Rev Up Your Summer
Car Organization That Works
We basically live out of our car during the summer, so I need my vehicle to be somewhat organized in order to prevent our lives from spiraling out of control! As I scrubbed at my dirty car today, I thought about what I need to do to get it ready for this weekend’s tournament.
Even if you don’t have three ballplayers going in different directions, your car can probably use a little refresh as we transition to a new season. There are three basic steps to getting and keeping your car organized for summer (or any season, really): declutter unnecessary items, anticipate your needs for the season, and add in some organizing tools.
Step 1: Clean Out What You Don’t Need
The first step to achieving a well-organized car for summer is to remove all unnecessary items. Looking at you, winter survival kit “food” from the 1900s.
Start by taking everything out of your car, including the trunk, glove compartment, and door pockets. Just dumping the trash will make a huge difference!
Sort through the non-trash items and decide what can stay and what needs to go. Be ruthless—if you haven't used it since there was snow, it’s likely no longer essential. Old receipts, expired coupons, and single mittens should go. Extra winter items can be put away for a few months (yay!). Use this opportunity to vacuum the seats and floors, wipe down surfaces, and give your car a refresh.
Some things just need to stay in the car. We have a little plastic tub with our emergency supplies, air compressor, and work gloves. The tub sometimes annoys me, but not as much as these items just floating around back there. I recommend looking for a small bin that slides under a seat or into the trunk for these rarely used but essential items.
Step 2: Anticipate Your Needs for the Season
With summer comes a new set of activities and requirements for your car. Think about your typical summer outings: lake trips, appointments, baseball games, road trips. What are things you’re always bringing with you? Sunscreen, hats, a change of clothes, and snacks might make the list. Keep these items handy so you have them when you need them.
Who travels with you often? Your tween’s teammates? A toddler or preschooler? The parent you drive to appointments? Anticipate what might be helpful for the people who are often in your car. Consider helpful items like baby wipes for an emergency cleanup, quick snacks for a commute, or an extra pair of sunglasses because someone always forgets.
Make a list of these essentials and plan to keep them in your car for easy access. For these items, a small caddy or wipe-able bag might be best, so you can bring it all to your stops or into the house to replenish as needed.
Step 3: Add Organizing Tools
Now that you’ve cleaned out the unnecessary and anticipated your needs, it’s time to stock your car with summer essentials. Here are some suggestions to help you stay organized and prepared:
Storage Solutions: Invest in trunk organizers, seatback organizers, or small bins to keep items tidy. A trunk organizer can hold sports equipment and lake gear, while seatback organizers are perfect for keeping kids’ activities, snacks, and water bottles within reach.
Emergency Kit: Winter isn’t the only time you might encounter unexpected challenges, so ensure you have an updated emergency kit. Include items like a first aid kit, flashlight, jumper cables, and a tire repair kit (if you’re the type of person who can manage tire repair—I am not). Don’t forget extra water and a portable phone charger.
Comfort Items: Keep a stash of summer-specific comfort items like blankets or towels, a windshield sun shade, and sunscreen. These can be lifesavers during hot days.
Cleaning Supplies: Summer fun often means dirt and sand. Keep a small cleaning kit in your car with wet wipes, a hand vacuum, and trash bags. This will help you maintain a tidy and pleasant environment. Make a habit of emptying the garbage whenever you get gas.
Entertainment: When I had kids in car seats, I had a sturdy bag that sat right between the two kids. It was a great catch-all for the things babies and toddlers seem to have and need, and an easy to way to transport those items to and from the house. (I can’t find the exact one but it was similar to this one.)
Maintenance Tips
To keep your car organized throughout the summer, establish a routine to tidy up and restock as needed. I recommend a weekly refresh. For me, it’s either when we get home from a tournament or before we leave for one! Fifteen minutes on a Friday afternoon or whatever time makes sense in your schedule will make an enormous difference.
Encourage your family to put items back in their designated spots after each outing. I realize this is easier said than done, but I promise that taking two minutes when you get home to reset will be worth it! This can prevent the we-have-to-leave-now panic of missing items. Empty the trash regularly, for instance every time you get gas (or plugging in your Tesla, I guess).
Be the Boss of Your Car
By following these three steps—cleaning out what you don’t need, anticipating your needs, and adding in some organizing tools—you’ll transform your car into a well-organized, functional space perfect for summer adventures. With everything in its place, you’ll be able to enjoy your summer activities without the stress of car clutter or missing items. Happy Summer!
Oh hey there! I’m Ashley, and I love my job as a professional home organizer in Jamestown, ND. I help people clear clutter and get their homes organized. Judgement is not included in my services! No matter your starting point, we can declutter, organize and set you up in a space that works for you. We’ll work together and when I leave, you’ll have the systems to keep it up.
Click HERE to schedule a complimentary consultation to chat about how I can help you be the boss of your stuff.
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