The family car is an important part of family life, ensuring that you can get everywhere from school to work to the dentist with ease but with all of your spending so much time in there, it can get a little funky to say the least. As a mom, trust us, we know!
Right now, it might seem like it would be easier to buy a shiny new car from edmunds than to clean out the car, especially if the kids have been making a mess, but the car cleaning hacks below will help you to get it sparkling so it can survive another day with y’all.
The Magic of Silicone Baking Cups
Let’s start small but impactful – your cup holders. These little nooks are the black holes of crumbs, sticky coins, and unidentified gunk. The solution? Silicone baking cups. Pop these bad boys in your cup holders, and the next time you find them filled with the remnants of last week’s drive-thru feast, simply lift and wash. It’s like giving your car a pair of waterproof socks, but for cup holders.
Baby Wipes: Not Just for Babies
Who knew that a product designed for delicate baby bottoms would be the MVP of car cleaning? Baby wipes are your go-to for quick touch-ups on everything from dashboard dust to mystery smudges on the windows. They’re gentle, effective, and leave a surprisingly fresh scent that says, “Sure, kids live here, but so does cleanliness.”
Toothpaste: The Headlight Facelift
Headlights looking a bit foggy? Feeling like they’ve seen better days? Grab some toothpaste (yes, the stuff you brush your teeth with) and work it over your headlights with a soft cloth. Rinse off and behold the transformation. It’s like giving your car a pair of glasses, suddenly it sees the road with youthful clarity. Just avoid gel toothpaste; it’s the equivalent of trying to clean with hair gel.
The Power of the Lint Roller
Pet hair in the family car can make it seem like you’re transporting a mobile fur coat. Enter the lint roller – a simple tool that can tackle this hairy situation with ease. Roll it over your seats and floors to pick up pet hair, crumbs, and even glitter (because somehow, there’s always glitter). It’s like a mini-sticky tornado that leaves cleanliness in its wake.
Pool Noodles: The Ultimate Protector
Got kids who fling open car doors with the force of a small hurricane? Protect your garage walls and the car’s dignity with pool noodles. Cut them in half lengthwise and attach them to the walls of your garage where the doors usually hit. It’s like bubble-wrapping the world, but more practical and less weird.
DIY Air Freshener
Finally, keep your car smelling like a meadow and not a foot by creating your own air freshener. Take a small jar, poke holes in the lid, and fill it with baking soda mixed with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Place it under a seat and let it work its magic. It’s like having a tiny, scent-wielding fairy in your car, minus the fairy dust.
Here’s to the small victory that is a clean family car!
