The glove compartment inside of your vehicle is most likely used for everything besides gloves. Some people may have trouble locating important items such as current insurance information or up to date vehicle registration simply because their glove compartment is a mess. Organizing this small area is simple, as long as you know what to keep there and what to store elsewhere.

Lesson 1: Keep your glove compartment clean.

Start with an empty glove compartment. You may not remember every little thing that you shoved into your glove compartment in a hurry to put something away. Empty it out and clean it with spray and paper towel or dish detergent and warm water. Dry it well, and do this as often as dust collects in your car.

Lesson 2: Make the space functional.

Believe it or not, there are only a few practical items that should be stored in your glove compartment. The idea is to keep this area neat, organized, and clutter-free so that you can find items quickly when you need them.

It is essential to have only your current insurance and registration information. Expired versions can be shredded or discarded. The manual for your vehicle is another important item that can be kept in this location. There is truly little else that you must keep in your glove compartment, but there are a few items that are typically convenient to have on hand.

Lesson 3: Other practical items for your glove compartment.

Just in case of an emergency, keep a small first aid kit in your glove compartment. You never know when you might need one.

A flashlight is a helpful item if you need to look under the hood for any reason, if your battery dies, or if you or a passenger dropped something under the seats.

Your cell phone charger is another useful item to keep in your car. This could be a lifesaver if you have an accident and need to make a call. You don’t want to be stuck with a dead phone.

Paper towel or napkins can help if you spill something or need to wipe down the inside of your car.

Lesson 4: Clear your automobile clutter regularly.

If you drive often, you are bound to have little items in your hands when you enter your vehicle. It can be tempting just to throw them in the glove compartment, or in the back seat. Make a habit of taking things that don’t belong in your car into the house with you. Find a place to store these items in the house.

You should also empty any garbage out of your car regularly. Never leave food garbage in your car.

Did you learn something about glove compartment organization? I hope so. Make an effort to get your glove compartment clean and organized. Putting what you have learned to use will make it easy for you to find things in your vehicle.