It’s my one New Years resolution: to clean my car and keep it that way. My downfall, however, is the same that follows the rest of my resolutions: If I don’t change how I do things, my goals won’t take root.
One way to keep those New Years resolutions—beyond buying a new car—is to add organization to the car, you can swap out old, worn or dated equipment for new and follow these clean car tips to make your ride feel fresh and new.
New year, new you, right?
This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
New Years Resolution #1: Organize Your Documents
There’s nothing like looking for your registration or insurance card only to find stacks of receipts, dried out tubes of hand lotion or a wrinkled owners manual. Somewhere in that mess is what you’re looking for, certainly. But good luck finding it.
We love @Shannonskiptomylife’s suggestion of repurposing Dollar Tree finds for document organizing, clean car tips and more.
Read: What You Need to Know About Car Insurance – Terminology Made Easy
New Year’s Resolution #2: Glow Up Your Car’s Interior
I’m a sucker for a beige interior, so it’s no surprise I’m also a fan of @teresalaucar‘s pretty, pretty, pretty organization ideas for her car’s interior. She even dresses up the bottle of Clorox wipes.
New Years Resolution #3: Try Harder. You Can Do It
I wish I could be this organized. I think I may have been at one time in my life until I realized that toddlers really believe that bandages are stickers made for fun games, and I gave up. However, it’s time for a reset and @lifeinjeneral is making me rethink my pushbacks.
Read: Car Maintenance Made Easy: Best Paint Remover for Cars
New Years Resolution # 4: Buy the One Thing I Truly Need
Brittany Vasseur had me nodding my head at her clean car tips; she had me hooked with the cup-holder sized trash can that fits in her car’s bottle pocket and the expandable storage bin that goes between kids car seats.
But she knocked me flat with this purse holder. It goes between the front seats. This is simply brilliant.
Read: 15 Great Places to Put Your Handbag, Tote Bag or Crossbody Bag in the Car
New Years Resolution # 5: Clean up Your Carpets and Floor Mats
I’m a fan of clever ideas, and this idea @Creative_Explained is a pretty good clean car tip. It’s probably best with removable carpet mats, but should work equally well on plastic floor liners, but I’d try it on any carpeted surface. Even if it only loosens dirt and dog fur, the carpet will be easier to vacuum. Which leads me to car cleaning top #6.
Read: Car Cleaning Confidential: Here Is How to Clean Coffee Out of Car Carpet
New Years Resolution # 6: Do a Better Job Vacuuming the Car
The car has more nooks, crannies and unreachable spots than practically anywhere else we find ourselves. And of course, that’s where dog fur, lipstick caps and stray Goldfish love to hide. So I’m investing in a nook-and-cranny sized vacuum that will get up close and personal with all that dirt and those lost objects.
Read More: Need a Little Extra Luck? Crystals in the Car Do the Trick!
New Years Resolution # 7: Look Up, Then Clean There
Imagine my utter surprise when I climbed into the car a couple of years ago to find *someone* had neglected to clean up a spewn soda—at least I hope that’s what it was. The light beige headliner was splattered with some sort of caramel-colored substance that was embarrassingly horrible. After suffering for a bit, I found this foaming upholstery cleaner that did the job nicely. There are more shopping options here, too.
New Years Resolution # 8: Let the Sun Shine In
The sunroof may be the most ignored space in (or on) your car. Inside can get finger-printy; outside can get water or leaf stained. I like this extendable cleaning set that allows me to clean the top of the car, the top of the windshield and the sunroof without standing on a ladder. Or, having to go to a carwash.
New Years Resolution # 9: Keep Your Promise to Your White Interior
Years ago I committed to a white interior and never once regretted it. That’s because Magic Eraser is truly magic on all things simple and impossible.
Including blue jean dye. Yup. Even if your perfectly chic navy jeans leave a mark on your perfectly parchment leather, a quick swish with a Magic Eraser will undo the damage.
New Years Resolution # 10: Keep All Your Other Resolutions with This Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Adapter
It’s easy enough to commit to those self-help podcasts and best-selling books, except when you can’t listen to them in the car because you don’t have Apple CarPlay. This adapter will change all that. Just plug it into your USB port and connect via Bluetooth and voilá, your Spotify and Audible apps are now accessible via the touch screen. Brilliant!
New Years Resolution # 11: Keep Your Cars Neatly Stored, and Color Coded
Ah, if only I had this Beyoncé problem: so many cars to store. Though, if you’re the parent of a child of a certain age, this is probably an issue in your house. I love @athomewithliv‘s idea: add a magnetic strip to a wall or storage space and let the cars hang out for everyone to see. And admire.
And then, as you put your kids to bed and stare at that strip of Mustangs and Chargers and Camaros, plan the next car on your list to own, and how you’ll store, and clean, and organize it.
