We spend many hours each week in our vehicles as we shuttle back and forth to work, run errands, take the kids to and fro. Often one of our largest investments is neglected and getting into a dirty, messy car is depressing. We feel much better organized and efficient when our car is clean and well equipped for errands and outings.

First we will clean and detail the vehicle, and then we will equip our traveling homes with  the things to enhance our productivity while traveling about. Gather the supplies you will need to clean and detail your car:

• Vacuum
• Cleaning cloth (s)
• Window Cleaner
• Upholstery Cleaner
• Leather Cleaner/Conditioner
• Tire Cleaner that provides the “wet” look
• Bucket
• Spray wax
• Hose and Water Source
• Cotton Swabs
• Car Wash Cleaner
• Scrub brush
• Chamois

Begin by washing the car with the car wash cleaner mixed with water. Clean all surfaces including windows, bumpers, grill and the top and underneath the car. Then take the scrub brush and really clean the tires. Spray underneath the wheel wells and rinse the tires well. Dry the car with the chamois to avoid streaks. Apply the spray wax over each section (such as the hood, right side, left side, top and rear)  of the vehicle and buff. Move to the next section. After the entire vehicle has been waxed, move to the trim and rubberized surfaces on the exterior.  Using the tire cleaner, spray a little on a cloth and wipe down any of the rubber items on the car such as the door seals, around the handles, window seals, trunk seals, trim, and around the windshield and any plastic or vinyl trim on the car. Now do the same with the tires. Wipe the tires last so you don’t dirty your cloth before finishing the outside. Next, clean the exterior of the windows with the window cleaner and a clean cloth. You should already notice a difference in how you car looks. But we aren’t finished yet!

The interior of the car needs some attention. Begin by vacuuming out the entire car: floorboards, seats, underneath the seats, all side areas, in the seat belt buckle slot, between the seats and the trunk. Once vacuumed, use the upholstery cleaner (the spray type) and clean all the upholstered surfaces. If you have a hand held upholstery cleaning machine, you can use this too. Make certain to remove as much water as possible from the surfaces. Next, take the upholstery cleaning solution and apply to a clean cloth and wipe down the seat belts. Once the upholstery is completed, we will now move on to cleaning the other surfaces of the interior.

Begin on the driver’s side. Using the Amorall spray, saturate a section of a clean cloth and begin to wipe down the side panel of the door and then move to the seat area that has leather or vinyl. Wipe down any surface including the dashboard, steering wheel, instrument panel etc. until every surface has been cleaned. Now take that same cloth and clean the painted surface of the door and the door frame of the car. Move on to the passenger side and follow the same procedure. Then move to the back seats and continue with the same procedure until the car is completely cleaned. Use the cotton swabs for the little nooks and crannies to get out all the dust and dirt. Clean each door frame and door as well as the trunk and frame of the trunk. Now, clean out any storage areas in the car such as the glove box, cup holders and other areas always using a clean cloth in each area.

Lastly, clean the interior of the windows with window cleaner and a clean cloth. Voila’. Your car should now be clean.

Note: Check your glove box for current registration and insurance documents. I keep mine in a ziptop clear plastic bag for easy access if I get pulled over 😦 or in the case that I am getting something out of the glove box and these papers fall on the ground. It would be my luck that they would fall right into a puddle so I take the precaution to place them in a sealed bag.

Now, let’s equip the car so that you are ultra prepared when leaving to run errands or going to work. The first important item to put in your car is a safety kit. This should include:

• Jumper Cables
• Flares
• Reflective Vest
• Plastic Poncho
• Small Collection of Tools: Screwdriver, vise grips, cresent wrench, and a Leatherman tool
• Duct Tape
• Flashlight
• Extra Batteries
• White Towel
• First Aid Kit: to include disposable gloves, bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, and antibacterial salve

Now find a place to store all these. You can use an old briefcase, computer case or other similar type of storage device to house all these things. You’ll want the first aid kit to be in a place that is easy to access in the instance of an emergency.

If you transport children frequently, you may want to cover your seats with towels or seat covers to prevent the spills from soaking into the upholstery. A polyester shower curtain works well here. Also, you may want to make a traveling toy kit to keep your children occupied in the car during trips. A backpack or lunch cooler works well for this. Gather some of the smaller toys that your children like to keep in this kit so that in case you are stuck in traffic, they will have something to do besides “drive” you crazy. Books and Books on CD are excellent to have in this kit. You will also want to have a car lunch box that is packed so that you will always have snacks on hand in case you are delayed during your transport/taxi time. Gather some snacks and juice boxes to keep in your car lunch box so that you are always prepared.

One last tip: I am always on the go and often I need to ship items to customers or mail a bill or document. I created a traveling office center that I store in a laptop carrier. I keep it in my car and it houses many items that I might need to send something through the mail. Stamps, tape scissors, address labels, pens, markers, envelopes, tissue paper, notecards, highlighters, a small stapler, paper clips and other small office goodies help when you need to run something by the post office. Many times you intent to mail something and you find you forgot these things at home. Having a traveling office saves me time, frustration and money by allowing me access to these items.

You may want to create something similar for your kids  as they attend sports and other activities. Often you find that you leave something vital at home. By creating a traveling bag with critical items, you will not have to run back home or to the nearest shop to get these items. Socks, instrument reeds, acoustical strings, a copy of the sheet music, extra shoes, laces and other items are well worth effort when you find at the last moment, that you don’t have these things. You’ll thank me latter as you’ll find that this strategy will safe you much time, frustration and money. That’s what the Transformational Organization process is all about!!

A picnic basket is useful for spontaneous picnics or stopping when you see a dazzling place to linger and let the kids or pets play. You can pack paper or plastic plates, utensils, napkins, (have a few of these left over from a party?). Include some small balls, bubbles and a frisbee. Have a tablecloth for a picnic blanket and voila’, you are ready for an instant picnic!

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