Gari

Your Car:

Do you apologize for the condition of your car every time you give rides? Is there a mysterious stench emanating from an unknown source? Is that a french fry or a pencil? People, your car is your mobile home, except it doesn't come with a mom to clean it or make you sandwiches. Keeping your car clean and organized is a way to answer all these questions. Naturally, this will take some time, so I'd set aside an hour or two for this project. (Time is a mere guestimate as some cars will need more work than others).

1. Take EVERYTHING out of your car: CDs, trash, knick knacks, papers, the flashlight you have in your glove box or the gloves that should be in your glove box, etc.


2. Make two piles; this will be eerily similar if you've already organized your locker except this time the piles are: Pile 1: CAR and Pile 2: TRASH.
   

   Throw away ALL your trash and KEEP it out. Designate a spot in your car that you can just throw trash momentarily--except the floor. Then, either once a week or when it's full, throw all your trash away. That way, it won't be everywhere.

   
   

   Look EVERYWHERE for trash, not just the floor. More times than not, there will be trash shoved in between seats, in the rear seat pockets, and anywhere in between. These are not keepsakes; throw them away.



3. The middle console of your car is NOT a trash can. NOT. It is a place where you can NEATLY store your sunglasses, CDs, and anything else you might NEED in your car. Me? I keep a massive stash of Chick-fil-a mints along with my makeup, CDs, window markers (for when my friends and I decide to be hooligans), and some extra things I need on the road. The mints are fun because I offer them to every passenger and savor them any time I'm in need of a little extra something.


4. Ever find yourself in a drive thru looking everywhere for an extra penny? Bring a little cup and put all your spare change in it. Some cars even have nifty little organizers like those people at arcades!! So cool.


5. Add some personality to your ride. I have pictures and little sentiments in the visors of my car. Grab an air freshener to give your car an extra fun smell. HANG THINGS FROM YOUR MIRROR. It could be anything! One of my friends has a Buddha on her dash. Then there's always that swaying hula girl. Hang a favorite necklace or charm. If the interior of your car has loose fabric, you can pin things to it: breast cancer ribbons, notes, anything small, really. Whatever you do, make it all about YOU.


6. Keep your trunk free of clutter. Do you REALLY need everything that's in there? Really? Everything? Heck no, clean it out.


7. The best way to keep a car clean? DO NOT EAT IN IT. Ask any of the people I drive around, I have a NO food rule in my car. I'm such a psycho about it that one of my friends tried to clean up the drink she accidentally spilled with the shirt she was wearing. Good news: it worked. In all honesty though, food is the downfall to any car. It creates lasting, unpleasant aromas and has a very high probability of causing a mess. But whether or not you choose to follow this advice, ALWAYS have napkins somewhere in your car. This has proven to be a lifesaver multiple times.


8. WASH YOUR CAR FREQUENTLY. If you spruce up your car regularly, the interior can keep clean for a while, but clean the outside of your car as much as you can. And when you do, vacuum around the inside. Spritz your favorite sanitizer onto the dash and steering wheel. Why not throw in a couple sprays of Febreeze while you're at it? Don't forget about your mats!

With a clean and organized car, you can invite people to join you for a ride without having to go red with embarrassment.