Here we go, folks! We’re all using our social distancing super powers for the near future. It’s an unsettling and uncertain time, so let’s do what we can to make the most of it.
For Neatnik, this means, tackling those organizing and spring cleaning projects you never seem to have time to do. Today begins our “Project of the Day” series to help you optimize your time at home by tackling those projects we never seem to have time to do. If you’re suddenly working from home or no longer driving your kids to school, think about these projects as things to accomplish during the time you would have spent commuting or carpooling.
Please share these daily projects with your friends and family and suggest they follow Neatnik socials. We can follow along together to clean up and organize our houses—and share our experiences!
Project #1: Clean Out Your Car
Many of us spend hours each day commuting or transporting kids to activities. When you spend that much time in your car, you need a lot of stuff. Let’s face it: for many of us, our cars are disasters! Here’s a guide to getting it cleaned up:
Step 1: Take Everything Out
Start by taking everything out of your car. Throw away the trash and put away things that don’t belong in your car. Consider what actually needs to be in your car.
Step 2: Wipe Down the Inside of Your Car
Now that your car is empty, wipe everything down. Seats, steering wheel, dashboard, handles, everything. We like to use these products for this task:
Armor All Wipes 20 Wipes in a Pouch
Casabella Microfiber Chenille Mini Duster, Assorted Color
Bonus Step: Vacuum Your Car
If you have time to do this and you feel like it, take out the rugs and vacuum them and the inside of your car.
I keep this in the car for vacuuming up messes as they arise and when I can:
Step 3: Get Organized
Think about what you really need to keep in your car. If you want to keep supplies such as hand sanitizer, wipes, pens, pencils, tissues, and some kids items in your car, make sure they’re all easily accessible.
Over-the-seat organizers work well for kids and can also be easily accessed from the front of the car, if necessary. There are a lot of good options available; just think through what you want to put in the organizer before making the purchase. Here’s one that we like:
Heavy Duty Back Seat Car Organizer
Another option for storing kids’ supplies — or just basic supplies for a back-seat passenger — is a simple, small bin with a lid. Items such as crayons, sticker books, juice boxes, snack packs and toys can be stored in a clear container that can be easily brought in and out of the car and restocked as necessary. Here is one that would work well:
IRIS Medium Deep Modular Latching Box – Silver Handle, 6 Pack
Lastly, there are some fancy organizers that can sit between two kids on a back-seat bench and are kept in place with a seat belt. If you’re looking for something more temporary and easy to take in and out, a couple of regular canvas bins can also hold snacks and supplies. Here are some options that we like in these categories:
Awekris Large Storage Basket Bin Set
Step 4: Compartmentalize the trunk
Unless you’re regularly hauling large items around in your trunk (like we do!), consider keeping a few bins in the back to contain objects that are always in your car — items such as reusable shopping totes (you only need a few!), a first-aid kit, a blanket, a few water bottles and snacks, and sports equipment. It will save space to have these items organized in bins, and you won’t have random objects strewn around your car or rolling back and forth as you drive. Again, a couple of basic bins will work, but there are also storage products designed for the trunk of your car. Here are a few we like:
SCOUT Rump Roost Medium Storage Bin
MIU COLOR Foldable Car Trunk Organizer
A couple of other items you might want to keep in your car:
Surviveware Small First Aid Kit
Down Under Outdoor Large Waterproof Windproof Stadium Blanket
Bonus Step: Keep Your Car Clean
Easier said than done, I know. But now that your car is clean, it’s pretty easy to keep it that way. Just regularly remove the trash and wipe it down. Each day, remove things that don’t belong there and put them away.
Neatnik hack: Every time I fill up my gas tank, I use that time to empty the trash out of the car and wipe everything down. The timing works out perfectly. I don’t have time to vacuum in that period of time, but the rest is done and it’s an easy way to keep up my car, which is full of snacking carpool kids most days. Try it and let me know how it works for you!