6 ways to keep your vehicle clean when you have kids

This blog is sponsored, however all content is my own. 

6 ways to keep your vehicle clean when you have kids

We’re almost a month into school and my van needs some serious recovery from this summer. Filled with petrified fries, crumbs, shoes missing their mate, toys, and enough sand from our beach visits to fill a sandbox I’ve got my work cut out for me. 

It’s time to do some serious cleaning and organising. These are the simple steps I’ve done to help make our vehicle a cleaner, better-smelling one.

Start with a deep clean

Here in Edmonton, there are many detailing companies that will come to your home and detail your vehicle right in your driveway! Want to DIY it? Grab the vacuum, spray bottle and cloths, and don’t forget to clean the windows inside and out! 

Tip: Use toothbrushes, Q-tips, makeup brushes, and foam paint brushes to clean in small areas and the vehichle vents!

Carseats

If you’ve got them chances are you’ve got enough crumbs in there for Hansel and Gretel to make their way back home. Give it a good vacuum or if it needs it grab the instruction book and get the directions for how to wash it. 

Tip: Pay extra careful attention to the straps. Putting them in a washing machine could loosen the fibres and could stretch the straps making it non-effective if the unfortunate event of a car accident. 

Take the garbage out

That means me too, I am so guilty for this…Coffee cups are my biggest culprit. Every time you get out of your vehicle, do a quick scan for garbage. This small task will help so that your vehicle doesn’t look like the car version of hoarders. 

Designated garbage bag/bin

For the in-between times. There are many ideas to create your own DIY garbage can on Pinterest or you can purchase one! Now getting the kids to put the garbage into the actual garbage can is the next step… 

Tip: Keeping a few dollar store Ziploc bags in your vehicle. They work great when cleaning up smelly messes, soiled clothes, and containing dirty diapers.

Organization is key

Extra clothes, diapers, wipes, first aid kit, toys and whatever else you need for your kids or yourself they all need a place. A shoe organiser attached to the back of your seat works great for keeping things in place as well as a hard sided tote to keep everything in your trunk area organised. 

A good wipe down

Carter and Sophie sit all the way in the back of the van, which means that they each have a side with cup holder and a place for all things… Spills, crumbs and whatever makes it sticky. Have your kids wipe their area down once a week with a damp cloth or wipe. 

New car smell

The last time Kris got into the van he told me that our van smelt like a foot locker… Definitely not the smell I was aiming for that’s for sure… Check to make sure nasty smells aren’t coming from the carpets, if they are a good steam clean will help. (Hello Green Machine!). Don’t forget to check the roof because well we’ll just call it the chocolate milk incident of 2015! 😉 

Tips: Using baking soda with essential oils or coffee beans in a container with holes on the top will help to keep your vehicle smelling nice.

What are some of your tips for keeping your vehicle clean with kids? If you’ve got some other ideas leave me a comment!