This post brought to you by PERK. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Sweet Pennies From Heaven.
Summer car cleanliness is NOTHING like winter car cleanliness. Right? In the summer you have stinky sweaty kids and pets on the go, more dirt and heaven help us when the kids don’t throw that milkshake cup away! Imagine THAT stench in 100 degree weather. OMG’ahh! Gag!
There are 5 steps to make your car smell good this summer.
1. Get the clothes out of the car!
Do your kids shed their stinky sweaty shirts, socks and shoes in the car on a hot day? I know some who do…and there they lay. For days. A hot car and sweaty clothes are not a good combination! Keep a tote bag or heck, even a small laundry basket in the back for them to put dirty clothes in.
2. Throw it away
Even if it’s just a small plastic grocery bag! Hang it from the seats so they’re RIGHT there, easy to be seen. Summer time means ice cream in the car, or stops through the drive-through. Hot cars and milkshakes OR fast food, again, NOT a good combination.
3. The beachtowels have GOT to go
Don’t leave wet beach towels and suits in the car. Heat can quickly make the wet clothing sour and THAT is not a lovely smell. AT ALL. Bleck!
4. BAKING SODA
Baking soda is your white powdery friend. USE it. Sprinkle it on your carpets and your seats. Scrub it in with a brush and let it sit overnight, then vacuum up in the morning. It really helps take all the stink away that kids and pets leave!
5. PERK up the smell in your car.
Now that you’ve cleaned out all the yuck, make your car smell nice and fresh with air fresheners for your car. I love PERK cause I love the design. It just clicks onto your sun visor so it’s right above your head and you can always smell it, but it’s up and out of your way! Definitely a cool way to wake up your space!
The PERK Visor Wrap is BRAND new this year in their line of automotive air fresheners. It has the patent-pending StediScent™ technology and it gives consistent fragrance. It lasts 30 days, unlike others that seem to lose their scent within just a few days. Ohh, and these things don’t leak or spill out either! I’ve had a few air fresheners that did that, and it’s so annoying!
It has a really cool design, in that it wraps around your sun visor. It actually just slides on and grips the visor so it won’t slide off. It allows you still be able to use your sun visor to block the sun. I love when my car smells good, so I was happy that we really ended up liking the PERK Visor Wraps. My husband has one in his vehicle too.
You can find them at Walmart, Target, Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, Meijer, Kroger, Pep Boys, Publix, CVS, and other places auto air fresheners are sold and they come in super fun scents like Golden Vanilla, Caribbean Colada and New Car. Make sure to head to PERK’s Facebook page, and ohh!! Don’t forget your $1 off PERK coupon!
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- 6 month supply of PERK products/fragrances
- 1 PERK travel mug
- 2 pairs of PERK sunglasses (1 green and 1 black)
the chick behind this blog! I'm your ordinary, everyday wife and mom to an incredible pair of stinky guys! I am a self diagnosed coffee addict with a ginormous sweet tooth, preferably baked goods!! My hope is to help you, teach you, and entertain you on your way to a more thrifty and frugal lifestyle! Along the way, you'll find awesome recipes, great tips, and tons of randomness! We have loads of fun, so ya'll come back now, ya hear?!
I say that you need to allow ample enough time for ta car to air out in the summertime with the windows down.
I think the most important thing is to make sure never, ever to leave any food in the car.
Always pick up everything before you leave the car this way junk does not build up ….. and leave your windows open once in a while to air out !
Really could use these….lol
we try to clean the car at once a week and don’t leave food wrappers in the car
I spray Febreze on my my seats and carpet to keep it smelling fresh.
put down plastic on the floor mats when coming from outdoor games with the kids
I make it a habit to get food outta my car the minute we are home or near a garbage.
Check under the seats for “treasure finds” from the kiddos 🙂 You’d be amazed what they stuff under there.
Keep a trash bag in your car for easy stow.
I don’t leave trash in the car and try not to eat in there.
I have the trash bags & organizers that stay on the back of the car seats an we take the trash out daily. So we are never with a mountain of trash.
Do a weekly clean out of your car and keep a trash bin in the car.
I don’t let the kids eat in the car and I get rid of all trash at the end of the day!!
We keep a trash bag in the car and the kids have to take it out weekly.
It’s easy to let it pile up – on trash day, remember to check the car for trash, too!
I try to clean out the car every day so nothing stinky stays in it for long.
Put something down on the back seat for those muddy, sweaty dogs.
Dont eat or leave food in your car and if you smoke always get rid of the BUTTS, they are what really stink up your car.
To keep my car clean in the summer I keep my windows rolled down unless it is raining.
Having a bag for trash handy, and cleaning up after each use is an easy way to keep your vehicle clean!
no food in the car ever!
I try to make sure there is no trash left in my car
I let mine air out and never leave trash inside.
This one is a little odd and might not be for everyone, but it’s been great for keeping my car clean. I put big cupcake liners in the cup holders and switch them out every month. You would not believe how dirty they get!
Everything goes when you get out of the car. I do not allow anything to stay. when you go it goes.
We alway clean the car after beach outing, but we try to pick up trash daily to keep out the dreaded smell lol Thanks
I bring a plastic grocery bag to put grassy shoes in after soccer.
i dont leave food in the car
Clean it out EVERY day! If you leave anything in it,your car will smell!
I keep wipes in my car and a bag for trash.
I like to leave a bag in the car for all trash. The kids know the routine by now. Thank you!
I clean it out daily- to keep it from getting out of hand. Thanks for the chance.
Make sure the kids take in their trash everyday
I keep a small bag (like a grocery bag) in my car so my kids can put their trash in the bag.
I try to get all food containers out of the car as soon as possible!! I keep small trash bags in my car and clean it out every 2 or 3 days of all trash.
I try to make sure that I take out the garbage everyday and wipe down the inside.
I don’t eat in it and I air out my car with the windows down.
I always travel with an empty trash bag in my trunk. That way when the mood strikes, I can easily clean out my car to keep it clean and fresh.
I try to clean it once a week and if I take the dogs anywhere, I’ll put a sheet on the car seats to help keep it clean.
Use armor all on your dash in order to prevent cracking or other issues. Also clean your car out after every major trip. Don’t leave trash to pile up. I use a small plastic bag in my backseat in order to keep trash and throw it out every time we take a trip. If we ever eat in the car I throw the food away right after.
I don’t leave anything in the car! I do not allow eating or drinking, except in a GOOD sippy cup.. that can’t leak!! In the past, I learned my lesson. And the ONE time I let the kids eat in this current car- Oh yep, spilled a milk shake all over. NO more eating in there ever.
I enlist my kids to help keep it clean during the summer. We clean it out together and wash the outside.
I always keep mini garbage bags in the front and back of the car and they get emptied out twice a week.
Always carry in your purchases dont say “I’ll do it later!” HAHA! 🙂
Car wash once a week- help all those clubs out on the summer-lol
I keep a small trash can in my car and empty it every time I fill up
Clean out trash daily instead of letting it pile up.
Its best to clean it every couple of days and not be lazy so you wont let the dirt accumilate.
We have a bag hanging for trash and we only eat in the car n long trips and everyone takes the trash out when we leave.
Don’t leave food or trash in the car and take it to a commercial car wash and use the heavy duty vacuum. It’s amazing how much gets pulled out of the nooks and crannies.
I slide the handles of a grocery bag over the arm rest in the front and let it hang freely behind the console. Great trash can and easy to toss every week.
Implement a “No eating in the car” policy
Bring in any garbage daily from your vehicle
I always have a trash bag in my car and use it!
Keep a plastic grocery bag in your car for accumulating car trash!
If I ever leave something in my car for too long (food, shoes, trash) I slice an apple and leave it overnight in my vehicle. It does a nice job of eliminating any smells.
Whenever you have trash, always throw it away after every trip.
I keep my car smelling fresh by leaving the windows cracked to allow for some air flow when the car is parked. I find that in Florida, the summer sun can create an overpowering staleness and overwhelming amount of “Hot” scent from my air fresheners. This way the car gets to breathe and it is better for the next time I get inside.
It’s easier to keep my car clean in the summer because I don’t take the dogs with me as much. And I don’t eat in my car, so that helps.
Never leave food in the car.
Check the back seat frequently. In August, one kid-abandoned apple or handful of grapes can make your car smell like closing time at the bar in a matter of hours.
I have learned over the years to limit the food eating in my vehicle. Keeps the crumbs out of the seat and floor boards.
I have a no eating policy for the car.
We never leave food or old wrappers in the car and also leave the windows open when possible to let it air out about once a week.
I always pick things up right away before I exit the car.
I make sure I bring everything in the house out of the car at the end of the day so I don’t get a huge build up of stuff. I also keep a new air freshener in it and wipe it down once a week!
The only tip I have to keep your car clean in the summer is to keep a bag in the car and every time you pull into a gas station us the opportunity to clean the garbage out of your car
DOn’t eat in the car!
no one gets out of the car until their area is clean, keep a trash bag and take it in every day.
All trash goes into the side door and when I fill up with gas I empty it into the trash can.
Clean the car out weekly and don’t leave food or dirty clothes.
I keep a plastic bag hooked to my gear shift to catch all the trash. It is easily removed and replaced so the car stays clean
make sure you always take your trash out
I make sure every time anyone leaves the car they clean up their area.
It helps to keep a couple of shopping bags in the car one for garbage and another for items to bring inside.
I keep a litter bag in my car. Also, whenever we arrive at our destination, I make sure to take the trash out.
I keep a bag in there for trash and clean it out after long trips.
Thanks for the tips on keeping your car smelling nice. I agree that keeping food like old milkshakes in your car in hot weather will really leave a bad odor. Using a combination of air fresheners and picking up after yourself and your family seems like a good combination. I want to find attractive car fresheners since I will be looking at them every day.