Traveling with children is a happy and exciting thing, especially when it’s a surprise destination. Any trek with your little ones is bound to leave your vehicle messy and that’s ok! Little ones only have eating, playing, and sleeping on the mind and they aren’t worried about whether their toys are strewn about in the backseat or how throwing their granola bar wrapper on the floor annoys you. 

Trying to keep your vehicle as tidy as possible with messy little ones can be physically draining as you establish new habits. Take a breather in between it all by playing your favorite casino game. Once you’re done taking that small break, now you can jump into implementing these tips on how to clean and organize your vehicle that works best for you and your children. 

Get a Car Trash Receptacle 

There are many car trash receptacles you can purchase on the market. Some of them hang on the back of your seat for your kids to place the trash in themselves once they are done eating a snack. You can also DIY a car trash can by grabbing a cereal container and a 4 to 8-gallon trash bag to line it so you can coral all your trash accumulated on the go.

Develop a Daily Clean-Up Routine

Having a receptacle to catch all the trash is just the first step. Depending on how many kids you have and their ages, not all the trash may make it into the receptacle. Factor in if your children have brought any activities like reading books and coloring books with them or toys that could get scattered all over the floor while running errands or on a long car trip. 

It’s best to develop a clean-up routine to keep your vehicle as pristine as possible. Prioritize bringing everything into the house that needs to come in at the end of the day such as uneaten food in lunches, the going-out bag that may need restocking (i.e. extra diapers and outfits), and anything purchased while you were all out. Letting stuff pile up in your vehicle just because you do not feel like bringing it in when you get home will only create more work for you in the long run. 

Do a Weekly Deep Clean

The daily clean-up routine reduces extra clutter lying around your car. The weekly deep clean ensures your vehicle is free of dirt, allergens, and germs that could have accumulated while traveling. Vacuum the rugs, wipe down all the seats, and disinfect the steering wheel and dash.

If you are motivated, remove any child car seats, if applicable, and vacuum under them, especially if you all regularly eat on the go. However, this could be a bi-weekly or monthly task if you and your children don’t eat in the car regularly.  

Utilize Organizational Tools

Use organizational toys to your advantage to coral everything you will need in the vehicle for on-the-go. Keep a few books for reading, coloring activities, and other toys of your choosing in a backseat organizer so everything is there for your children’s traveling entertainment. Try trunk organizers with different compartments for groceries and the contents of an emergency kit (i.e. blankets, extra outfits, umbrella, etc.) separated accordingly. 

Have A Kid-Friendly Clean Up Kit On Hand

Invest in a small cleaning caddy from the dollar store or utilize a small reusable bag to keep a clean-up kit in your trunk or under a seat at all times. Make sure it’s packed with a roll of 4-gallon trash bags, disinfecting wipes, stain remover spray, and a battery-powered handheld vacuum or a small brush and dustpan for easily cleaning up small messes. 

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