I need to start by saying that I thought I’d be the last person ever writing this post. Up until recently my car mostly stayed littered with random toys, wrappers, socks and other trinkets. It was where toddler junk went to die and basically, it was a total disaster. Though I cleaned it out and vacuumed it regularly, somehow it would end up trashed again before I knew it. The cycle had to stop.
I found my muse in the form of my friend’s car. She has two young kids and I knew if she could do it, then I could to. It would just take a little firming up of our car rules.
For starters, the back stays sparse. Not to be confused with spick ‘n span. After all, there is dog hair back there that will never, ever come out, despite how I vacuum. However, the only permanent items include my Ergo (which I still use for Kaitlyn), Hailey’s dance bag and my stocked car bag.
Right now I have bottled waters too, just for back up. I like the keep this cleaned out for groceries, bags and to have a place to change Kaitlyn’s diaper. When she is done with diapers, I’ll keep a travel potty back here too. Mom life is glamorous, y’all.
So that’s the back, which the kids mostly stay out of, so let’s switch gears and chat about their territory- the middle row rules.
No drinks other than water. I’ve let lemonade slide before, but trust me, you don’t want milk or other beverages in the car. Inevitably something will spill and you won’t be able to get the stickiness and stench out of your car seats. It’s just not worth it.
If it comes is the car with you, it leaves the car with you. My girls got in terrible habits of packing up bags of junky little toys to bring in the car. They would play with them, throw them around, then they’d stay there, flooding the floorboard. No more. If you bring it in, then you take it out when you go.
The kids can choose one item from the basket at a time, then it goes back where it came from. We don’t do TV or screens of any kind in the car unless we are going on a long trip (3+ hours). I do, however, keep a basket of rotating books, coloring books and notepads. Hailey is super into writing right now and loves the blank pages of the notebook. We have tracing books too in which she can practice letters and numbers. For Kaitlyn, there are coloring books and picture books and of course our beloved Boogie Board.
All trash gets handed forward. Tissues, wrappers, stickers that lose their “stick” – they all are to be handed to me so I can keep them in a cup holder or plastic “car trash” that I empty every time I fill up with gas. Having one spot to clean out makes life so much easier.
Vacuum out the car at least once every two weeks. Honestly, I’d prefer once a week, but it doesn’t always happen. I’ve found, though, when I take the time to regularly vacuum it out, I’m much more likely to keep it all clean. Opening the car door and finding it tidy always has me breathing a big sigh of relief.
I can’t tell you what a more peaceful place this has made my car. The kids even seem to like the order and cleanliness more. I’m no longer embarrassed for a friend to poke their head in my car and I feel at ease whenever I get in, which let’s be honest, I’m hopping in and out of the car quite often!
Do you have car rules that keep your car from getting chaotic?
Or any other tips to share?
Kate says
Great tips. The basket is a really good idea. Lately, I have noticed random toys in the car, and while there need to be toys in the car for my 16 month old, I’ld much prefer a more tidy option than now. And thanks for the vacuuming reminder – I know it myself that I need to be more consistent with it, but I think I needed to hear it from someone else. 😀
Chantal says
Can they reach the basket in their seat or do they get to choose something beforehand? I ask because my daughter can’t reach anything in the van!
Brittany Dixon says
They can’t reach, but they don’t switch very often. I can reach it to hand them a new book, etc at stop lights. As soon as they are a little bigger, I’ll move it up between them 🙂
Jessica says
Love your rules!! I get so sick of having a dirty car and I know it’ll only get worse as the kids get older. I will be stealing these rules to ues with my kiddos. 🙂
Heather says
I keep canisters of car wipes (they make ones for leather, interior, & windows) so I can easily wipe things down and don’t have to wait until I can track down some spray and paper towels. You wouldn’t think it’s a big deal but it def makes it easier!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh I love this idea!!
Sara says
Hi! Love this post and thanks for the tips. Would you recommend the vacuum that you use? I am searching for a powerful car vac and have yet to find one I like.
Brittany Dixon says
I have this Black and Decker dust buster that I use (http://bit.ly/1QCIdp3). I love it EXCEPT that the charge doesn’t last very long. We have vacuums at our local gas station for free that are incredible so 90% of the time I use those and just use the dust buster for quick clean ups.
amy says
I live in Charlotte- what is this local gas station with free vacuums that I do not know about! That sounds amazing!!
John J. says
I was wondering if my genes in this area would ever kick in! Car clean outside as well?
Brittany Dixon says
I guess I’m a slow learner, but yes, your genes finally kicked in! Now… about the outside… as soon as the girls are old enough to scrub it 😉
Brittany Dixon says
Oh my gosh, right?! It’s $1 for a single bottle or you can get an entire case for $2.50. Crazy!
lauren says
Love this post! I’m trying to keep our cars neater. My almost 3 year old is such a hoarder and our commute has gotten much longer so we let him have snacks and drinks – usually water – in the car now.
I would love to know where you got that car bag! We’re pretty much done potty training, but that would be a great option to organize the trunk. Any suggestions for baskets sized like yours, trash can, etc. would be really helpful! My husband was looking at back of the seat organizers, but I don’t love that look. We’ll be turning our son around soon and one of my fears is him tossing some of those junk toys in the front to get my attention. He’s the best/worst of a 2 year old and threenager!
Katie D. says
It looks like a Thirty One Utility Tote to me (I’m a Thirty One consultant 🙂 )
Colette says
I have a car tidy thingy that hangs in the back of the front seats, it has little pockets for books and toys and my 4 yr old car reach them easily herself. You could also use a hanging shoe tidy.
I’ve also seen a good idea for a car bin, it’s a plastic breakfast cereal holder with a plastic bag inside, Google should throw up an image.
Of course I’ve yet to implement this idea myself! Lol.
Love your tips, definitely going to try some of those.
Oh and I’m loving that you are on snapchat now, watching you all the way from Ireland!
katie says
My car is in dire need of a detailing, but I just haven’t taken the time, hopefully soon, blonde hair and black interior might not have been my wisest choice, I wish I had a dog to blame it on!
Catherine says
Great, doable ideas! I REALLY need to enforce the “what comes in must go out” rule. I’ve got Hot Wheels galore in my car, and tons of books. It’s insane! I’m usually so pooped by the time we get home I just want to get in the house as quickly as possible. But that’s no bueno for the car!
Kaitlyn says
These are great tips! It sounds like the car rules have helped a ton! I like the idea of a basket with activities.
Selina Marie says
Thanks for the tips. My car has been littered with toys and trash. I especially like the “All trash gets handed forward” tip. Never really thought of it, but now that I do, it makes absolute sense.