Organizing the Car

I really enjoy just getting into my car and heading to whatever destination that I have planned whether it's simply to the grocery store or a trip. I hate it though when I have to stop and clean it out before I go because it's messy. In reality the car is more than just transportation it is more like a mini home away from home.

When it comes time to de-cluttering and reorganizing the car I always start with the inside, beginning with the glove compartment. The glove compartment is like the junk drawer of the car, and before you know it when you open the glove compartment everything comes spilling out. I like to start by cleaning out all the stuff that has accumulated in the glove compartment, throwing away all the garbage. I like to keep this space to store only functional items.

• Automobile owner's manual. I put my auto information, warranties on things like the tires, insurance card and registration, maps, notepad and pen all together in a plastic gallon bag. This also helps to keep the papers from getting mixed up and misplaced.
• A small first aid kit. There have been times that even a small first aid kit has come in handy. I check and update this kit about three times a year.
• Flashlight. Whenever I clean out the car I always check the battery on the flashlight.
• Napkins or paper towel. Never knowing when a spill or cleanup will be needed its great having this in an easy place to locate when the need arises.
• Disposable camera. Unfortunately accidents do happen and it's nice to have a camera ready if needed.

It is now time to move onto the rest of the car. I start this process by removing all the garbage and throwing away the obvious garbage. I do this for both inside the car and the trunk. The rest of the items I place into groups like music, kids' stuff, maintenance supplies, etc.

With everything out of the car and into piles it is time to clean the car. Cleaning the windows first and then wiping down the dash board. I take the floor mats out and shake them. Vacuuming the floors and the seats before putting back the floor mats, then I vacuum the floor mats.

In the back set I store the kids' stuff; this includes travel games, toys, and books. This is stored in a behind-the-seat organizer. Every couple of weeks I will change what is in the organizer so that the kids don't get bored with what they have.

• In my trunk I keep two different kits a survival kit and an emergency kit:
• Emergency kit includes things like a tire gauge, flares, booster cables, reflective tape, a help sign.

Survival kit living in a cold-weather climate this is essential. I include candy bars and energy bars, a couple bottles of water, candles, waterproof matches. These are just a few of the items that are kept in the survival kit.

Keeping my car organized I find the joy in traveling once again, even if it is a small trip to the grocery store.