Decluttering and Organizing Your Car: Tips for Busy Moms on the Go
Habits of highly organized people include being prepared for whatever life throws at you. Having an organized car just helps with that—especially for busy moms with busy kids!
If you’re a busy mom, chances are your car feels like a second home. Between school drop-offs, grocery runs, sports practice, and last-minute errands, your car probably collects snack wrappers, stray shoes, forgotten toys, and enough receipts to paper a small room.
And let’s be real—when life is chaotic, the last thing you need is digging through a mess just to find your kid’s missing water bottle or realizing the diaper bag didn’t make it into the car.
But here’s the good news: a clutter-free, organized car can actually make your daily routine easier, less stressful, and more efficient.
Let’s break down exactly how to declutter, organize, and maintain a car that works for you, not against you!
Step 1: Clear Out the Chaos
Before you can organize, you have to declutter. Grab a trash bag and a donation bin, and let’s get started:
✅ Take EVERYTHING out of the car. Yes, everything! Empty the seats, cupholders, glove compartment, center console, and trunk.
✅ Sort into four categories:
Trash → Old receipts, wrappers, empty water bottles
Relocate → Items that belong in the house (toys, socks, mail, etc.)
Donate → Extra jackets, unused umbrellas, or random items that have no purpose
Keep → Essentials that belong in the car (we’ll organize these next!)
✅ Wipe down surfaces. While the car is empty, do a quick vacuum and wipe down sticky cupholders and dusty dashboards.
➡️ Pro Tip: If you’re short on time, start with just one section per day—center console today, trunk tomorrow, etc.
Step 2: Only Keep the Essentials
Now that you’ve cleared the clutter, it’s time to be intentional about what stays.
Here’s a quick checklist of what actually belongs in your car:
🔹 Essentials for YOU:
Car registration & insurance
Sunglasses
Chapstick & hand sanitizer
Small first-aid kit
Reusable shopping bags
🔹 Essentials for KIDS:
Extra diapers/wipes (if needed) or extra set of shoes or cloths for ‘just in case’
A small stash of non-messy snacks (granola bars, pretzels, fruit snacks)
A car toy pouch with just a few boredom busters
🔹 Emergency Kit:
Jumper cables
Flashlight
Blanket
Portable phone charger
➡️ Pro Tip: If your car is constantly overrun with toys, snacks, and kid clutter, limit it to one small bin per child. Once it’s full, they have to rotate items out!
Step 3: Use Smart Storage Solutions
Now for the fun part—putting everything in its place with simple, mom-friendly organizing solutions!
Here are three must-have products to keep your car neat and functional:
1. Backseat Car Organizer- See it here
✅ Perfect for: Keeping kids’ essentials (snacks, books, tablets, and wipes) organized and within reach.
✅ Where to Buy: Amazon. There are several listings for different backseat organizers. Carhartt- known for their rugged durability, even has one available in multiple colors.
✅ Why You’ll Love It: No more loose toys rolling around or meltdowns because someone can’t find their favorite marker.
2. Collapsible Trunk Organizer- See it here
✅ Perfect for: Containing groceries, sports gear, and emergency essentials in one place.
✅ Where to Buy: Amazon– they have so many options available, again Carhartt even has an option. But this one I linked is amazing because it goes from 1-3 compartments and even has a removeable insulated cooler bag perfect for when you are in charge of snacks at the next baseball game.
✅ Why You’ll Love It: Keeps the trunk from turning into a black hole of random items. Plus, most options fold flat when not in use.
3. Car Trash Can with Leakproof Liner- See it here
✅ Perfect for: Containing snack wrappers, napkins, and all those “Mom, can you hold this?” moments.
✅ Where to Buy: Amazon– again so many options to choose from in various sizes and storage places
✅ Why You’ll Love It: No more stuffing trash into cupholders or door pockets—just toss and go!
4. IRIS Clear Photo & Craft Cases (with Hinged Lids)- See it here
✅ Perfect for: Organizing the center console and glove compartment—keeping small essentials from becoming a jumbled mess.
✅ Where to Buy: The Container Store
✅ Why You’ll Love It: These compact, latching cases are the perfect way to contain all those little items that tend to get lost in the center console or glovebox. Instead of digging around for loose change, gum, or a band-aid, you’ll have everything neatly sorted and easy to grab.
Ways to Use These in Your Car:
✔ First-aid mini kit → Band-aids, travel-sized ointments, pain relievers, motion sickness tablets
✔ Glovebox document organizer → Insurance, registration, emergency contacts, roadside assistance info
✔ Mom survival kit → Gum, hair ties, chapstick, hand wipes, stain remover pen
✔ Kid entertainment kit → Small coloring supplies, stickers, fidget toys, mini puzzles
✔ Loose change → No more coins rolling under the seat!
➡️ Pro Tip: These cases stack neatly, so you can create a fully customized car essentials kit while keeping everything compact and easy to access.
Step 4: Maintain The Clutter-Free Vibes
Now that your car is beautifully organized, let’s keep it that way!
✔ Adopt the “Take It Inside” Rule → Every time you get home, take one thing inside that doesn’t belong in the car.
✔ Quick Weekly Reset → Spend 5 minutes every weekend tossing trash, wiping cupholders, and restocking essentials.
✔ Limit What Comes In → If it’s not essential, it doesn’t stay in the car!
Final Thoughts: A Clutter-Free Car = A Smoother Day
Moms are always on the go—but a messy, chaotic car doesn’t have to be part of the routine. With a little decluttering, smart storage, and simple maintenance habits, your car can feel like an organized, stress-free space (instead of a rolling disaster zone).
And if your car is this cluttered, chances are your home might need some love too! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the mess, we’re here to help. Let’s get your home (and your life) organized so you can enjoy more calm and less chaos. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.