How to Organize Your Messy Car

For many people, a car is more than just a mode of transportation; it's a temporary home away from home. Over time, the interior of your car can be filled with important things and junk alike - from bank statements to leftover McDonald's. Setting aside an hour or to to tackle a cluttered car can easily make more room for passengers and cargo. And just like an organized home, an organized car makes you feel better and saves you time.

1) Clean out your car

• Take everything out of your car, including car seats and miscallaneous items stored in the glovebox, door pockets, and trunk. If it's not attached, it comes out. Collect and throw away all trash/garbage, and set anything you think you'll need to the side, outside the car. This is a great time to wash and vacuum the interior of your ar as well.

2) Analyze and sort

• There are three main categories – items you use all the time, items you use occasionally, and items you'll need in an emergency – and anything that doesn't fall into those categories should be stored elsewhere. Then, prioritize the items in each group: which items do you need at hand, and which can be delegated to the back rows? Keep in mind that seasonal items (such as ice scrapers and tire chains) can be packed away for the summer.

3) Store it away

• Your glove compartment should contain your car manual, small pocket flashlight, your registration and insurance information, and perhaps a small notebook containing important phone numbers (such as emergency contacts and car repairs). Small items such as batteries can be put in resealable bags and stored in the glove compartment as well.

• Place your CDs in a plastic container (such as Ziploc's 9.5 cup rectangular storage container) or a CD container, and keep it in an area that is accessible, but out of the way. Try to limit the number of CDs to a realistic amount; most people don't listen to all the CD they keep in their cars.

• Maps and guide books (if necessary) can be put in the side pockets of the passenger's side door.

• If you have kids who carry toys and games in the car, you may want a pocket organization that can fit over the back of your front seats. That way, the items won't be rolling around on the floor.

• Use separate bins or crates for each category of items you typically keep in the trunk. These might include roadside emergency equipment/supplies, sporting/gym equipment, and groceries.

4) Maintain

• Clean your car out every one or two weeks by gathering any items that don't permanently belong. For those items remaining in the car, make sure they are in their appropriate locations. A good time to do this would be when you stop for gas and your tank is still filling up, especially since most gas stations have garbage cans next to each gas pump.

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How to Prepare Your Car for Storage

People have many reasons for putting a car into long-term storage: preventing winter damage, long-term vacations, overseas jobs, military deployment, emotional attachment, et cetera. No matter what the reason, you want the car to when you are ready to use it, and you want it in good shape. Here are some tips as to how to achieve that.

Location and coverage
In order to discourage rust, corrosion, and sun damage, you want to choose an indoors location that is dark and dry, with a stable temperature; the ideal place is in a garage or indoor public storage facility. If you do have to store it outside, be sure to find a durable, weatherproof car cover to maintain the paint and limit exposure to the elements; choose wisely, since a defective cover can trap moisture and grit. Be sure to cover any large gaps where critters (particularly rats) can enter, such as the exhaust pipe or air intake.

Cleaning
Wash and wax the exterior of the car to clean and protect the paint; any leftover dirt or contaminants (such as water stains, bird droppings, mud, grease, or tar) will corrode and rust. Clean and vacuum the interior as well, since, again, dirt and debris can cause damage through mold and mildew if left alone for an extended period of time.

Maintain Tires
Make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended pressure to prevent flat spots. You can use plastic sheeting to prevent moisture from degrading the tires. You may consider taking off the wheels entirely and placing the car on jack stands at all four corners.

Top Off Fluids
You should have fresh fluids for your fuel systems. Oil and filter, anti-freeze, gas, power-steering fluid, tranny fluid, and brake fluids should all be chnaged right before storage. Old fluids, particularly oil and antifreeze, can become acidic acidic and eat away at the insides of your car, potentially causing mild corrosion. Full fluid reservoirs allow no room for condensation to occur. You should purchase a fuel stabilizer as well to prevent ethanol buildup and protect the engine from gum, varnish, and rust.

Keep the Battery Charged
Most newer vehicles are equipped with advanced computer systems that require constant power, and an unattended battery will eventually lose its charge. The low-tech solution is to disconnect the negative battery cable, which might cause you to lose your settinngs such as stereo presets and time. Otherwise, you can purchase a battery tender (a.k.a. trickle charger) that hooks up your car battery to a wall outlet, delivering just enough electrical power to prevent discharging.

Disengage the Brake
Do not use your parking brake when keeping your car in storage, since the brake pads might fuse with the rotors if in contact too long. Instead, you can use a chock (a.k.a. tire stopper) to keep your vehicle in place. Leave the gear in neutral for manual transmissions.

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Garage Storage and Organization

A garage is often the optimal place to store not only your car, but also off-season belongings, car maintenance supplies, bicycles, and much more. However, if you're having difficulty storing your single most important item  – namely, your car – then it is time for some serious garage reorganization.

Step 1: Clean

• Everything starts with a clean and hygienic working area. Take everything out of garage and give it a thorough cleaning, especially by wiping off dust, cleaning up oil spills, changing burnt-out lightbulbs, and potentially repainting the garage walls. 

Step 2: Assess

• Go through your belongings. Decide what to keep, and what to discard or donate to charity. A good method is to discard the items you haven't used in two years and, of course, those that are broken or trash (such as empty paint cans or cleaning supply bottles).

Step 3: Group

• Group items together by their purpose. Have separate sections for home improvement tools, sports equipment, seasonal items, gardening tools, et cetera. 

Step 4: Store

• Always place items where they are easy to see and reach. Put the the items you use most frequently below eye level, and seasonal items (such as Christmas lights) higher up.
• Smaller miscellaneous items can be placed in see-through storage containers or baskets that can be labeled and stacked, while larger items (such as sports equipment or gardening/handling tools) can be placed on durable hooks on pegboards or slatted wall panels. Other items (such as boots, watering cans, and soil) can be placed on adjustable shelves to accommodate different-sized items by remounting.

Step 5: Maintain

• Make a commitment and be conscientious in returning items to their designated spaces after use. Those extra few seconds could be the difference between a clean, tidy garage space and one that is, once again, dirty, cluttered, and chaotic. Having an organized garage will not only make you feel better, both physically and mentally, but it will also make your life a lot easier!

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