Car Organizer Ideas Under $5

Super Easy and Cheap

(...And The Kids Will Love Them)

by Bill Flitter

Everyone who has kids knows what it’s like to have a car filled with junk. Your back seat can go from clean to cluttered in a matter of a single road trip. Every parent has a car with a back seat covered in toys, jackets, hats, hair clips, and sometimes even garbage. For those of you with cars that look like the kid’s closet took it over, here are some easy car organizer tips for keeping your car zen-like.

Did you know...

In the U.S. 8 million cars are washed per day.
car organizer tips - Everyone who has kids knows what it’s like to have a car filled with junk. Your back seat can go from clean to cluttered in a matter of a single road trip.

Car Organizer Hacks Under $5

Shower Hangers

The first hack is to use shower hangers with clear plastic holders to keep all the back seat snacks and knick knacks organized and up off the upholstery. It’s also a great way to sort toiletries for car camping and long road trips. You can also try hanging one of these over the back of the front seat so that they hang down in front of the back seat, you know, for easy access.

Price: $7 at Amazon

Heidi Castro, Mom

Just grab some labels and assign spaces for all the things you need during car trips. We are a HUGE road-tripping family, so we spend hours and hours and miles and miles in our mini, and these are the things that we need the most often that can easily be stored.
Car organizer tips - use shower hangers with clear plastic holders to keep all the back seat snacks and knick knacks organized and up off the seats

Shower Caddy

Staying with the shower organizer theme, a shower caddy can come in handy to keep the back seat clean as well. I’ll admit it makes running through In n Out for a burger very appealing.

Price: $4.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond

car organizer tips - a shower caddy can come in handy to keep the back seat clean

Suction Cup Caddy

Shower organizers come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, with a variety of features. And if your container happens to have suction cups, then BOOM, you got yourself a portable doo-dads holder. It’s perfect for long road trips as well as everyday running around. (source)

Price: $4.27 at Amazon

(Are you sensing that a shower organizer also makes for handy car organizer?)

Hayley, Mom

These suction-cup shower caddies attach to the window so they are easy for kids to reach and quick to remove. Keep colored pencils and small toys handy. 
car organizer tips - portable doo dads holder perfect for long road trips or for the everyday running around.

DIY Tablet Holder

If your family is lucky enough to have an iPad that the kids can use, then you might want to take the time to make this DIY Tablet Holder. Just fit the homemade holder around the front seat headrest with the tablet attached. Now the kids can see the screen without fighting over who gets to hold it. You will need to know how to sew to make this little beauty.

Price: FREE — materials you likely already have around your house.

Car organizer tips - You fit the homemade holder around the front seat head rest with the tablet attached and now both kids can see the screen without fighting over who gets to hold it.

Recycled Kleenex Box

During road trips, cars can accumulate trash faster than you can drive down the highway. And you can only store so many napkins and trash bags in the glove box. If you don’t like the idea of letting the garbage sit there until the next gas station, then why not stuff a bunch of plastic trash bags in an empty kleenex box? This is a great idea for camping trips too!

Price: FREE

car organizer tips - If you don’t like the idea of letting the trash sit there until the next gas station, then why not stuff a bunch of plastic trash bags in an empty kleenex box?

Cereal Storage Container

If you want to skip the trash bags and have the trash go straight to a garbage can, then this handy organization hack will make you smile. Simply convert a standard cereal container into a portable trash can with lid. Perfect for half-eaten lollipops and leftover french fries.

Price: $4.39 at Search Outlet

car organizer tips - . Simply convert a standard cereal container into a portable trash can with lid.

DIY Removable Shelf

A pop-up trunk shelf is the perfect idea to double your SUV’s storage and organization space. If your vehicle did not offer the option of a removable shelf for your trunk space (i.e., Honda CRV), then consider making your own. This DIY project is a bit more complicated than stuffing trash bags in a tissue box. However, the industrious among you could handle this project no problem. The shelf pops up when you need it and pops down when you don’t. Not only does it increase your storage space and keep items separated, but it also keeps valuables hidden when you park your car.

Price: $3.17 at Home Depot (alternative solution, if you are not handy)

car organizer tips - The shelf pops up for when you need it and and pops down for when you don’t.

Over To You

These are just a few car organizer hacks to try and keep your car tidy when travelling with kids. What are your ideas on keeping your back seat organized? If you want more cleaning ideas check out some easy car interior cleaning tips.

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Peter Odryna

All Posts by Peter Odryna