Real Solutions For Living...Clear Your Car Clutter

Do you sometimes feel as though you live in your car? Between commuting to work, being our kids' taxi driver, and our on-the-go lifestyles, it's no wonder we spend so much time in our vehicles.

With all this time spent in our cars, we end up accummulating all sorts of paraphernalia in the floor, under the seats, between the seats, on the seats, on the dashboard, in the hatchback, and in the trunk. Not all of these items are necessary. Not all of these items are useful. And I bet you not all of these items are organized.

Of course, you could run out and buy any number of those nifty new car organizers that are popping up on the market today. But what good is a new-fangled organizer if you haven't first sorted through the mess to see what you really need to organize?

So my first suggestion is to grab a trash bag and take it with you the next time you head out to the car. For a few minutes, toss all obvious trash within reach. If you then have the time, energy, and are up to the task, continue gathering all the trash you see. Start on one side of the vehicle and work your way across to the other side. Work in the front of the vehicle, then move to the middle, then move to the back. Do a systematic sweep of your car, looking for any and all trash as you go.

Your next step, whether you choose to do this now or at a later date, is to get a box, bin, bag, or basket and gather all items that do not belong in your vehicle. Again, do a systematic sweep through your car from side to side, front to back. Then take all of these collected items and put them away where they rightfully belong.

Yeehaw! You are almost done! Next, gather what needs to be kept in your car. Assess what you have. Sort these items by category: emergency equipment, travel necessities (maps, tire gauge, proof of insurance, etc.), personal items (umbrella, wipes, hand lotion, etc.), and so forth.

Take a look at each category and determine where they would be best stored. Where in your vehicle do you have adequate space? Which items need to be within the driver's reach? Some items may have to be stored away from their categories, depending on their frequency of use.

Yippee! Your car is cleared of clutter! Now all you have to do is keep it that way, which isn't hard. Just take a minute every few days to do a quick sweep with two bags: a trash bag and a "belongs elsewhere" bag. With the trash removed and items that don't belong removed, be sure what has to stay in your vehicle is where it should be. That's all you need to do.

Happy Organizing!