Most drivers never leave their homes without certain things — for example, mobile phones and GPS navigation units. These little devices, which were once considered luxury items, are now considered by many people to be as essential as a spare tire or even water, especially if they plan on traveling on lonely roads or for long distances.
There are a few other useful things that every driver should stash in the glove box, door panels or cargo area of their car or truck. While most of these are things that drivers don’t commonly think of stowing in their vehicles, all of them have multiple uses that make them quite handy to have around.
Baby Wipes
Baby wipes are not just useful for diaper changes. In fact, even drivers without kids should stow a travel-size package of these moist towelettes in the car. Why? Because baby wipes can do it all. They clean up sticky and dirty messes from car seats better than a dry paper towel or napkin. Baby wipes can be used to remove a woman’s makeup, and because some contain moisturizers like Shea butter, they won’t dry out her skin. Baby wipes that contain aloe can also be used to temporarily soothe a sunburn.
Other uses for baby wipes include removing white deodorant marks from clothing, as well as dust, dirt or mud from shoes. Use them to clean off a toilet in a sketchy rest area or a person’s hands if the bathroom is out of soap or paper towels. Because they are compact little towelettes, they are environmentally sound as well as handy for your smaller cars. Look into zippy little vehicles like the Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris and the Honda Fit at Jean Knows Cars to really see why the ease of wipes would come in handy.
Flashlight
A flashlight can be a real lifesaver. It can be used to locate a missing key that may have fallen under the seat of your Nissan Leaf, illuminate a map if you are lost or help a person flag down help. Some people prefer to carry an unused glow stick instead of a flashlight, as there is always a chance that the latter’s batteries could be dead at a critical time. Glow sticks, on the other hand, can be activated when needed.
Blanket
It’s always good to have a blanket on hand. Maybe you are visiting the lake for a picnic in your Jeep Wrangler. You didn’t anticipate the grass to be damp and are fortunate you came prepared. You can also use a blanket to snuggle under for warmth. Having an extra blanket in the car can give you the peace of mind when camping, as well.
Plastic Grocery Bags
You should keep a couple of plastic bags in your car for a number of reasons. For one thing, they are perfect to stow mucky items, such as muddy shoes or wet bathing suits. And for another, they can be used, in a pinch, as gloves to pick up unpleasant items. Of course, dog owners who travel with their pets can also use them to clean up after their canines. Plastic bags can also be used as garbage bags. There is no reason why your 2012 Volkswagen Jetta should end up resembling a trash bin by the end of a journey.
Towels
Dealerships in the Dallas area recommend towels which are useful when it comes to cleaning off a fogged-up window or to sop up a big drink mess. If a child should have an accident in his pants, he can sit on the towel instead of soiling the seats until he can be taken home. Towels are also good for sitting on if the leather seats of your new Acura RDX get overheated in the hot summer months. If a car were to get stuck in mud or snow, towels could be placed under the tires to give them traction.
About The Author:
Courtney Davis
An engineer and car-show enthusiast, Courtney is always trying to find environmentally safe alternatives to the products that make cars optimally perform. She is a strong advocate of hybrids and cars that use alternative energy sources.
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