A cluttered car is stressful: things roll around, you can't find what you need, and the mess seems to come back no matter how often you clean it out. The good news is that most car clutter comes from a handful of problem spots. Fix those, and the car stays tidy with very little effort. Here are nine simple fixes.
1. Start with a clear-out
Take everything out that doesn't need to live in the car: old receipts, empty bottles, bags, and things that belong in the house. Give it a quick wipe down. Everything that goes back in should have a specific place, which is what the rest of this list is about.
2. Give trash a place to go
Most car clutter is simply trash with nowhere to go. A hanging car trash can straps to a headrest, seat back or console. Ours has a waterproof lining and a soft lid, so wrappers and tissues go straight in and stay there until you empty it.
3. Organize the back seat
If you carry passengers, especially kids, the back seat is where clutter builds up fastest. A seat back organizer hangs on the back of a front seat and gives passengers pockets for tablets, drinks and snacks. Ours includes a tray and a tissue box that doubles as a small trash bin. Driving with children? See how to keep kids' stuff organized in the car.
4. Close the seat gaps
The gap between the front seats and the center console swallows phones, keys and coins. A seat gap filler organizer blocks it and adds a little extra storage. We've written a whole guide on how to stop losing things between your car seats.
5. Use your sun visor
The sun visor is the most underused storage spot in most cars. A sun visor organizer keeps sunglasses, cards and parking receipts within reach without taking up any space below. If your purse is the thing that keeps sliding around, see where to put your purse in the car.
6. Get your phone off the seat
A loose phone ends up on the floor, in the gap or under a bag. A phone mount fixes that and keeps your phone at eye level for navigation. Pick a dashboard clip mount or a suction cup windshield and dashboard mount.
7. Make room for drinks
If your car has too few cup holders, or they're too small for your water bottle, drinks end up wedged between the seats. A 2-in-1 cup holder expander sits in an existing cup holder and gives you room for two.
8. Keep a sun shade within reach
Sun shades often end up loose on the back seat. An umbrella-style windshield sun shade folds down small enough to keep in a door pocket or the glove box.
9. Do a five-minute reset each week
Once everything has a place, keeping the car tidy takes only a few minutes. Pick a regular moment, like your weekly fuel stop, to empty the trash can, put things back in their spots and take out anything that doesn't belong. For floor mats, pet hair and washing the outside, see how to keep your car clean.
Start with the essentials
Our Car Organization Kit covers three of the biggest fixes in one box: a seat back organizer, a seat gap filler and a hanging trash can, for less than buying them separately. Or browse all our car organizers. For the back of the car, see how to organize your car trunk.