Your car probably has a few little problems that you’ve simply learned to live with. Rainwater covering the mirrors, a wet umbrella dripping onto the floor, dusty air vents that never seem to get completely clean, or a cup holder that somehow always ends up sticky. None of these things are major problems, but finding a simple solution can make everyday driving a lot more convenient.
The good news is that you don’t always need expensive accessories or specialized products to make your car more comfortable and easier to maintain. A few ordinary household items can be surprisingly useful when you’re willing to look at them differently. We’ve put together seven simple car hacks that cover everything from keeping your mirrors clearer in the rain to creating your own air fresheners and cleaning hard-to-reach areas.
Some of these tricks take only a few seconds to set up, while others can save you from buying something specifically designed for the job. You may already have everything you need sitting around your home.
Help Keep Rain Off Your Side Mirrors
Driving in the rain can make it surprisingly difficult to see what’s happening beside your car. Water droplets collect across the side mirrors, and even after using the wipers, those mirrors can remain covered in tiny beads of water. One simple household trick involves something you probably already have in your bathroom: toothpaste.
Start with a clean, dry side mirror and apply a small amount of ordinary toothpaste directly to the glass. Spread it over the mirror’s surface, then gently buff it with a clean, soft cloth until the toothpaste is no longer visible.
The idea is to leave the glass with a smoother surface so water is less likely to remain as a uniform layer across it. Instead, droplets can bead up and move away more easily. It only takes a small amount of toothpaste, so there’s no need to cover the mirror in a thick layer. Try the technique on a small area first and make sure the mirror is completely clear before driving. If you’re looking for a more reliable long-term solution, a product specifically designed for automotive glass may be preferable.
Turn the Headrest Into a DIY Backseat TV Holder
Long road trips can be difficult when children start asking, “Are we there yet?” every few minutes. If you don’t have built-in rear-seat entertainment, there’s a surprisingly simple way to create a temporary screen holder using a zip-top plastic bag.
Start by removing the headrest from the front seat. Take a sturdy, appropriately sized zip-top bag and position it over the two headrest posts. Carefully make openings in the bag where the posts need to pass through, then slide the headrest back into place. The headrest helps hold the bag against the back of the seat.
You can then place a tablet or another suitable device inside the clear bag, allowing passengers in the back to see the screen through the plastic. It isn’t going to replace a professionally installed entertainment system, but for a temporary setup, it can be surprisingly practical. Make sure the device and bag are securely positioned and don’t interfere with any airbags, seat mechanisms or other safety equipment. And, of course, any screen should be used by passengers rather than the driver.
Stop a Wet Umbrella From Dripping Inside Your Car
A wet umbrella can create a frustrating mess inside the car. You can shake off as much water as possible before getting inside, but there’s usually still plenty left dripping from the fabric. Instead of letting that water collect on the seats or floor, you can make a simple container for it from an empty plastic bottle.
Take a clean plastic bottle and carefully cut away the upper portion, leaving the bottom section open enough to accommodate the folded end of your umbrella. The remaining bottle acts as a small water-catching container. When you get back into the car after being caught in the rain, fold your umbrella and place the wet end inside the bottle. As the remaining water runs off, it collects inside the container instead of dripping throughout the vehicle.
The trick is particularly useful if you’re carrying groceries, bags or passengers and don’t want to spend the rest of the journey worrying about water on the upholstery. Make sure the bottle sits securely and doesn’t roll around the cabin or interfere with the pedals. Empty it once you arrive and allow both the bottle and umbrella to dry properly.
Make a Discreet DIY Car Air Freshener
A pleasant-smelling car doesn’t necessarily require a store-bought air freshener hanging from the mirror. You can make a simple alternative using a small piece of an absorbent sanitary pad and an essential oil you already enjoy. Start by cutting a small piece from the pad. Add a few drops of your chosen essential oil to the absorbent material, allowing it to soak in rather than leaving excess oil sitting on the surface.
Once you’ve prepared it, place the scented piece somewhere discreet and secure, such as underneath a seat. The absorbent material holds the fragrance, allowing the scent to gradually spread through the cabin. You can easily change the fragrance whenever you want something different. A fresh citrus scent might be nice during the day, while another fragrance could give the car a warmer feel.
Just remember that essential oils are concentrated, and some can stain or damage automotive materials. Keep the scented piece contained and away from upholstery, dashboards and other surfaces where the oil could make direct contact. It’s a simple idea that costs very little and can be refreshed whenever the scent begins to fade.
Clean Your Air Vents With a Kitchen Sponge
The narrow slats on your car’s air-conditioning vents are magnets for dust. The problem is that they’re also awkward to clean. A regular cloth can wipe the surface, but it often can’t get properly between each individual slat. An ordinary kitchen sponge can help solve that problem. Take a clean sponge and carefully use a sharp utility knife to make several narrow cuts into one edge. Don’t cut completely through it. Instead, create flexible sections that can fit between the vent slats.
Once you’ve made the cuts, lightly dampen the sponge. You don’t want it soaking wet—just slightly moist enough to pick up dust and grime. Gently guide the cut edge between the vent slats, working across the opening one section at a time. The narrow pieces of sponge can reach into spaces that a conventional cloth struggles to access.
It can be particularly useful for cleaning the corners and edges where dust tends to accumulate. Take your time and avoid forcing the sponge into the vents. You don’t want pieces of sponge breaking off or moisture getting deeper into the dashboard. With a little patience, though, this simple modification can make cleaning those frustrating little gaps considerably easier.
Give Your Cup Holders a Surprisingly Deep Clean
Cup holders don’t usually look dirty until you actually take a close look at them. Crumbs, dust, spilled drinks and sticky residue can build up in the bottom and around the edges, creating a cleaning job that is much more annoying than it should be. One unusual trick is to use shaving cream. Apply a small amount inside the cup holder and spread it across the bottom and sides. The cream can help loosen some of the grime and residue that has accumulated there.
After giving it a little time to work, use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe the area thoroughly. You can use a soft brush or cloth to work around particularly awkward corners and edges. Once the grime has been removed, go over the area again with a slightly damp cloth to make sure no shaving cream remains behind. Dry the surface afterward.
The technique is especially useful for removable cup-holder inserts, which can often be taken out and cleaned separately. Always check that the product you’re using is compatible with the materials in your vehicle and avoid getting excess moisture into electronic components. A few minutes of cleaning can make one of the most frequently used parts of your center console look noticeably better.
Make Another Easy Air Freshener With a Clothespin
Here’s another simple way to make your car smell better, and this one requires even fewer materials. All you need is a wooden clothespin and an essential oil with a fragrance you enjoy. Start by placing a few drops of essential oil directly onto the wooden part of the clothespin. The wood naturally absorbs the liquid, helping it hold the fragrance instead of allowing it to immediately disappear.
Once the oil has soaked in, clip the clothespin onto one of the car’s air-conditioning vents. When air flows through the vent, it can help carry the fragrance throughout the cabin. You can use almost any scent you personally enjoy, and refreshing it is as easy as adding a few more drops once the smell starts to fade. You could even keep several clothespins available and use different scents depending on your preference.
There is one important precaution: don’t let concentrated essential oil drip onto your dashboard, vents or other interior surfaces. Some oils can damage finishes or leave stains. Otherwise, it’s an inexpensive alternative to constantly replacing disposable air fresheners—and the wooden clip can be reused again and again.