http://www.bin-store.com/blog

We talk a lot here about organizing your home, but what about your home on wheels? Our automobiles can easily become neglected when it comes to clutter. Glance in the back seat. Do you have heaps of auto paperwork, sweatshirts and coats, umbrellas, children’s toys, and other items cluttering your car? What about your trunk? Can you find what you need back there? Have you turned your car trunk into a storage area for stuff that would be better stored in plastic storage bins in your garage or attic?

It is well worth it to get your vehicle organized. Having clutter in your car is distracting and may draw your attention away from the road. Not only that, but when you have loose items floating around on the floor or the seats, they can turn into dangerous projectiles when you have to make a hard turn or speed up or slow down abruptly. You do not want something to hit you or occlude your view when you are trying to drive; it can cause an accident. It is also worth getting organized so you can find what you need if you do need to pull over. If you have a flat, will you have to dig through your trunk for twenty minutes just to find tools?

If You Don’t Need It, Take It Out

Start by getting rid of all the stuff you really do not need in your car. In fact, pull everything out, vacuum your car out (that will be a relief!), and then put back in only what you need. Try and keep items safely contained in the glove box or the trunk, and not floating around on the seats. Here is what you should have:

• A first aid kit in a small plastic bin.
• Proof of insurance and registration in your glove box.
• Vehicle manual.
• Tire gauge.
• One extra coat for each passenger.
• An umbrella.
• One or two blankets.
• Spare tire and jack.
• Jumper kit.
• Cell phone charger.
• GPS.
• Flares.
• A simple set of useful auto tools. You can keep these in a plastic storage bin.

The majority of these items should easily fit inside your trunk if you take the time to do it carefully. Fold up all blankets and clothing. You can have a bin for your general tools, and get a second clear plastic containers for tools specifically for the tires and for jumping your car. You may also want a small plastic container with non-perishable food items for emergencies.

Once your vehicle is organized, it will be much more pleasant to drive in, and most importantly, it will be safer. You will be less likely to get into an accident if you do not have debris on your seats and floor, and you will also be ready to deal with an emergency if one should arise. Your passengers will likely thank you too when they have more room to sit and get comfortable!