Clutter-Free Car Needed!

J. R, I would agree with Jessica as well, I have a 8 girl and 6 boy, and they have been helping since they were 3 to 4 depending on what it was. I have a expedition with alot of room in the back with the seats that fold down, unless I have one of my nephews or nieces it is always down so they think they can throw it back there I can't see it. So I have started telling them, if I find it and have to carry it in it may go in the trash or you may be grounded from it. If it is homework, they get to do nothing but their homework and read books until it is bedtime. It did not take many nights of that for my daughter and she gets everything out. I tell them if you bring it to the car then you are big enough to get it out of the car and take it in, throw it in the trash, or whatever. I am a stay at home mom, my mother wasn't and this was her rule. I also, I have walmart bag in the car for trash and stuff and when I use it, I always remember to get another one and put it in the console. The other thing that I always keep is Huggies Wipies. They help with sticky finger and hands and even spills when they ACCIDENTLY happen. So good luck and I hope that it helps.

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Have the kids take out everything from the car everytime when you arrive back home. No exceptions. Then they develop a habit of keeping their car clear.

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Hi J..

Jessica had great advise with the little trash bags. You can pick up re-useable ones with velco attachments for about 4 or 5 dollars at Target or Wal-Mart.

When our kids were smaller we had a small tray wit a lid for each of them; each fit nicely under a seat. This is where they kept their stuff; when we went places they had their entertainment. When we reached our destination they could easily put their things away. With very little reminder for me or my husband after a few months.

We never sensored what they brought as long as it was distrubing to others and didn't make a mess ie: drinks, sticky candy. (And if it was "a not allowed item" we could count on their siblings to point it out!)

I won't tell you they didn't leave messes sometime because they are kids! But for the most part we were able to keep everything decent.

In closely I would like to offer a piece of advice, start giving them some responsibilities now with these little thinks and life won't be as complicated as they grow older.

Have a blessed day and Good Luck!

T.

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Okay I have 5 children ages, 14, 10, 4, 2, 1 and I really don't think there is a solution to keeping a suburban clean. My husband really gets upset when it is dirty, but you know what I have all the children all the time and we are always on the run, so I have to feed them and of course the babies are going to spill and throw food. The only thing that I have done differently is when I order food I ask for an extra bag for trash and my 14 and 10 are responsilbe for putting trash in the bags, so if your 10 yr old can help in that department that would be great and I always keep baby wipes in the suburban at all times, so if there is a spill I do or my older girls to a quick wipe. My suburban is a 2003 and the outside looks great but it is another story inside. I try to keep it washed and vaccumed, but floors are stained I eventually want to get it detailed really good,but I can not seem to part with a 150.00 to get it done. I do not plan on getting another vehicle until they are all grown and out of the house at least that is what my husband says. we will see! Good luck!

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I have boxes with interlocking lids rather then snap on lids. There's one for each bench and all toys and junk go back in that box. No one is allowed to bring something to the van without approval. I keep a bag in the front for trash and periodically gather the trash. I also keep one with towels (bath as well as microfiber) and that's come in handy lots of times. There are extra diapers and wipes in the van door pocket.

S., mom to four girls ages 5,4,3,1

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I gave each child a shoe box.(one of dads for the size) They can put anything in it they want. But it it dosent fit in shoe box can't be left in car. |This way I have 3 shoe boxes instead of a huge mess. and the shoe boxes slide under the seat if needed. ||I did have the kids decorate the boxes so no one would break into car for a box of shoes when they are not. Good luck.

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If the kids sit in the same seat everytime, there are organizer bags that hang on the seat in front of them that they can put their stuff in. What doesn't fit in the bags, doesn't go in the vehicle. Every time they get out, they have to clean it up. Also I have a couple of plastic bins in the back of my van that have diapers, wipes, change of clothes, blankets, pillow, etc. If it doesn't fit in the bins that stay in there or their organizers, they don't get to take it in there. If you can't find or don't like the organizers, try small zip up bags than fit under their seats. I prefer this b/c of they types of seats in my van. hth

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I bought an organizer that is collapsible and has three compartments. I think I got it from Home Solutions. Or use a laundry basket to throw things in to.

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Hi Jen,
You have received some great tips. As a Professional Organizer, everyone is right, it's all about habits. Another thing you can try is every time you fill up with gas you take that time to clear out any trash while you are waiting for the tank to fill up. This is a simple habit to get started with.

Good luck!
A. Ploetz

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I have the very same problem and my guys are 14 and 9.
Here are my ideas:
1. Only allow water in the car (I made this rule after a bottle of orange juice soaked into the carpet and fermented).
2. Organizers are great for the first week or so, but then they'll soon get cluttered and gross. - waste of money.
3. When the filth gets too disgusting, get a trash bag and dump everything into it. Tell the kids that whatever they don't get out of the bag and put away in their rooms, get's thrown in the trash(and you have to follow through on this).
4. Keep a small trash bag hanging up in the car so that they can have a place to put their trash, instead of dropping it on the floor or cramming it into the pockets of the door.
5. While driving around, give the kids a disposable cleaning cloth to wipe down the areas immediately around themselves, which they can then deposit into the trash bag.
6. If all else fails, just keep your eyes on the road and
don't look in the back. :)
~L.

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Funny - I have a '97 Suburban that I just did this with! I got the kids (we have foru, ages 4 to 14)to help by handing out trashbags and giving a prize to the one who filled it the most! (Target dollar section worked well!) I told them to not even worry about whether or not it was trash - I would deal with that end of it once it was in the house and not in the car! It worked great! I then was able to follow up with a hose vac. and then one of those steamers with the pinpoint nozzle to get out the stains in the carpet and even the dash and metal runners underneath the chairs! The car is now the cleanest it's been in years - (not to mention smells freah too) and the best part is that the kids are now trained to bring in ONE THING with them extra every time they get out of the car at home to throw away or put away. Hope that helps! And good luck! :)
Jen K.

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Look on abcdisturbuting.com they have lots of things on there site to help organize your car.Most of the things on here that people where talking about. I have the containers and use the slots on the back of my sets for toys and other items.I have snacks in a container in my car.I know it is hard with the space you have in your kids ages but I would also say get a few things that are the same so that will cut down on some fighting.

Talk with them that is their car to and the same rules that you have them do for clean up their mess in the house are to be in the car too.Also you can have a clean up jar in your car and if they all clean up you will put some change in there for each of them and then at a certain point you can all go get ice cream or do something fun together.

I know doing it before we all get out helps get it set in stone and they will start doing with out you telling them I would keep the jar though and just make it a friday treat after they get in a habit.

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Hi! I work fulltime with three boys ages 13, 9 and 2 and I truly understand your problem!! I tell them before we get out of the car that you take at least one item back into the house and put it where ever it goes. As far as trash from Sonic or whatever, I fill up a bag with everything and take it inside and throw it away immediately. My van isn't spotless, but eight hands are better than just my two!! My 2 yr. old loves to be a helper, and it teaches him to clean up as well.

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I have two backback in the car one for my son 9y/o and the other for my two girls 3 and 4. I don't allow them to eat/drink in the car so wrappers are not an issues. I also have a trash in the car and whenever they have trash they throw it away. Now I have lots of stuff too- laptop, gym clothes, bibles and books so I too have about 2 bags. It's hard but cleaning it out everyday or twice a day helps. gl

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Laundry baskets! The small round ones work best. Just before you get the kiddos out, tell them to put their stuff in the laundry basket. Then once a week you clean it out. I have a smaller car and only two boys. But I have a big shoe box (actually boot box) that they have to put their toys, books, papers, etc. in before they get out of the car. It works pretty well.

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I bought a small trash can and trashbags to put in the center of my van and it has worked like a charm. I empty the can when I go to the gas station and put in a new bag which I keep in my center console.

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J., even adults need to be reminded to clean up after themselves. Don't resent it; just expect it as part of the territory. There are plastic storage bags with pockets that you hang on the back of seats to keep stuff in place - toys, crayons, etc. that might be needed for a long car trip. Get one of those. Keep plastic bags around to gather up any trash, and pass them around so everybody (although the 2-year-old may need some help) can help pick up. Preferably don't let them eat or drink in the car - that cuts way down on the mess right there!

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We keep a trashcan in the garage right by the car. As soon as we get out of the car, the trash goes in the trashcan immmediately. We try not to eat in the car (very much) and only drink water (no lemonade, or other sticky drinks). Everytime we get out of the car, we pick up our things, put them away and throw out the trash. Once a week my husband vacuums out the car. We have three young children and our minivan looks cleaner than most. I hope this helps!

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give them each a crate in a different color to keep their things in - make sure they take trash out daily! The 10 and 6 year olds can help their sibling. Teach them now or you will really be in for a big mess!

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make a zone for each child with their own storage bag or other type of compartment for toys and stuff.

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Attach an old fashion door hanging shoe bag on the backs of driver's & passenger's seat. Kids can put their belongings in the pouches. Always, always be sure there is a trash bag in the front and the back of the car. I drove a Suburban for years and it is easy to let them get messy. I kept fold up plastic storage baskets in the rear, and used them for groceries, extra boots, blanket, jackets, anything that would just be thrown in the car.Always keep food in the car to a minimum, and keep a box of wet wipes in the console. I also kept a small cooler in the back, ready to go, just add ice and water or juice and a facecloth and you will always be ready for anythinig!

C. retired Mother of 2, Grandmother of 7, & soon to be Great- Grandmother!

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I would suggest this... try getting 3 bins to put in the rear of your suburban. Label each one with the boys' names on them. Every time one of them gets in the car with food or toys, remind them that whatever they bring into the car will have to go into their bin at some point. You could also make the bins with the labels of toys, trash, or recycle. but any more than 3 and it would get cluttered back there.

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If anyone needs help in being organized, I recommend www.Flylady.net. This is a free service with e-mail reminders, recommended tools and lots of good information. Flylady recommends www.SavingDinner.com for ease in planning family meals, www.HouseFairy.org for getting your kids involved in keeping their spaces clean and much, much more. I just wish this kind of service had been available when I was raising my kids. I highly recommend these websites for anyone, especially those raising a family.

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I keep an open wicker basket approx. 2'x3' and 8" deep on the floor board of the back seat (in front of the middle seat). All of my daughter's books, coloring books, crayons, movies and "car toys" are kept in the basket. My car still insn't perfect, but it stays much cleaner than it used to! Good luck!
J. B.

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Hard set rules....

No eating in the vehicle
No toys in the vehicle
No books, paper, pencils...anything in the vehicle

The less you bring in the vehicle, the less mess.

If they are bored, plug in a movie. We have a protable player in our vehicle for this purpase. Let them listen to MP3 etc....

We also have assigned seating so no one fights over where they sit.

Hope this helps.

Deborah

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Hi.J. my name is J. and have two childern of my own and then i get my 2yearold twin cousins every weekend and i have a dodge van so i know how you feel what i have done is put a little trash bin in there for the trash.and keep little plastic bags in there and everyday when they get out make them put there stuff in the bag and put it in the back of your car if that what they keep in there to play with if not make them get it out everyday if we go some where before they get out they have to get there stuff out of my van my kids are 11&12 but they still to leave there mess for me well its time they learn how to work.i have to do plenty already with keeping up with the house they think because mom stays home i should do everything.there younger then us.make them work mama good luck god bless you and your family

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I have the same problem. 1. They don't leave anything in the car because yeah, its a little effort on our part to make them take their stuff out but a little effort goes a long way. 2. I have 2 of those lidded totes. Not the big huge ones but the ones that are about 12x16 with a lid and a handle. I put both in my trunk. One holds the maps and papers and all the glove box stuff and the other is where I put receipts and papers that I accumulate. 3. make a point of cleaning out the car 1x a week.
IF you make time for the organization it falls into place!
Good luck!
Pen

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I know I've seen lots of items in catalogs for just that purpose. Things that strap on to the back of seats and hold toys and food, or travel cases for the things the kids want to take in the car, etc. Check online or in catalogs geared towards kids/moms. When you have time, you might try implementing a "no one gets out of the car until everything is picked up" routine.

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the way I keep my van clean with 4 boys 11, 9, 5 and 2 is to not let them eat in it at all! But inevitably there is clutter and garbage. I keep a kroger bag and they pass the trash to me and it gets disposed then everytime I get gas, we chuck the bag and anything that idnt make it into the bag and voila...clean car!

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J.,

Thanks for the inspiration!

I had a "garbage bag" that was supposed to hang on the back of a headrest, but kept getting knocked/pulled off, leaving the floorboards to catch the brunt of it. So I went out and bought a small trash bin. It's square, so it stands upright easier, small enough to fit neatly behind the passenger seat, and large enough to utilize a plastic grocery sack and hold most of the trash from my van. My 4-year old can drop in the used tissues, since it's right under her feet, I can dunk dirty diapers while standing at the hatchback (2 points - for #2!!), and it's big enough for all the fast food paraphernalia!

I also have a plastic "toy bin" that's about twice the width of the trash can, is easy to rinse out, and has turned into a catch-all (obviously, for the non-trash items - toys, jackets, stray shoes, etc.).
It's a start. ;-)

M.

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If you get any good ideas please forward to me I have a 68
year old boy and a 93 year old boy who live with me and the
car always looks like two 3 years old had a food and clutter
fight.

when my children were small we had bags on the backs of the
seats and they used them to put games, papers,books etc in
the other seat was for trash, used papers, etc. we did not
allow food in the car or cold drinks. only water this helped
a lot. not as easy to enforce when you are dealing with adults

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Make them walk! ;-)

(((hi Jen!)))

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I keep my 6 grandkids in the summer, when I do I also keep the family surban. I have a rule that when we stop somewhere anyone and everyone who gets out must take something with them, weather its trash or toys. This way the surban is always clean. The children are 13 to 2 years and everyone helps. Mamaw

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I also have a Suburban. I have bought a container that has 3/4spaces & holds alot of stuff. even bags from the stores, it helps to keep things in one place.I keep small cloth shopping bags in there so the grandkids can keep there things apart from the others, know how kids need to have there own things.I also keep small trashbags in there for the candy wrappers/trash that helps alot also. than just take them & throw the bag in the trash at home.Do they use the netted pockets on the back of the front seats? these sure help with keeping things together. I use 1 for our greatgrandaughters toys & blankies we keep handy for her.There so cute though aren't they?.I love the way the kids yell I get the 3td seat.so the 1 that calls it 1st. gets to set there & has that seat to herself.

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