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?
Janet W. says
August 18, 2016 at 8:05 amOne way I keep my car clean is I use a grocery bag as a trash bag!
Ashley says
August 18, 2016 at 11:10 amThat’s a smart idea!!
Cathy French says
August 18, 2016 at 2:08 pmI always keep a small trash bag in my car to collect all the garbage for easy cleanup
Ashley C says
August 18, 2016 at 2:12 pmWell, 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.
Natalie says
August 18, 2016 at 2:44 pmI vacuum my car once a month and keep a washcloth in the glove compartment to wipe off my dashboard.
Destiny says
August 18, 2016 at 7:53 pmI keep a plastic bag in the car to throw away any trash.
Elyse Smith says
August 18, 2016 at 8:38 pmDryer Liners to get bugs off
nauch says
August 18, 2016 at 8:50 pmI 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.
Ashley says
August 18, 2016 at 9:08 pmThat’s a great idea!!
Jeanna Massman says
August 19, 2016 at 3:05 amI always carry a tub of disinfectant wipes in the car. An empty tubs make great trash containers.
Sheila Ritter says
August 19, 2016 at 3:08 amI keep small plastic containers with lids to store small toys, dvds, snacks and I always keep plastic bags to put trash in.
Cheryl says
August 19, 2016 at 8:17 amI keep cleaning supplies in the car and use a trunk organizer.
Dana Rodriguez says
August 19, 2016 at 10:00 amI keep car wipes on hand in case of a spill.
Brenda C says
August 19, 2016 at 10:02 amEnjoyed the tips and the website was written In a wa
JenniferB says
August 19, 2016 at 4:23 pmalways use large totes for items in car
Cheryl B says
August 19, 2016 at 10:05 pmI always clear the car everytime I drive it, that way it always stays clean looking.
Stephanie Beaver says
August 19, 2016 at 10:11 pmThe coffee filter idea is genius!
Charc says
August 20, 2016 at 8:49 amI try to keep garbage bags in my car in order to throw away old stuff! Thank you so much for this!
Lesley F says
August 20, 2016 at 5:16 pmI have a trunk organizer and make sure all the junk is taking out after each trip
Melissa says
August 21, 2016 at 10:48 amWhenever 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.
Tyler LeFevre says
August 21, 2016 at 11:05 pmGood floor mats
Mona LeFevre says
August 21, 2016 at 11:07 pmHave a bin in the trunk of the car.
Tim LeFevre says
August 21, 2016 at 11:08 pmMake sure your shoes are clean before entering the car.
Teryn LeFevre says
August 21, 2016 at 11:10 pmKeep organizing boxes.
Alison Cowart says
August 22, 2016 at 12:00 amI 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.
Kim Niland says
August 22, 2016 at 12:27 pmI keep a big cereal storage container in my car to use it as a trash can to keep my car clean
Debbi Wellenstein says
August 22, 2016 at 2:03 pmI 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!
Cheryl Everitt says
August 22, 2016 at 4:32 pmI keep handi-wipes in the car for fast cleanups.
Sherry Compton says
August 23, 2016 at 10:32 amI keep it well stocked with napkins, wet ones, and a bag for trash.
Nicole Carter says
August 23, 2016 at 10:50 amThe only thing I do is have a little garbage bag at all times for the mess!
Cindy says
August 23, 2016 at 1:52 pmI do not eat in my car.
Karen says
August 23, 2016 at 2:08 pmKeep large plastic bags in your trunk for garbage instead of throwing it on your floor.
Jennifer says
August 23, 2016 at 4:01 pmWe remove the trash each time we leave the car.
Laurie Nykaza says
August 24, 2016 at 2:50 amI keep a nylon organizer bag in the car with extra jackets and towels in it.
ellen beck says
August 25, 2016 at 2:03 amI keep my car clean by ming everyone pick up after themselves and if there is a spill wiping it up as soon as possible.
Jessica says
August 25, 2016 at 5:44 pmGreat 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.
Kristen Joiner says
August 26, 2016 at 4:17 amI 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.
Amy Orvin says
August 27, 2016 at 2:58 pmOne way I keep my car clean is to vacuum small crumbs and debris with my trusty red devil vac.
Tara Tara says
August 27, 2016 at 6:53 pmI 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!!
Stacy says
August 28, 2016 at 1:42 pmI 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.
paige chandler says
August 29, 2016 at 5:00 pmI keep a car trash bag in my car
Hannah says
August 30, 2016 at 10:52 pmnever leave trash in car
laurie murley says
August 31, 2016 at 12:30 amI try to clean it before I get out of it every time
al says
August 31, 2016 at 10:27 amSimply don’t own one.
wen budro says
September 1, 2016 at 12:55 amI’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.
cassandra m says
September 1, 2016 at 7:04 amI clean my car once a week.
Annmarie W. says
September 1, 2016 at 9:26 amMy hubby gave me a trunk organizer for Christmas and I always use it! No more stuff ‘rolling around’ the back of the car!
sharon says
September 1, 2016 at 3:23 pmI keep a small grocery sack for trash and otherwise just try to bring things in and not leave them in the car.
Brandon Sparks says
September 1, 2016 at 8:02 pmI always clean my car out once a week
Jerry Marquardt says
September 1, 2016 at 10:44 pmI keep organized in the car by having a great organizer behind the driver’s seat and a garbage bag to help keep
Susie says
September 25, 2017 at 9:14 pmI love the paint brush idea! I hardly ever get in there!
Vanessa says
September 25, 2017 at 9:16 pmThe toothbrush idea is great! Those textured surfaces look cool, but are not very easy to detail clean.