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Born Again Minimalist

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Decluttering the car

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by

Caitlin

in

It is so easy to make a mess in the car.  You’re driving and eating, driving and talking, driving and dealing with a dog in the car, driving and listening to music… very rarely do we just get into the car and drive somewhere in silence without touching any other object.  Thus, our car gets dirty.  CD cases, pens, change, grain pellets from a drive-through wildlife safari, name tags from old jobs, magnets, newspaper, fast food bags, beverage bottles… these are all things I recently removed from my car.

Get ready for some terrifying before photos.

I solemnly swear to stop using my floorboards as a portable trash can.
The back, where stuff goes to die.

I started by going through everything in my car and sorting it into several categories:

  • Garbage
  • Recyclable
  • Relocate
  • Belongs in the car

Garbage was thrown away, recyclables were put into recycling, and the “relocate” pile was taken inside for its fate to be decided.  But I knew it didn’t belong in the car.  My car is not a docking station for excess stuff.  Things that belonged in the car were organized.  Cords were kept in individual baggies so they didn’t get tangled when I needed them. CDs are in my visor CD-holder (still too many CDs, but at least they are not all over my car).

Now for the good stuff, the after photos:

The front seat, with floorboard garbage magically removed and a bag for trash so I don’t make a giant mess anymore.
Glove compartment! Featuring: Car manuals, GPS and cord (in a bag together), change (in a pill bottle) for parking meters, ziploc baggie with insurance card, AAA card, other cards I won’t need unless I drive somewhere), flashlight, detergent pen in case of spills, and tire pressure gauge. Also napkins (not pictured).

If you think there is still a lot of stuff in my car, wait til you see what I took OUT of my car:

Ridiculous.  Good riddance!

Is your car a clutter magnet?

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10 responses to “Decluttering the car”

  1. Nicola B Avatar
    Nicola B

    This is one area that’s never been cluttered for me- perhaps because my parents never left stuff in the car that was not specific car stuff, and never let us do so either, so I have always been in the habit of removing things as I leave. I do have to try and persuade my boyfriend not to leave junk in his car though, as it drives me mad to sit in piles of receipts!

    Reply
    1. Caitlin Avatar
      Caitlin

      Mine always has stuff to move off my seat too! I didn’t grow up with super strict car rules, I guess… I just get lazy 😦

      Reply
      1. Nicola B Avatar
        Nicola B

        If you get in the habit of taking it all out as you leave, it’s super easy! (as with all tidiness habits I suppose!)
        I need to get better at vacuuming and washing mine, it accumulates a lot of mud inside and out!

      2. Caitlin Avatar
        Caitlin

        I seriously need to vacuum, I feel you on that.

  2. living lagom Avatar
    living lagom

    I don’t have to worry about car clutter because I don’t own a car. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Caitlin Avatar
      Caitlin

      Nice. In theory I could do it, but not without some major restructuring – it’s a 40 minute drive to work!

      Reply
  3. Gillian Avatar
    Gillian

    haha Looks great ! My car could DEFINITELY use a good clean out.

    Reply
    1. Caitlin Avatar
      Caitlin

      Do it before the weather gets any crazier!!

      Reply
  4. bornagaingreen Avatar
    bornagaingreen

    Alright, you’ve motivated me! I tend to hoard stuff in my Mazda when other people want to throw a recyclable away and I “graciously” offer to take it to a recycling bin for them. Uh huh. Four months later… the car smells like cardboard and beer bottles. Like a homeless person. This is changing today. Thank you for the post.

    Reply
    1. Caitlin Avatar
      Caitlin

      You are very welcome! Good luck!

      Reply

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