Keeping My Car Clean with a 2 Year Old

I have a small garbage can and 2 plastic baskets in my van: one in the back with toys and books, the other between the front seats with necessities like Kleenex, wipes, first aid kit, snacks, water bottles, extra garbage bags (plastic shopping bags), etc. When they are used, it keeps things off the floor and easy to find.
If you allow a toddler to eat in the car, it's not going to stay clean. You'll just have to vacuum frequently.

My kids are not allowed to eat in the car, so I can't help you there.

As far as kids clutter, we keep a sterilite bin on the floor in front of my 1yr olds seat. We keep any toys, blankets and so on in there. We did this for my now 5yr old also and it keeps everything in one place. It is called a Large Nesting Showoffs and is 15 1/4" L x 9 3/4" W x 11 1/2". http://www.sterilite.com/Category.html?Section=Storage&am...# Oh and we don't use the cover, I leave it open...no messing with a lid.

Good Luck!!!

We attach a walmart/grocery bag to our gear shift and fill it up (all trash goes in it). when we get home or the next time we fill up it goes and a new one gets put on. It makes sure there is always a place for trash and it goes in it. At about 2-3 my son knew when he was done eating he had to put all of his trash in his bag and hand it forward. And we would just make a point to stop to toss it. Also look for lunch boxes/back pack on sale and use those to store stuff for your daughter. Kid friendly and fun.

I keep small bags (like Walmart, Target bags)in the van at all times. I also have a small garbage can in the garage that we will use when we get home. I will put it into the van and have them clean up all their garbage.

Also, I have a organizer that hangs on the back of the seat with crayons, small coloring books, kleenex, wipes and small snacks. When I want to take it down it just rolls up and I put it into the back.

Good Luck!

www.onestepahead.com has wonderful car organizer ideas! I am always looking for ways to keep my car clean as well! I keep a basket of toys between my kids car seats and try to remember to clean out the car after each ride so that clutter doesn't pile up. I am a known messy and I have to keep myself on task or mess gets out of hand!

I've been struggling with this for years. I have a 7year old and 4mo.old I finally said NO MORE TOYS or CRAP in my car. I make my 7 year old responsible for cleaning the backseat and removing all garbage etc. like once a week.

Have a rule when you get home every evening she has to help mommy take in anything that was brought into the backseat, garbage, toys etc.

L.,
If you can avoid eating in the car - do it. Sippy cups that truly don't spill are almost a necessity, but food and two year olds equal MESS. Keep a little trash bag in your car and use it. If you have the seat space available, I would keep a container (that your 2 year old can reach)next to the carseat where ALL TOYS go. They can reach in and take what they want, and you need to teach them to put it back. That way, in a pinch, you can take the whole box out and leave a relatively clean car behind! Before we got our van, we also had huge problems with dirty back-of-seats from little feet in carseats. You can buy seat back plastic covers to protect them and they wipe right off. Pretty sure that Toys R Us has them, if not www.onestepahead.com definately does. Good luck!

I also let me daughter (2 1/2 years old) eat in the car and we do have toys all over the place. What I have just started doing, as another mother suggested, is take a target, walmart whatever cloth bag and pile all the books, toys etc. in them. Every time we get out of the car I quickly throw all my daughters stuff in the bag and the car looks "tidy" and neat...

For us it has been more of the snow and salt that has gotten everywhere, we just got a car organizer for the back of the seat she sits behind so if it gets really dirty/gross I just take it out and throw it in the wash. We also have a seat protector under my daughters car seat which helps with spills...

If you really want to stop eating in the car that would keep it cleaner but I know that I tend to be very busy with work and taking my daughter places we eat in the car too. So if you must eat try to eat foods that are east to clean up with a hand vacuum. Stay away from sticky foods, we do eat grenoal bars which cause a big mess but for the most part easy to clean. All drinks in a sippy cup in the car to advoid any drink spills because that is really messy. I also stay away from milk or straight juice, they can make the car smelly or sticky if not cleaned up ASAP... we do water down juice or just water.

So that is what we have done... I hope that you find something that fits your life!

Some ideas:

*No more eating or drinking in the car. My sister allows that and her kids' carseats are disgustingly dirty.

*keep a small container for garbage in your car; garbage can only go in there, and empty it regularly

*take everything with you when you leave your car -- don't leave any unnecessary junk behind

*once you get the car emptied of junk, take it to a detailer to get really, really clean -- you'll be more likely to maintain it that way

*buy one of those car organizer things that goes behind the front seat, for easy access to books/toys for your kids (try Lillian Vernon or a baby safety catalog)

Walmart has great car organizers in their automotive department. I bought one a few years ago for my mini-van and four kids and it really helps with clutter.

we took out all the toys...left two books and two cars in the car and that is it...

it has helped a lot...

I recommend picking up some cute and functional auto trash bags handmade by The Mod Mobile. I haven't bought one yet, but I'm planning to very soon:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=21416