A tidy car isn’t just about looks—it’s a game-changer for your daily life. Imagine hopping into your vehicle and feeling instantly calm, knowing exactly where everything is. No more frantic searches for your sunglasses or embarrassing moments when a passenger spots a week-old takeaway container. A clean car can boost your mood, save you time, and even make your journeys safer. Plus, it’s a great way to show a bit of love to your trusty four-wheeled friend. Ready to transform your car from a rolling rubbish bin to a mobile oasis? Here are 24 simple hacks to keep your car spick and span.
Shower Caddy Centre Console
Turn a plastic shower caddy into a removable centre console organizer. It’s perfect for holding drinks, snacks, and small items. Plus, you can easily take it out to clean or use elsewhere. Look for a caddy with multiple compartments to maximize organization potential.
Cereal Container Rubbish Bin
Repurpose a cereal container as a car bin. It’s tall, slim, and has a flip-top lid to keep odours at bay. Line it with a small bin bag for easy emptying. Choose a container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent spills during sudden stops or turns.
Visor CD Case for Documents
Use an old CD visor organizer to store important documents like your insurance and MOT certificate. It keeps them tidy and within easy reach. This hack also helps protect your documents from sun damage and keeps them from cluttering your glove box.
Silicone Cupcake Liners for Cup Holders
Pop silicone cupcake liners into your cup holders. They catch crumbs and spills, making cleaning a breeze. Just pop them out and give them a quick wash. Choose brightly colored liners to add a fun touch to your car’s interior.
Back-of-Seat Shoe Organizer
Hang a clear, over-the-door shoe organizer on the back of the front seats. It’s brilliant for storing toys, snacks, and other bits and bobs for back-seat passengers. This hack is especially useful for long car journeys with kids, keeping entertainment within easy reach.
Magnetic Strips for Metal Tools
Attach magnetic strips to your boot lid or the inside of your toolbox. They’re great for keeping metal tools organized and easily accessible. This trick can save valuable space in your boot and prevent tools from rolling around during transit.
Dryer Sheets Under Seats
Tuck a few dryer sheets under the seats. They’ll keep your car smelling fresh and can also be used for quick dusting. Replace the sheets monthly for continuous freshness, or more frequently if you’re a smoker or have pets.
Toothbrush for Air Vents
Use an old toothbrush to clean those tricky air vents. The bristles can get into the narrow gaps, removing dust and debris effectively. For stubborn grime, dip the toothbrush in a mixture of warm water and mild detergent before scrubbing.
Foam Craft Sheets for Non-Slip Surfaces
Cut foam craft sheets to fit your dashboard and centre console. They create non-slip surfaces to keep your phone and other items from sliding about. Choose dark colors to reduce glare and complement your car’s interior.
Gum Container for Coins
Repurpose an empty chewing gum container to store coins for parking meters or toll roads. The flip-top lid makes it easy to access your change quickly. Label the container with different coin denominations to make grabbing the right change even faster.
Velcro Cable Ties for Chargers
Use Velcro cable ties to keep your charging cables neat and tangle-free. Attach one end to your car to prevent the cables from disappearing under seats. Color-code your ties to easily identify which cable is for which device.
Clothespin Air Freshener
Clip a wooden clothespin to your air vent and add a few drops of your favourite essential oil. It’s a natural, customizable air freshener. Experiment with different oil blends for various moods – try peppermint for alertness on long drives or lavender for calming traffic stress.
Mesh Laundry Bag for Sports Gear
Keep a mesh laundry bag in your boot for muddy sports gear or wet clothes. It allows air circulation to prevent mould and contains the mess. This hack is also great for beach days, containing sand and wet swimwear.
Shower Squeegee for Pet Hair
A shower squeegee works wonders for removing pet hair from car seats. The rubber blade collects hair effectively, even from fabric seats. For best results, slightly dampen the squeegee before use to create static electricity that attracts more hair.
Muffin Tray for Eating on the Go
Keep a silicone muffin tray in the car for road trip snacks. Each cup can hold a different treat, and the flexible material makes it easy to pour snacks into your hand. This hack also works great for organizing small items like coins, buttons, or craft supplies for kids’ activities.
Remote Control Caddy for Electronics
Use a remote control caddy to organize electronic devices and cables. Stick it to the side of the centre console for easy access. Look for caddies with adjustable compartments to accommodate different sizes of devices and accessories.
Coffee Filter for Catching Crumbs
Place a coffee filter in your cup holder to catch crumbs and spills. They’re cheap, disposable, and the perfect size. For extra absorption, use two filters stacked together.
Carabiner Clips for Shopping Bags
Attach carabiner clips to the headrest posts. They’re great for hanging shopping bags, keeping your groceries upright and preventing spills. These clips can also be used to hang lightweight jackets or bags, freeing up seat space.
Baking Soda Carpet Freshener
Sprinkle baking soda on your carpets, leave overnight, and vacuum in the morning. It absorbs odours and leaves your car smelling fresh. For stubborn smells, add a few drops of essential oil to the baking soda before sprinkling.
Paintbrush for Dusting Tight Spots
Keep a small paintbrush in your glove box for dusting hard-to-reach areas like around buttons and in crevices. A soft, angled brush works best for getting into corners and around dashboard controls.
Elastic Band for Bulky Owner’s Manual
Wrap an elastic band around your bulky owner’s manual to keep it compact. It’ll take up less space in your glove box. This trick also works for other car documents, keeping everything neat and easily accessible.
Microfibre Cloth in a Resealable Bag
Store a damp microfibre cloth in a resealable bag for quick clean-ups. It’s perfect for wiping down surfaces or cleaning up small spills. Add a drop of all-purpose cleaner to the cloth for tackling tougher messes.
Fold-Down Boot Organizer
Invest in a fold-down boot organizer. It keeps your shopping and other items from rolling around, but can be easily folded away when you need the full boot space. Look for one with insulated compartments to keep groceries cool during summer months.
Zippered Pencil Case for Emergency Kit
Use a clear, zippered pencil case to create a compact emergency kit. Fill it with plasters, pain relievers, and other small essentials. Include a list of emergency contacts and any important medical information for quick reference.
I'm Danny, a home maintenance pro who loves to write about some of the weird, wacky, and downright dangerous things I've seen in all my years on the job. And I enjoy helping folks avoid making costly mistakes with simple home maintenance tips and hacks.
