP3 adapters, satellite radio units, portable GPS navigation systems, etc. There are a growing number of gadgets taking up space in the cockpit. Keep the accessories corralled (and wrap or spool their cords to keep them tangle free) in a Clever Store bin. It’s easily stashed out of view under the passenger seat and can quickly be taken inside at the end of the day.

TOY BOXES

Kids need entertainment during long commutes, but their activities always seem to end up all over the vehicle. Clever Store 15 qt. Clear Boxes store ample amounts of coloring books, markers, headphones, dolls or anything else they want to take along.

STORED UP

Sturdy 14 Gal. Roughneck Storage containers are great for groceries. Load your shopping bags into the totes to keep the bags from falling over, or just put food directly inside. Affix Velcro® strips to the bottom of the containers to keep them firmly in place when empty, and leave them in the car for unforeseen trips to the store.

CATCH ALL

Shoebox-sized totes slide under a seat and hold paper towels, tissues, hand sanitizers, wipes and other quick clean-up essentials. It’s also handy to hold extra take-out items like straws, napkins and ketchup packs.

FIRST AID KIT

Create a homemade first aid kit with assorted sized adhesive bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic cream, cotton balls and swabs, and keep it in a compact container with a secure fitting lid, to keep dirt out. This practical package is ideal for families with mini-athletes and young children.

ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT

Put a 3 Gal. Roughneck Storage Box in the trunk to hold breakdown and emergency supplies such as jumper cables, flashlight, hand-crank radio, map, a blanket, non-perishable snacks and water.

FINAL DETAILS

Vacuum the floor, mats and upholstery thoroughly, including under and between the seats, in cup holders and cubbies, to get rid of crumbs and dirt. Clean up any sticky messes and spot treat stains and ground-in dirt. Wipe down the insides of all the windows, mirrors, dashboard, steering wheel, etc. At this point you could hose down the vehicle in the driveway, but why not treat the family to a leisurely drive, then pop through the carwash on the way home?

Previously Featured on Rubbermaid's blog.

Browse solutions from Rubbermaid to keep your vehicle organized on MSCDirect.com.