Keeping your car clean with small kids is next to impossible. The crazy things that you find in your kids’ carseats ranges from insane to downright disgusting. That’s where this DIY car trash can comes into play.

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These is no way I am the only person in the world who can’t seem to keep her car clean. Sometimes it feels like the trash is spawning in your vehicle (especially after my husband drives it).

Even worse? Go on a road trip with 3 small kiddos and you will have no doubt that you need this DIY car trash can, espiecially if you’ve got one of Honda’s new cars for families. Don’t want to get that messy! Take it from someone who loves random road trips on the fly.

Materials

Large Lidded Container (I used the container from these Plastic Animal Sets)
2 inch Wide Velcro
Colorful Duct Tape

Step 1

First, pull off any loose pieces of packaging, like the label. This keeps your duct tape from coming off of your container.

Step 2

Next, remove the lid from your container.

Step 3

Now, use your container as a guide and cut your Velcro slightly larger than the bottom of your container.

Tip:

You only need the stiff side of the velco. The carpet of your van acts as the soft side of the velco when you put it in there.

Step 4

Stretch your velco across the bottom of your container and make sure that it overlaps onto the sides of the container on both ends. Secure in place with your first layer of tape.

Step 5

Continue covering your container by layering rows of duct tape.

Note:

I chose to match up my patterns as best as I could, but this isn’t necessary. I just likes the look of it better.

Step 6

Next, cover your lid with duct tape. Do this separately from your container so that you can take it off and put it back on as needed. You don’t want an open trash can floating around your van.

Tip:

Cut your tape edges and fold them around the handle on your lid. This makes it easier to remove the lid when needed.

Step 7

Lastly, place in a plastic grocery bag inside of your DIY car trash can, return the lid, and Velcro to the floor of your van.

This was so easy to make that I went ahead and made one for hubs too! Of course, I can’t promise that he’ll use it but that’s an entirely different story.

Bonus Tip:

Put a couple of empty bags in the bottom before placing the last one as your trash bag. That way, if you empty your trash on the go, you have a replacement bag ready to go.

This DIY car trash can is not only easy to make, it is also easy to customize to your tastes. Choose a fun duct tape in a pattern you love and the rest is cake. What other hacks do you use to keep your van clean? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

See where I’m linking up!