Published 24 September 2024
Car packing tips to organise
your boot
How well is your car boot packed? Like a perfect jigsaw puzzle or more like Mr Messy’s jumble sale?
Everyday life is often too busy to give your car boot a second thought. The shopping gets thrown in the back and you grab it out when you get home. There are probably a couple of spare bags for life, just in case, an assortment of empty drinks bottles and that old tyre pump that rarely gets used. Right?
Let’s face it, most car boots are ignored until they’re too far gone. We only address the boot situation when we’re trying to play Tetris with holiday suitcases or looking to sell our cars. After years of neglect, your car boot could take some effort to sort out and get it back to its best.
But having an organised boot actually makes your car safer, as well as making sure you’re using the space efficiently. So, maybe it’s more important than you first thought. Our guide will help you spruce up that boot in no time and make sure it doesn’t come back to bite you later.
Clear it
Ready? Deep breath… we’re going in! The only way to see exactly how big your boot is, is to clear everything out so it’s completely empty.
You may well need to keep some of the items in there, but for now just put them to one side. And, no, that empty crisp packet from 2019 can’t be considered a collector’s item!
You may well need to keep some of the items in there, but for now just put them to one side. And, no, that empty crisp packet from 2019 can’t be considered a collector’s item!
Clean it
It’s looking better already! Now you’ve emptied the boot, it’s the ideal time to give it a proper clean. This might be the first deep clean it’s had in years, so let’s do it right. Here’s a list of the most likely issues you’ll find and how to tackle them:
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Everyday grime
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Excessive dirt
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Pet hair
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Moisture
Use a lint-free cloth with lukewarm water and let the boot air-dry. Simple.
Wipe clean with a wet cloth and use cleaning products if you need to, but remember to check the instructions first. Some products may make matters worse. When wiped, let your boot dry.
This can be a real pain, especially if you have a super shedder. The hair gets absolutely everywhere and it’s so hard to remove. Use a dustpan and brush or vacuum cleaner and then a damp cloth to wipe away any stains.
If you’re guilty of throwing wet swimming gear in there, you may have ended up with a damp boot. Use a dry cloth to soak up moisture.
List the essentials
Have a think about those 24/7, 365 car boot essentials you may need for safety and convenience. Consider keeping the following items:
- Breakdown kit
- Shopping bags
- First aid kit
- Weather-related items
- High-vis vests
Common sense is key when deciding what you consider essential. Everyone will have slightly different needs depending on season, location and personal preference.
Think about space
Does your breakdown kit fit under the boot by the spare tyre? Are their any pockets you don’t normally use that could house those rarely needed (but essential) items like the first aid kit and high-vis vests?
Think about packing smaller items into a box to keep things tidy and easy to access. Top tip: label any boxes, so you know where things are if you need them in a hurry.
You can even get special boxes and organiser racks specifically for car boots that give you extra storage space for smaller items. They look smart and keep things neat and tidy.
Think about packing smaller items into a box to keep things tidy and easy to access. Top tip: label any boxes, so you know where things are if you need them in a hurry.
You can even get special boxes and organiser racks specifically for car boots that give you extra storage space for smaller items. They look smart and keep things neat and tidy.
Pack items carefully
When you’re packing what needs to go back into your boot, take care not to just cram it all in. Place items carefully, thinking about where they should go to keep your boot tidy and use as little space as possible.
Finally, take a step back and look at the results. A well-packed boot you didn’t realise you needed but now you can’t imagine doing without. It was worth it after all. Now, let’s have a look in your garage…
Finally, take a step back and look at the results. A well-packed boot you didn’t realise you needed but now you can’t imagine doing without. It was worth it after all. Now, let’s have a look in your garage…
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