If you have kids, there is little doubt that the interior of your car can use some help. Carting kids to and from school, activities, and lessons can leave you with very little time to clean your car. Instead of tossing out everything inside of your car, try these useful car organization ideas to keep things tidy and handy. Once you get rid of the trash inside your car, you’ll be left with a small hill of things that you really need. Here are five ways to keep what you need in the car without being forced to drive the clutter-mobile.
Car Organization Hacks & Ideas For Parents
Keeping a family car organized can feel like an ongoing challenge, especially with kids, busy schedules, and everything that comes along for the ride. From sports gear and school supplies to snacks and travel essentials, the clutter can quickly pile up. That’s why having a few smart car organization ideas can make such a difference. With the right systems in place, you can create a cleaner, more functional space that saves time, reduces stress, and helps every family member find what they need on the go.
Organizing your car can make your daily commute or road trips much more pleasant and efficient. Here are some car organization ideas to help keep your vehicle neat and tidy:
1. Keep Trash Bags Handy
Part of the problem with cars today is that they have no trash receptacle. Because it’s never a good idea to litter, you are often stuck tossing your garbage onto the seat next to you. Or worse yet, onto the floor. To curtail this problem, keep several plastic bags that you can reuse in your vehicle’s glove box at all times.
Any time that you need a trash bag, you only have to pop open your glove box and pull one out. When you reach your destination, simply take your bag and toss it into a trash bin. You can reuse grocery store bags for this job. You may like to have a small, blunt plastic hook in your car. This is especially great if you are on long trips where the trash may be ongoing. Or just tie the bag shut and dispose of it at your first stop. This is my favorite of all car organization ideas because nothing says messy like trash!
2. Backseat Organizers & Containers
Plastic containers are a great way to organize all of the things in your car that you use regularly. Small plastic storage boxes are cheap and can store everything from crayons and coloring books to first-aid supplies. You can buy new containers specifically for your car. Alternatively, you can look for containers around your house that you can put to good use. Old baby-wipe containers, plastic milk crates, shoe boxes and rinsed out ice cream containers all make great storage totes for your small belongings. Stow these storage containers under seats out of sight or in the glove compartment.
Use backseat hanging organizers that attach to the back of the front seats to hold books, tablets, water bottles, snacks, and small toys. This keeps essentials within easy reach for kids while preventing clutter on the seats and floor. Here is my affiliate Amazon link to the pair in the photo below.
3. Stock Up on Wet Wipes
If you have kids, you are guaranteed to have spills and sticky messes in your car. Keep a container of wet wipes or baby wipes in your car at all times. Not only are these great for small hands, but they’re good for cleaning off leather seats, dashboards and consoles. Here is a recipe for homemade disinfectant wipes.
4. Space-Saving Bedding for the Long Ride
If you travel with the kids frequently, especially if your trips are long ones, it makes sense that you would want to keep a throw blanket and a pillow or two in the car. However, blankets and pillows can take up quite a bit of room. So instead of bringing along full-sized comforters and pillows, look for those that are travel-sized. “C” shaped neck pillows make great car accessories. They can be wrapped around the posts of your headrests for easy storage. Thin fleece or thermal blankets take up less room than sleeping bags or comforters. They can be folded tightly for storage under your front passenger seat or in your car trunk organizer.
5. Car Trunk Organizer
Messy clothes go along with sticky spills, and you won’t want your child sitting in wet clothes for an entire car ride or day out. Make sure that you have one full, seasonally-appropriate change of clothing in your car at all times. An outfit for each child can easily be put into a single backpack and tossed into your trunk. Or you can get a cheap collapsible car trunk organizer (my affiliate link to my favorite on Amazon) to keep the spare clothing in along with some other essentials like a car emergency kit.
Invest in collapsible bins or trunk organizers to corral sports equipment, groceries, and emergency supplies. Having designated compartments helps prevent items from rolling around and makes unloading much quicker.
One quick bonus suggestion: Seat gap fillers are designed to prevent small items from falling between seats, such as phones, keys, or loose change. They are super handy!
Conclusion
Remember to periodically declutter and organize your car to maintain a clean and functional space for you and your passengers. Just because you’re a mom doesn’t mean that you have to drive a messy car. If you follow the five car organization ideas above, you’ll not only have a clean car, but an organized one that is a pleasure to drive, no matter how far you are traveling.
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Erin says
Love these ideas! Backseat organizers and trunk bins have been a game changer for our family too—it makes trips so much less stressful when everything has its own place. I really like the activity bag tip as well, such a smart way to keep kids happy on the go!
Joann says
Such helpful organization hacks! Having a clean and clutter-free car really makes family outings more enjoyable. I especially appreciate the trunk storage idea—it’s the perfect way to keep groceries, sports gear, and extra supplies neatly in place.
Loraine says
Your blog is a constant source of inspiration for me. Staying organized in the car really does make everyday errands and longer road trips so much easier. Keeping the car organized can make such a big difference in daily life, especially for families always on the go. I like how these ideas focus on creating a place for everything so clutter doesn’t pile up. A tidy car not only looks better but also saves time when you need to grab something quickly.
Pearl Marry says
These are genius solutions for a constant family struggle! The over-the-seat organizers are a game-changer for kids’ snacks and toys. I’d add a small, hanging trash bag to the list—it prevents so much clutter from accumulating. Implementing a ‘clean out the car after every trip’ rule has been our biggest help. What’s your best tip for containing backseat chaos?
Charisma says
These are genius and actually achievable solutions! The over-the-seat organizers have been a total game-changer for my kids’ snacks and toys. I’d also add a small, hanging trash bag to the list—it prevents so much clutter from accumulating. A tidy car makes every trip feel less chaotic.
Remisefox says
Great tips — keeping the family car tidy definitely makes daily life so much easier! I also like checking Remsiefox.fr for code promo on car accessories and organizers to stay clutter-free on a budget.
Digital Dopamine says
These car organization ideas are practical and make family trips so much smoother. The tips also spark Dopamine by showing how small changes can create a big sense of order and peace of mind.
Naman says
Hey Scarlet !
Thanks for sharing such wonderful organizing hacks. It’s really very helpful . Highly appreciated !!