Tired of a Messy Car? Here’s What Parents Need to Keep the Inside of Their Cars Clean

If you’ve got kids and a messy car, these are the gadgets you need.

April 18, 2023

By: Amanda Mushro

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The Best Gear for a Mess-Free Ride

If you’re like most parents, your car quickly starts to feel like your second home. From running kids to and from school and activities to checking off the endless items on your to-do list, you’re probably spending a lot of time in your car. Also, your kids may leave quite a mess inside your vehicle. Dropped snacks on the floor, random toys on the seats, and endless pieces of paper all over the car — it doesn’t take long for a clean car to become a big mess.

Believe us, there’s no judgment here because our car is a mess too! However, since we don’t have time or money to get our car fully detailed inside and out constantly, we need a few products that can help us tackle the mess. From a cleaning gel that looks like slime to a small vacuum, here’s everything you need to keep your car clean (until your kids get in and make another mess!).

Cupholder Coasters

These coasters fit right inside your cupholders and catch all the spills and messes before they get all over your car. When the coasters get dirty, just wash them off with soap and water — and when they dry, put them back in your car. Such a simple, genius invention!

BUY IT: Amazon, $5.99

Sunglasses Holder

If your sunglasses are usually tossed somewhere in your car, keep them off the floor with this sunglasses holder. It just clips to your visor and you slide your glasses in. Now, you don’t have to worry that your sunnies are gone forever in your minivan.

BUY IT: Amazon, $14.99

Headrest Hooks

From book bags and purses to gym bags and grocery bags, keep everything off the floor by attaching these hooks to the back of your headrest. Just put the bag handles on the hooks and the floor of your car will stay clean and organized.

BUY IT: Amazon, $5.72

Mini Vacuum

If you don’t have time to take your car to get detailed (honestly who does have the time?!), then this mini vacuum is the next best thing. With over 250,000 reviews on Amazon, this cordless vacuum is lightweight, powerful, and can be charged in your car. From spilled cereal on your car floor to dog hair on the seats, this vacuum is a great option.

BUY IT: Amazon, $29.99

Car Garbage Can

The random grocery store shopping bag just isn’t cutting it as the garbage can. Instead, get this car trash can that fits inside a cup holder or in the pocket of your car door. The lid makes sure everything stays put inside the can and the sleek design means it’s not bulky and won’t take up too much room. The can is tiny and convenient!

BUY IT: Amazon, $10.99

Drop Stop

This one is pretty genius. To prevent your phone, bag, pencils, and even a random french fry from falling in the abyss that is the space between your seatbelt and the center console, the Drop Stop fills that space. Each set comes with two, so both the driver side and the passenger side are covered.

BUY IT: Amazon, $24.99

Tide Antibacterial Spray

If you’ve cleaned your entire car and there is still an odor lingering, use this spray. It sanitizes and freshens fabrics and kills 99.9% of bacteria. Even in really smelly cars, this spray clears the air and leaves a nice, light scent.

BUY IT: Amazon, $11.97 (2 Count)

Cleaning Gel

The next time you are sitting in the school pickup line and you’re staring at all the dirt, dust, and crumbs in your car, break out a jar of this cleaning gel. Yes, it looks like your kid’s slime, but it’s actually way better! The gel is designed to clean all sorts of hard to reach places in your car. All you do is press it into the air vents, steering wheels, console panel, cup holder,etc. and the gel picks up all the dirt. The gel can be used over and over, so your car stays clean thanks to some magic slime!

BUY IT: Amazon, $6.99

Windshield Cleaner Kit

With a few swipes of this microfiber windshield cleaner, your entire windshield will be dirt and dust free. It comes with a spray bottle and multiple microfiber towels, and it breaks down for easy storage.

BUY IT: Amazon, $15.39

Trunk Organizer

This organizer can keep the items you keep in your car every day all in one place. From an extra set of clothes for the kids and a first-aid kid to extra snacks, you can put everything in this trunk organizer and keep it off your floor.

BUY IT: Amazon, $11.99

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