In Absentia

I must apologize for being gone so long and missing a post. I have been busy, very busy. Especially today, I've just gotten home (it's now 4pm) and I left at 630 this morning. I had my practical driving test today, test number three actually, and finally got my provisional license so today I'm going to give you some neat ideas for keeping your cars neat, cute and fresh!

I hate having rubbish all over my car so when I saw this awesome idea I just cried in thanks for someone's genius. It's a Tupperware container with a hinged lid and a garbage bag. Simple and effective and easily hidden under the seat or in the foot well. I honestly can't believe I've never thought of this before. We used to have a garbage bag tied around the gear shifter, which wasn't exactly safe but it was better than having empty take-away bags and bottles and kid rubbish all over the floor of my car. This is so much better!

Window stickers are all the rage now, especially since the popularization of the stick family. Making your own is really easy - you will need a photo-editing program such as Adobe Photoshop. You will also need a printer, sticker paper (decide if you want vinyl or a regular bumper sticker material) and a craft knife.

Make your image. Once your image (a photograph, drawing or design) is in the computer, you can print it out on the sticker paper. If you chose vinyl sticker paper, you can draw your image on it. Now that the image is printed, cut it out. All what's left to do is stick it on!

After a while the new car smell fades and there's a certain odor which creeps into the fabrics and carpets of any car. To make it smell pretty again here's ten DIY air fresheners to use anywhere.

Vacuum. Squeeze a bit of fresh lime or lemon juice in your vacuum's bag before sweeping your carpet.
Extracts. Combine vanilla, almond, or other extract with a cup of water, and spritz with a spray bottle about your living space.

Vinegar. Simply place a bowl of vinegar in the living room, kitchen, bathroom, etc, and let it sit while you're away for a few hours. When you return, the vinegar smell will have gone away, taking other odors with it.

Vinegar #2. For particularly offensive smells,  simmer white vinegar in a small saucepan on the stove for 30-45 minutes. As it evaporates, it will help dissipate other smells.
Citrus Zest.Don't even use or eat a piece of citrus without saving the zest, or rind (the peel, without the white 'pith'.) If there's no place for it in your recipe (though there probably is), simmer in a bit of water, or place in your garbage disposal and run for a minute with the hot water running.
Baking Soda. Simply 
Lightbulbs. Add a drop of essential oil to a lightbulb ring, and add the ring to each lightbulb in a room. The heat will help it move throughout the space, and it's apparently fire safe.
Fabric Softener Sheets. Have a peek here for several techniques.
DIY Simmering Potpourri. Simply simmering several ingredients and spices does a great deal to scent your space. Look here for some excellent recipes.

 Keeping your car clean will not only help it last a little bit longer but will make it something you can be proud of driving! Lots of road grime goes unnoticed when washing you car so make sure you hose off the under carriage, scrub down your wheels and the front grille. Wash your car once a fortnight and once a month give it as good polish to keep the paint from fading and cracking and help keep your car running smoothly and sexily!

Seat covers are a great way to spice up your car and keep your factory or aftermarket seats in good condition. You can buy a pretty set for under $20 these days and making customized ones isn't that hard. If you're making it from scratch you can trace your existing seats for a pattern, and sew them out of the fabric you'd like or you can jazz up a cheap, plain set with applique, studs, fabric paints and pen, iron on transfers, patches and even scrap material or old band shirts. There's hundred of ways to make them fit your car and your personality without them being run of the mill.

Drive safe!