In this guide we show gadgets that create more space and order and help keep the car clean.
Gadgets for more order
Although most cars now have cup holders and compartments for storing sunglasses, there is still room for improvement in one place or another. It starts with a cell phone holder, which we have already tested in detail. More about this in the guide to mobile phone holders for the car: Wireless charger with Magsafe & Qi from 20 euros.
If, like the author, you like to empty your pockets while driving, but ashtrays etc. are already full of change, chewing gum and candy wrappers, you should take a look at car seat gap fillers. These gadgets help close the gap between the driver and passenger seats and the center console, creating additional storage options. When buying, you have to look carefully, as there are variants for one of the seats and sets for both sides. Privately, we use a model from Amazon for around 16 euros and are very satisfied with it. Other gap fillers simply close the gap and ensure that smartphones, wallets, etc. cannot slip in.
Seat organizers, which are attached to the backrest of the front seats, provide significantly more storage space and storage space on the back seat. From inexpensive models with a few individual pockets to elegant versions with fold-out tables and/or tablet holders, there is something for every taste and every application. Prices start at under 10 euros. Experience has shown that you should dig a little deeper into your pockets, as the cheap ones neither look stylish nor last long. The practical side effect of this gadget: the backrests stay clean and are protected from dirty children’s shoes.
A special form are the intermediate seat organizers, which, as the name suggests, are hung between the front seats. This creates additional space, but prevents you from reaching backwards, which can be disadvantageous with small children. Organizer boxes that stand on the seats are also available for around 15 euros. When placed between the rear seats, they offer space for toys, snacks, etc.
Cheap glasses holders for retrofitting are just as practical. These are usually simply clipped to the sun visor or ventilation grille and offer space for one or two pairs of glasses. From very simple plastic models to leather-covered holders, there is something for every taste.
Special car trash cans provide space for old chewing gum, apple slices or similar waste. These are available in different designs and sizes. We opted for a cheap double pack including garbage bags for 14 euros. These fit in the door compartments of our car and can alternatively be attached to the back seats with a clip.
There are also numerous practical bags and boxes for the trunk. It starts with bags that are attached to the backrest of the rear seats. The bags, which are available from 15 euros, are wider than those for the rear seats and are suitable for storing warning triangles, first aid boxes, lashing straps and the like. We find large organizer boxes to be placed in the trunk even better. These offer a lot of space and shopping or other items can be transported here without slipping through the trunk. Personally, we opted for a model with a whopping 68 liters of storage space for 26 euros. It is well made, waterproof and also equipped with an insulation layer. This means your purchases stay fresh even in summer temperatures. But here too you have to look closely. We attach our trunk bag with a rubber strap – but this is not always possible. Alternatively, there are bags with Velcro fasteners that are attached to the back seat and trunk floor.
Car bag holders are much easier and cheaper. The way the little hooks work is simple and ingenious. They are hung on the headrests and then the shopping bag is attached to them. It can then no longer fall over and the purchases will not be distributed throughout the entire car the next time you brake. Cheap hooks are available from 5 euros in a pack of 6. Important: Heavy bags should be attached to the hooks, but should stand on the floor and not be hung up! The hooks are simply too unstable for that.
So far, so ordinary. But there are also really strange gadgets, such as the sauce holder, which is available in different versions. The gadget is really practical in combination with the fries holder. The set includes a fries and sauce holder starting at 8 euros. Steering wheel tables, which are available from 15 euros, offer even more space for food or for setting up your notebook.
These gadgets ensure cleanliness
On long journeys, such as on a summer holiday, dirt cannot be avoided despite the rubbish bin, organizer etc. But that doesn’t mean you have to drive to the nearest car wash or lug around the big vacuum cleaner.
A handy mini vacuum cleaner is enough to get rid of dust, stones and dirt in the footwells and on the seats. The cordless vacuum cleaners, which are available from around 25 euros, have significantly more power than you would expect. This makes them ideal for dealing with dirty shoes or food crumbs. Our vacuum cleaner, which costs around 40 euros, can also be used as a mobile blower. This means we can blow dust and dirt out of even the smallest corner or use the device to heat up the grill.
If that doesn’t work, it’s worth trying cleaning slime or cleaning gel inside. This soft, slime-like mass ultimately functions like a cleaning cloth and absorbs dust and dirt when touched. Thanks to the flexible shape, you can squeeze the gel between the ventilation grilles or buttons on the window regulators and thus clean even hard-to-reach areas. We also use the gel to keep the keyboard clean.
For dirt on the body, you could use a large battery-operated high-pressure cleaner with a water tank – but on vacation and on a long journey it takes up far too much space (guide to high-pressure cleaner). It’s worth taking a look at battery-operated medium-pressure cleaners starting at 50 euros. The mobile devices have less pressure, but it is sufficient for small and fresh dirt such as bird spills. The water here comes from a bucket, a bottle or directly from the river. You don’t have to clean the car yourself to achieve a positive effect: If you transport your mountain bike in your car, you can quickly and easily remove coarse dirt from it after a hard downhill ride – and also keep the car clean.
A cheap alternative to a pressure cleaner would be a protective mat or dirt tray for the trunk. These documents are available either for individual vehicle models or in universal sizes starting at 20 euros. Experience has shown that the universal mats are sufficient for trips to the recycling center – but if you want to keep the mats in your car permanently, you should dig deeper into your pockets and buy a tray specifically for your own trunk. These are more durable and significantly less noticeable than the universal models.
Conclusion
The right gadgets ensure more space and order in the car. In order for this to actually work, trash cans etc. must of course also be used. If chewing gum and candy wrappers still end up in the footwell, you can save yourself the investment.
The biggest practical benefit for us is the gap fillers, our XL cool box in the trunk and the bags attached to the front seats for the children in the back seat. We didn’t buy fries and sauce holders – we prefer to eat in the restaurant.
We no longer want to be without our mini vacuum cleaner, but we only need the mobile medium-pressure cleaner very, very rarely. The cleaning slime is really good and is also great for computers etc.