The trunk is like the junk drawer of cars—if you can’t see it, the clutter doesn’t exist. Everyday life, kids, and activities quickly clutter up a car, but it doesn’t have to be that way. A few simple car organization tricks and making sure you have a place for everything will help keep your car’s trunk clutter-free and efficient.
Learn a few simple tips to help you get and keep your car trunk spotless.
Divide and Conquer
Before you can organize your trunk, you need to declutter it. Take everything out of your trunk and divide it into categories: trunk essentials, items that don’t belong in your trunk but in your home or garage instead, and items to throw away or donate. Once you’ve got your piles, consider the items you want or need in your trunk. Some items that are good to have in your trunk include:
- an emergency kit
- water and nonperishable food
- portable air compressor
- jumper cables
- a basic toolkit
- trash bag or small trash can
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Use Organizers
Organizers are a great way to keep like items together and at hand. You can use different types of organizers to fit your needs, from collapsible, washable fabric organizers, to storage bins with lids.
We suggest containers with easily-accessible pockets so you can keep seasonal items like sunscreen and bug spray at hand while you’re on the go.
Maximize Vertical Space
Whether you have a big trunk or small, utilizing the vertical space in your trunk will leave room for more essentials and will make it easier to organize. You can use velcro strips or simple hooks to add small, loose items to your trunk, like an umbrella or flashlight. This will also prevent loose items from moving around while you’re driving.
Have an Emergency Kit
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It’s never a bad idea to be prepared. Keep an emergency kit in the truck of your car in case of unforeseen circumstances. Items in your emergency kit can include:
- first aid supplies
- fire extinguisher
- patch kit
- blanket
- road flares
- glass breaking tool
- portable phone charger (kept charged)
- flashlight
- a multitool
- water bottles
You can buy an emergency kit online, or you can put your own together. If you assemble your own kit, make sure to put it in a waterproof container with a lid.
Use Clear Bins
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You have many trunk organizers to choose from, but clear bins are great if you want to keep items secure. Clear bins make it easier to locate items without having to open lids and sift through items. Plus, they look uniform and neat when stacked or lined up in your trunk.
Rotate Seasonal Items
Just as you do with your closet, rotate out seasonal items in your trunk. During summer months, keep picnic blankets, towels, flip flops, and sunglasses in the trunk. During winter, keep warm blankets, an extra set of clothes, and nonperishable snacks in case of emergencies.
Keep It Light
Not only does keeping minimal items in your trunk help it look clutter free, but it’s also fuel efficient. An overpacked trunk means a heavier car, which can affect fuel efficiency and vehicle performance. Only keep essentials in your trunk.
Schedule a Deep Clean
Now that you’ve organized your trunk, it’s time to keep it that way. To help keep things organized, set aside time to deep clean your trunk. This means removing all items and vacuuming and removing any stains before you put items back. This is also a great time to take inventory of items in your car and remove or add items, and make sure emergency kit items are working properly.
FAQ
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To keep your trunk organized, only keep the essentials in your trunk like an emergency kit and any everyday items you need. Set a schedule to deep clean and reassess the items in your car, whether that be once a month or every week.
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It’s important to have items in your trunk that you might need in case of emergency. Add an emergency kit, nonperishable food, an air compressor, jumper cables, and a patch kit to your regularly kept items.
