Want a clean car? Start by adopting these habits

Have you heard the old saying that it takes 30 days to create a new habit? Habits are the building blocks of our everyday lives. And, when it comes to keeping things tidy, little habits add up to big results.

There are probably some things you already have as daily or weekly habits. Maybe you keep up on dishes and laundry. But there are probably some new habits you’d like to add to your list, too. Maybe you’d like to go to the gym more or eat healthier a few days a week. But what about your car? Is it part of your habits list?

Cars aren’t part of the house, so it can be easy to forget the upkeep. Here are a few habits you can foster to keep your car (at least mostly) clean all the time.

Establish rules for the kids. We all know kids can be messy– no matter how old they are. Part of establishing new habits for your car is to include rules for your kids while their in the car. You might have a ban on messy food or markers and glue. You might require them to take off — or at least brush off — dirty or sandy shoes and clothes. One smart habit to establish is an “In-n-out” rule: If a toy or other item goes into the car, it must come out. You can also keep a towel in the car to wipe off muddy shoes or clothing before getting in too. That’ll save you another cleaning step!

Always take some trash out with you. Inevitably, even with the best of intentions, trash builds up in the car. Receipts, fast food wrappers, toys and who knows what else. Sometimes, before you know it, your car is a cluttered mess. Too often tiny bits of trash slide just beyond your reach into the crack between the console and passenger seat and then migrate down to the deep, dark abyss beneath the seats. Stop this horror before it happens. Start incorporating the rule that every time you leave the car, you have to take one piece of trash with you.

Keep cleaning supplies in the car. Make cleaning easier by keeping a few quick supplies in your car. Somtimes the worst part of climbing into a car and realizing it’s disgusting because you forgot to clean it is not having any cleaning supplies to fix it. Always keep some wipes in your dash, some paper towels in your center console and a portable vacuum cleaner in your trunk. Then it’ll just take a few minutes to do a quick spot clean. You’ll be ready for any mess and passengers can help tidy up while you drive.

Schedule regular car maintenance. Getting regular maintenance checks and even car washes are a great way to keep your car looking and running new. A few places in your car can be hard to clean on your own. Air filters in particular can get dirty over time and make your car smell bad, so make sure you take your vehicle in regularly for a tune-up. They will no doubt fix other issues that could have left you stranded on the highway if you ignored them.

Car washes, in particular will keep your car looking better than ever. Nothing beats the great sensation of a freshly washed vehicle. When your car’s exterior needs some attention, visit Scrubby’s. We’re experts in keeping cars looking great. What’s even better is our Dollar Monday specials where a dollar buys you a four minutes’ wash time for just a buck!

Try these habits for the next 30 days. We bet your car will be looking better than ever and you’ll spend less time stressing over it’s cleaning!