10 Things You Shouldn't Store In Your Car, According to Pros

29.08.2023 - 23:21 / thespruce.com / Barbara Bellesi Zito

If you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, chances are your car needs a good tidying up. Maybe you’ve amassed a collection of wadded-up napkins in your glove compartment from frequent drive-thru outings (hey, no judgment here). Or perhaps there’s a bunch of coffee cups and water bottles left over from your work commute. Suffice it to say, you’ve got a lot of stuff that’s hitching a ride—and it’s time to part ways.

“As a professional organizer, I've learned that many individuals treat their vehicles as an extension of their homes, leading to unintentional clutter,” says Aaron Traub, owner and lead organizer at My Professional Organizer Dallas. “While keeping certain items in your car for convenience is tempting, some can create messes, odors, or even deteriorate due to temperature fluctuations.”

Below, experts weigh in on what needs to be kicked out and stored elsewhere.

It’s fine if you’re saving that coupon for a free coffee on your birthday. But what about that pile of expired coupons and receipts? Get rid of all that excess paper, and you'll tidy up your car’s interior in a flash, says Traub.

If there’s anything you must keep on hand, he suggests keeping it in a clear zip pouch that fits in the glove box or center console

First of all, you have an entire kitchen cabinet full of reusable water bottles, so why are you toting around a plastic water bottle anyway? Don't give up valuable cupholder space to those empties, and don't let them roll around on the floors, either. Be sure to grab them as you exit the car and find the nearest recycling bin to avoid cluttering up your car.

That's an impressive pile of coins in your cupholder, Moneybags. Do you know what you've also got there? Tons of bacteria.When you think