Here are some practical tips and hacks for keeping your car clean with kids.
Good news! Your family can keep the car clean – even when life feels messy. It comes down to three basic principles:
Get the right gear
Make cleaning fun
Go with the flow
So read on for some easy tricks that will keep your car clean and tidy without too much effort.
In this article, we’ll break down the easiest ways to childproof your car, SUV or crossover even as you juggle car snacks, blowouts, and sticky fingers.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about:
The secret cleanup gear moms and dads swear by
Games and activities to get everyone involved in cleaning
Proactive ways to keep spills out of the car in the first place
How to keep your mind fresh – even when the car’s a disaster
You likely already know the basics: keep some wet wipes on hand for sticky fingers, dish soap and a spray bottle of water for spills, and shop towels for wiping up mess. But here’s a mystery no one can answer: where all the cereal keeps coming from.
Kids in cars have a way of getting Cheerios in between every seat cushion. Even on days you didn’t give them a single Cheerio! What is the source of all these Cheerios, and why do they keep testing us?
We can’t explain the powerful magic between kids and the cereal gods, any more than we can explain why some kids absolutely love shows about wheels. But we can recommend a handheld, battery powered vacuum to zap away messes fast (the consumer reviews site Wirecutter has reviewed several of their favorites). If you eliminate them one by one, those sneaky Os will never have the chance to organize their powerful forces against you.
You’re going to want a few different bags in your vehicle:
Vomit bags
Poop bags
Trash bags
True, a jack-of-all trades grocery bag will probably do in a pinch. But if you’re looking for an upgrade, there are all kinds of snazzy options there to keep “Yikes, I think this is leaking” moments at bay.
It’s not easy on the guts being in the back seat of a vehicle, and it only gets worse if you’re reading, playing with a personal device, or in a rear-facing seat. So it’s no surprise many kids get tummy turmoil on the ride. Ditch the grocery store plastic bags for something that can stand the test of tot-vomit. Search for “emesis bags” (Latin for “this bag holds puke”) from major online retailers. Bonus: if mama’s got another bun cooking in the oven, she can also use these bags for pregnancy nausea.
Your little one has a blowout diaper situation? Hooray, they’re not constipated! If you’re someone who likes to change your baby’s bottom in the trunk of your car, you can keep things tidy with some colorful doggie bags to contain their dirty diaper and wipes on the way to the nearest trash can. Another great poop-related bag to look into is a reusable ‘wet bag.’ You can use this leakproof vessel to keep your favorite baby outfit from stinking up the car until you get home to launder it.
You definitely want a bag in the car for trash to compile all the fast-food containers and other detritus that you collect in a day. A simple garbage bag can work – but why not consider a car trash can? “Carbage cans” are soft, reusable containers that often include a tight top to prevent coffee cups from leaking, and side pockets for keeping things organized.
Make it a game: everyone takes something out of the car with them every time they come home.
Maybe whoever brings up the biggest or weirdest thing in the car wins that round? Not only will you be utilizing every tiny hand in keeping the car clean, you’ll also be teaching good habits that last a lifetime – and instilling a love of cleanliness in your kiddo. And you’ll be surprised how much impact one piece at a time can have on your car. After all, just like the Buddha says, “Drop by drop is the water pot filled.”
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You’ve already got the kids tidying the car one item at a time? Great! Now celebrate with a trip to the car wash.
The self-serve car wash bay can be a great summertime spot to throw some suds around and show your little ones the car care basics. And they’re the perfect size to help: short people don’t have to bend down as far to wipe the wheels and bottom plates. If your little one is still too small to help wash a car, you can also take them to the automatic car wash, and let them be mesmerized by the colorful light show.
It’s not realistic to tell you not to feed or change your kiddo in the car. But if you have the option, why not lean into making mealtime an event with sitting down for? Swap the drive thru for sitting in a booth, and take the time to make some memories you wouldn’t have if everyone was strapped into their seats. This way, all french fries that fall out of little hands go on someone else’s floor, instead of your car’s.
These are all ideas for how to prevent messes, so they don’t bother you. But there’s a shortcut: just don’t let the mess bother you in the first place. Making sure everyone gets home safely is way more important than another french fry on the floor. The great French writer Michel de Montaigne allegedly wrote, "I do not care so much what I am to others as I care what I am to myself." Who cares what Nancy at soccer practice thinks about the state of your car? When you are on your deathbed, you’ll be thinking about the memories you made with your loved ones, not the cleanliness of your vehicle. (Hopefully. —ed.)
A family ride is just more fun when your car doesn’t smell like farts or sour milk. It’s also more fun when you’re not overpaying for your vehicle.
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