Car Organization for Moms: My Best Tips For All Vehicles!
One of the biggest features I judge a car on is cubby space. As a mom, my center console & glove box are extremely important to hold any back up/emergency items. So how do I utilize my spaces? Well that’s what I’m here to share with you all!
Today, I’ll be sharing all my car organization tips that are perfect for any vehicle! Although it can feel difficult to maintain a clean car with kids, simple changes make the day-to-day much easier.
You can find everything I shared on my Amazon page under “Cubby Space Necessities”.
Organization Isn’t Just To Reduce Clutter, But For Safety
Before starting your car organization journey, remember that safety is the number one priority each time you step into your vehicle. Every object present in the car during a drive (from toys to groceries) is called a projectile. This may not cause a huge initial concern, but projectiles can be really dangerous in an accident.
At any high speed collision, small objects cause great risk to you and your kids because of the large amount of force they pick up. What seems like a simple object can turn into a hazard quite quickly.
I know what you’re thinking, you have to be able to pack things in your car for your daily commute. Yes, I’m not deterring this at all, but advising to limit all unnecessary objects in the car and use organization to store them properly.
Now all the safety talk is out of the way, let’s dive in to my organization must haves!
Begin With A Good Cleaning
Before any car organization can occur, start with a clean slate to really freshen up your vehicle. No matter how much I try, with three kids in the car crumbs seem to follow.
Grab a garbage bag, vacuum cleaner, and the interior cleaner of your choice. If you’re really looking to step up your vehicle and keep it smelling fresh, take a trip to the Car Mom Car Wash! Our cleaners are made with clean ingredients that are safe for both your vehicle and kids.
Remove all unnecessary items, wrappers, and crumbs. Vacuum away the dirt and dust, wiping down surfaces as you go. Once you’re finished, the organization will feel a lot easier (and more satisfying) to maintain.
First Row Organization Staples
Once your car feels like a fresher and newer version of itself, it’s time to focus on the first row. With so much back and forth during the week, I like to make the driver and passenger area feel like my own oasis of sorts.
First Row Tips Overview:
Use a mini trash can
Purchase seat gap fillers
Prioritize tidying the middle console and glove box
Create bags with essentials for each passenger
My first staple is one I cannot recommend enough: a mini trash can! Although the door cup holders were the makeshift placeholder until I got my mini trash can, this helps keep my car so much cleaner. I never thought I’d be one of those people that found so much joy in the little things, but all the wrappers, papers, and receipts no longer end up on the floor.
Second, I advise any parent to order seat gap fillers as soon as possible. Not only is it convenient to no longer have to fetch my phone if it drops, but it eliminates an all too common reason for fender bender accidents on the road. Shifting just slightly over to the center console, this should not be a catch-all. I keep three storage bags, one for me, and two for the kids.
Here’s what I keep in my 1.5 year old son’s bag:
Pair of jammies & socks
Extra diapers
Emergency hot wheels
For my 4 month old daughter:
Jammies & socks
Extra diapers
A toy
And my final bag, it’s sort of my personal pharmacy bag! Here’s what I keep:
Hand sanitizer
Lastly, take the time to organize both the glovebox and middle console. For me, I am a bag lover, so I keep personal items, first aid, and things my kids always ask for in three separate ones. As for the glovebox, do yourself the favor and organize all your necessary driving documents into one manila envelope- it will give you peace of mind if they’re ever requested. I like to keep this information in the storage in my trunk, but it’s all about personal preference. This list will change as my kids grow older and I switch out cars but this is what works for me as a mom with two under two!
Here’s what I keep in my glove box:
Some extra cash & quarters
Second Row Car Organization Staples
With kids in the backseat, chaos can easily take over. Although I try my best to control it, keeping everyone safe is top priority and any clutter can be fixed later. That being said, I do have a few tips that have worked really well for our family.
Second Row Tips Overview:
Use backseat organizers for a few go-to items
Limit snacks
Car Backseat Organizer For Second Row
Backseat organizers are a great catch-all option for books and a few toys. This has been a great option that allows my kids to manage clean-up on their own (with gentle reminders from me of course).
I write this knowing it’s easier said than done, but limit snacks as much as possible. The crumbs and wrappers are the number one culprit of mess in my car. On the note of safety, choking with all my kids has been a concern for me while driving. By only allowing certain snacks on longer drives, it’s given me a lot of peace of mind.
Trunk Organization Staples
When organizing your trunk, space efficiency is a huge consideration, but so is your safety. Trunk organization should revolve around what you carry and how to secure each item down in an efficient and simple manner.
Trunk Tips Overview:
Limit items to only what’s essential to daily commute
Strap down loose items with a foldable crate
Don’t forget an emergency car kit
When considering trunk essentials, think about what fills it up most frequently. Groceries? Sports equipment? Diaper bags? Foldable crates are the best way to corral loose items without taking up space, just make sure it fits all your things without too many gaps.
Don't forget to stash an emergency car kit with essentials like a spare tire, jumper cables, and a flashlight. This is also where I keep registration papers so they’re not taking up too much space in the front. Other than that, keep everything in your car as minimal as possible- for your safety and decluttering purposes.
Car Organization Is A Daily Practice
Although it can feel overwhelming, car organization does not have to be complicated. This guide will set you up for success in the beginning, but remaining consistent is the only way to keep your car clean for the future. My final tip is to set a rule that everything comes out of the car at night. This is the best way I’ve found to keep clutter as minimal as possible.
Do you have any car organization staples? Let us know in the comments! And if you’re looking for a Car Mom reviewed vehicle? Check out the latest car walk-throughs below:
