Yes, You Can Still Have a Clean Car with Kids!
That may surprise you to hear, but it’s true as long as you take the right precautions. Everyone loves having a clean car and having a kid shouldn’t change that. Protecting the inside of your vehicle as a parent is all about anticipating trouble. You need to understand your kids will likely make a mess. It’s just a fact of life. Keeping your car clean means protecting the inside from everyday spills and leaks. By using JennyChem products, you can effectively shield your car’s interior from inevitable spills and stains, keeping it spotless for longer durations.
Find out how to have a clean car with kids.
Why Cleanliness Is So Important
Cars can be difficult to clean and maintain, even though many of us spend dozens of hours behind the wheel every week. Studies show that around a third of drivers clean their cars just once a year, but that’s not often enough to keep the inside safe and comfortable.
Having a clean car isn’t just about looks. It’s about protecting your loved ones from dust, mold, dirt, and bacteria. The upholstery, steering wheel, middle compartment, and the space between seats can be a magnet for all kinds of nasty debris. A recent study found that the steering wheel can be just as dirty as a toilet seat. This can lead to a range of health conditions over time, such as respiratory infection, allergies, and the spread of disease and illness.
Plan on cleaning out your car every week or month to make sure your kids can travel safely.
Come Prepared
Depending on how much time you spend in the car, it’s usually best to keep everything you need on hand in case your youngsters get out of control. For many parents, that means having an extra set of diapers, wet wipes, trash bags, tissues, and other essential cleaning supplies. Instead of lugging all these items around, keep them in the side compartment, glove box, or back seat for easy access. Kids can easily have an emergency when you least expect it, so it’s best to be prepared.Â
For tougher stains and spills, you may even want to keep cleaning supplies in the car, including Windex, upholstery cleaner, all-surface cleaner, and a dry rag for quickly wiping up messes. If some drinks and snacks tend to be more of a mess than others, you might want to leave them at home. Switch to bottled water and crumb-free snacks like baby carrots and celery to avoid messes in the first place.
Being prepared is also about knowing your kids. Think about the items they may need on the road, such as an extra blanket, pillow, or medication for traveling safely in the car. Keeping some toys, books, or games on hand can also come in handy. Kids tend to be less of a mess when they have a way to distract themselves from what’s going on around them.Â
Preventative Maintenance
Don’t let everyday spills and stains get the better of you. Being a parent comes with the constant threat of accidents and mishaps. It’s better to just go with the flow, especially when you should be concentrating on the road and not fussing over your kids.
With the right accessories, you can turn a blind eye to spills, at least until you reach your destination. Use rubber floor mats to protect the surface of your car. Crumbs and dirt tend to wind up on the floor. A major spill can also lead to mold, mildew, and electrical damage if the fluid gets into the frame of the vehicle. Large treads of rubber will lock in the excess fluid so you don’t have to panic behind the wheel. When you reach your destination, just slide out the mat and rinse it off with a hose.
For stickier messes, you may want to use Goo Gone or some other kind of cleaning product. With floor mats, the spill never gets into the carpet or upholstery of your vehicle. This makes it much easier to deal with spills and stains. Instead of scrubbing out baby formula, you can get right back to driving.
The same is true of your car seats. Use seat covers to protect the upholstery from everyday mishaps. The slightest spill can lead to months of nasty smells and lingering odors. With a water-resistant seat cover, the mess stays outside the upholstery where it belongs.
If you plan on leaving the kids at home, take off the seat covers to show off the true beauty of your car.
Car Health and Safety
Getting in the car can be dramatic for some small children, especially if they tend to suffer from motion sickness. As a parent, you should be prepared for the unpredictability of traveling with your children. Even if your kids love riding in the car, a new route or an upset stomach could easily change that.
Bring along anti-nausea medication just to be safe. However, it’s important to note that some of these medications come with strong side effects that may be unsuitable for kids. Read the warning labels to make sure they are safe for your family.Â
You can also try more natural remedies for motion sickness, such as having your kids look up at the horizon instead of down at their screens. Open the windows for more fresh air, keep your kids hydrated to keep stomach issues at bay, and avoid feeding them spicy meals before a long trip.Â
Having a clean car as a parent is possible. You just have to understand the limitations of your children. They won’t be perfectly clean all the time, so make the best of the situation by investing in the right car accessories. Car seats and floor mats will go a long way in terms of reducing spills and stains. Hopefully, your kids will grow up, and your car will still look as good as new. Get to know your kids’ preferences in the car so you can all travel safely together.
