January's Organization Challenge: The Car

Happy Sunday Funday!

Unfortunately I cannot say that it has been such a "funday" for me. This week was the first week back to my online university, and I have been struggling with a sinus headache the past two days. Yuck. Side note, I will say that I thought it was going to be much easier transitioning over to an online university and taking electronic courses. So not the case. I feel like I have to study twice as long and the work is twice as involved. Dang it.

All that being said, I am over-the-moon ecstatic that I have finished my first 4 spaces in 4 weeks organization challenge! Remy the Hemi is all shiny and new!

Now before we dive deep into this post, let me start by making a few excuses for why my car looks the way that it does. Between the last few months of big moves and rainy weather, it has seen quite the lack of love in my life. This project was a long time coming... and I feel so refreshed now that it's completed.

Remy is a 2011 Dodge Charger that I have loved since I got her used in December of 2013. Since then I have put more miles on her than I care to admit, but her and I have an unspeakable bond - mostly because she's a car and cannot speak ;)

First thing I did when I began giving her a little love was I went and got myself a Black and Decker Dustbuster from Bed Bath and Beyond ( Original price: $39, and I used a 20% off coupon and a $30 giftcard I had... score for paying next to nothing!) From there I went to work tackling the crumbs and who knows what else that was in every nook and cranny of my poor girl.

Now I won't say that this little vacuum is as amazing as using a ShopVac or similar. But for a quick fix to get "the big stuff" it works perfectly. I love that it is rechargeable and I can use it around the home for quick clean ups when I'm not using it to give the car a little more love.

I even used this on the cracks in my seat, which seemed to be harboring sand and dirt.

Next it was time to take care of the extremely dirty leather that surrounded the inside of my car. For those of you with a good eye and think that everything looks like little paw prints... you're right. Jackson's little piglettes have helped in doing quite the number to the leather surfaces.

I busted out my amazing ArmorAll Cleaning Wipes and went to town on everything. The doors, the dashboard, everything that my hands touch... including my starter switch. Ladies.. if you wear makeup, look at yours. It's probably gross. Along with your shifter. it's inevitable.

Yuck!

Yay!

Even the roof of my car was gross... how that happens, I have no idea. Not to fear! I just wiped that down also and it took care of it!

And the back of the seats...

Moving on to the trunk, I popped her open and looked at all of the things I still hadn't taken out. Throw pillows, a cupcake carrier, tennis shoes, my motorcycle helmet... pretty much all kinds of odds and ends.

I started with cleaning everything out. I added my new trunk organizer from The Container Store! (I have a new found love for this place! I signed up for emails and got 15% off and they do free shipping!) I love that this organizer comes equipped with Velcro tabs on the bottom which attaches to your trunk to keep the entire piece from rolling around while you're driving. Who wants to worry about everything flying around in their trunk?! Not me!

Great Things To Keep In Here:

ArmorAll Wipes

Trunk Luggage Net

Nutrition Bars (You never know when you'll need them!)

Jumper Cables

Small Tool Set

Flashlight

Towel (Especially if you have a dog)

I went back into my car and started opening up the small storage compartments. Like the rest of her, I wasn't too thrilled with what I found.

I took EVERYTHING out and realized I really didn't anything that has made a home in there. The change went inside to my change jar. The checks went inside where they belong. My old useless keys got thrown out. And the receipts were either filed or thrown out depending on if they were needed. The only things put back were my knife and a pen... I always seem to need one and not have one.

Since I don't use them that often, the auxiliary and charging cables were added to a clutch and put in my glove compartment. This area also holds my insurance cards, registration, warranties folder, and duster.

Last but not least, the glass! I took my Method cleaner and microfiber towel and went to town! I cleaned the speedometer window, the rearview mirror, the touchscreen, and the windows that were covered with little nose marks from Jackson (which I didn't take any pictures of to respect the privacy of both my neighbors and myself)

 That was it! I feel so complete and fulfilled with this little project, and like I am starting off the new year right!

 For a final touch, I added my new phone car mount that I received from the company to do a review on. So far it's perfect! It works as a two part magnet. I put the magnet in between my phone case pieces, and it works just like I had hoped! no more holding my phone while it loads directions... Hallelujah!

All done! I am going to sleep with a smile on my face knowing we are one week and one space down into our January challenge. Now I am going to go enjoy my one minute mug cake that I just made... Yummy! Time to start the planning process to next weeks project... the linen closet! Happy Organizing, friends!