Clutter doesn’t just build up in our homes and offices – it can collect in our cars too! Whether you’re swimming in piles of receipts or your toting water bottles and clothing everywhere you go, our cars can sometimes look like we live in them. Here are some tips to keep your auto looking and smelling brand new!

1. Make a rule not to eat in your car. If you’re someone who likes fast food or eating your breakfast on the way to work, start quitting this habit now! If you eat in your car you’re more likely to accumulate trash (think napkins, cups, straws).

2. Keep plastic bags in the console for trash. If you find yourself always piling receipts in your door or putting empty coffee cups in all of the cup holders, this tip is for you! Pull out a plastic bag and throw any trash you’ve accumulated into it each time you’ve finished your day. Bring the bag of trash into the house with you to get rid of instead of letting it pile up in the car.

3. Wash and vacuum on a regular basis. We tend to only want to wash our cars when the weather is nice, but it’s very important to keep them clean all year round. Salt can damage the outside of our cars and tracking snow and dirt in on our shoes will make the floors a mess. Treat your car to a bath at least once a month.

4. Stock up on air fresheners. Keep them in the glove box and replace them each time they get old. If your car smells nice you might be inspired to keep the rest of it clean too!

5. Don’t neglect the trunk. Sometimes our cars look clean, but that’s only because our trunks are full of all of our clutter. Don’t let the trash and junk pile up in a place you can’t see it. Instead, keep things you keep in your trunk (i.e. flashlights, cables, sports equipment) organized by putting them in plastic bins or boxes for storage.