This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Fresh Wave. The opinions and text are my own.
As a mom, a clean car is usually the last thing on my mind. I mean, don’t get me wrong, if the trash starts falling out when I open the door or the funky smell starts to set in, I take action. Until then, cleaning the car is usually something that falls to the “will do eventually” category for me.
Between dropping kids and all the other pressure of everyday life, cleaning something that you literally sits outside doesn’t seem that important.. until someone asks you for a ride or it’s your turn for carpool.
Check out these simple, cheap, and unexpectedly easy hacks for a clean car in no time.
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Wipe down your dusty dashboard with a coffee filter.
The coffee filter attracts and holds the dust but also doesn’t leave behind lint.
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Clean inside hard to reach places like A/C vents with a paint/foam brush.
Some A/C vents pop out for easy cleaning, but for those of us that don’t have that, a paint brush is the next best option to cleaning your vent.
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Use silicone cupcake liners in your cup holders.
They will catch any spills and are super easy to clean.
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Keep your cup holder clean by storing your change in an empty gum container.
Not only does this make your change more accessible, but it will also keep your cup holder from smelling like a rusty penny (or in my case, the change from all sticking together after spilling coffee).
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Always have Fresh Wave Handy!
My child’s car seat tends to be one of the stinker places in my car. For some reason it’s a magnet for every crumb, sand particle, and sticky thing in that ends up in the car, and I have no idea why. Oh wait, yes I do… maybe it’s because he is a four-year-old, potty training, toddler. Fresh Wave products remove odors using natural ingredients meaning it safe to use around kids and pets! Fresh Wave contains no harsh chemicals, no heavy perfumes, and no toxic ingredients. And, even sweeter, Fresh Wave comes in a variety of forms.
Personally, I like the spray for the fabric like in the car seat. I like to follow that up by tossing a gel pack into one of the cup holders to keep my car smelling fresh. Fresh Wave is available at national retailers like Target and Ace Hardware, as well as online.
You can learn more about Fresh Wave here.
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Change your air filter.
If you clean your entire car but still can’t get rid of that musty odor, it may be time to change your air filter. It’s a really simple process that require absolutely no tools in most cases. For you car guru’s looking at this, yes that is my engine air filter. My car does not have a separate cabin air filter, and changing the engine air filter really does help with smell issues.
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Use dryer sheets to get stuck on bugs off!
Dryer sheets easily remove stuck on bug yuck from your grille and headlights. -
Use a toothbrush to get dirt out of textured surfaces.
Toothbrushes are like amazing little tiny scrub brushes that work really well to get the ground in dirt out of places like the door of the car! -
Prevent your trunk from becoming a catch all.
Reduce clutter in your trunk by investing in a trunk organizer. Always have a place for everything. Otherwise you’ll have to send your car to Junk Cars in Broward sooner than you think. -
Keep toys and other essentials organized.
I use a cheap shoe organizer that I ordered from http://quickyclean.com. Just add a couple of zip ties around the head to store toys, tissues, and any other essentials you might need. This will keep them easily accessible while keeping your car neat and organized.
Being a mom is rough, make your life a little bit easier by never being caught of guard with a dirty car again! Am I missing some of your shortcuts? Share them with me in the comments! What are some of your favorite car cleaning hacks or ways to stay organized?
One way I keep my car clean is I use a grocery bag as a trash bag!
That’s a smart idea!!
I always keep a small trash bag in my car to collect all the garbage for easy cleanup
Well, it’s a new vehicle, so it really hasn’t had time to get dirty yet. However, we do have a trunk organizer and back seat organizer. So for right now, it does stay organized.
I vacuum my car once a month and keep a washcloth in the glove compartment to wipe off my dashboard.
I keep a plastic bag in the car to throw away any trash.
Dryer Liners to get bugs off
I leave a liner (even if just a ripped bag) on the floor elsewhere if there’s food involved – it’s saved the upholstery multiple times.
That’s a great idea!!
I always carry a tub of disinfectant wipes in the car. An empty tubs make great trash containers.
I keep small plastic containers with lids to store small toys, dvds, snacks and I always keep plastic bags to put trash in.
I keep cleaning supplies in the car and use a trunk organizer.
I keep car wipes on hand in case of a spill.
Enjoyed the tips and the website was written In a wa
always use large totes for items in car
I always clear the car everytime I drive it, that way it always stays clean looking.
The coffee filter idea is genius!
I try to keep garbage bags in my car in order to throw away old stuff! Thank you so much for this!
I have a trunk organizer and make sure all the junk is taking out after each trip
Whenever I’m filling the car up with gas, I use those few moments to grab any garbage I see in the car & throw it away.
Good floor mats
Have a bin in the trunk of the car.
Make sure your shoes are clean before entering the car.
Keep organizing boxes.
I always have disinfectant wipes in my car (or, at the very least, baby wipes), just in case of “emergency”. It has saved my car from a sticky mess on many occasions. I also find that, when my husband is driving, I may just reach for one and kinda clean the passenger side of the car while we are getting from point A to B.
I keep a big cereal storage container in my car to use it as a trash can to keep my car clean
I have a bag for trash in side my car-it’s the only way I can keep the car from turning into a garbage dump!
I keep handi-wipes in the car for fast cleanups.
I keep it well stocked with napkins, wet ones, and a bag for trash.
The only thing I do is have a little garbage bag at all times for the mess!
I do not eat in my car.
Keep large plastic bags in your trunk for garbage instead of throwing it on your floor.
We remove the trash each time we leave the car.
I keep a nylon organizer bag in the car with extra jackets and towels in it.
I keep my car clean by ming everyone pick up after themselves and if there is a spill wiping it up as soon as possible.
Great tips. I love the cup holder idea. I always hate cleaning that spot in my car. I’ll be doing that ASAP. Thanks for sharing.
I always have a garbage bag in the car and I have a hand vacuum that I use maybe about once a week to cleanup small messes.
One way I keep my car clean is to vacuum small crumbs and debris with my trusty red devil vac.
I love my behind the seat pocket organizer (I have it flipped to the front), so that I can stay organized from the time I get in my car to the time I get out! Everything has it’s own place. And, when someone rides with me, I just turn it around to the back of the seat. 🙂 I also do the same thing that Janet said in her comment…use a plastic grocery bag for a trash can. When it’s full, take it out, throw it away, and grab a new one! Great post and thx for the opportunity with this awesome giveaway!! Good luck everyone!!
I have been using a silicone cupcake liner in my cup holder since I bought my new car in April, and it really helps! Otherwise, since it is a new car, I don’t eat in it or really do anything to get it too dirty.
I keep a car trash bag in my car
never leave trash in car
I try to clean it before I get out of it every time
Simply don’t own one.
I’m not quite as diligent at keeping my car clean as I should be. I clean up spills, keep food out of the car, and air it out when I can.
I clean my car once a week.
My hubby gave me a trunk organizer for Christmas and I always use it! No more stuff ‘rolling around’ the back of the car!
I keep a small grocery sack for trash and otherwise just try to bring things in and not leave them in the car.
I always clean my car out once a week
I keep organized in the car by having a great organizer behind the driver’s seat and a garbage bag to help keep
I love the paint brush idea! I hardly ever get in there!
The toothbrush idea is great! Those textured surfaces look cool, but are not very easy to detail clean.