Some products were provided for inclusion with this post; however, I’m only sharing them in here if I think they are essential and keep them in my own car.

My car compiles a lot of stuff. Jackets that get removed when the day warms up, receipts that fall out of my purse or bag, bags that are awaiting to be dropped off at the thrift store, and many other random items that make their way into my car yet somehow don’t always make their way out.

While my car has a lot of items in it that *shouldn’t* be in there, I also have a few essentials that I like to always keep in my car.

Essentials You Should Always Keep In Your Car

While coming up with this list, I tried to keep it limited to true essentials, because trunk space can be limited (especially on certain days when I go out shopping).

1. 1. MyCharge Adventure JumpStart – Jumper Cables take up a lot of space, and require a second car to use. This battery not only can charge your phone, but can also jump start your car if the battery dies. I haven’t had to try this aspect out yet, *knocks on wood*, but I’m making sure to keep it charged and in my trunk in case I ever need it. The instructions on how to use it are also right on the cables themselves, so if I do ever have a dead battery, I’ll know how to use it without looking for separate instructions. 
   2. First Aid Kit – While I mostly use band-aids for broken nails (why do they always have to break far down the nail bed requiring me to wait 2 weeks to cut it); a first aid kit is important to keep in the car for other scenarios as well.
   3. Ice Scraper – We don’t have very cold winters here in Seattle; however, I still have to use an ice scraper every once in a while. I try to keep it in the car year round because otherwise the first frost will happen and I’ll get caught off guard without it.
   4. Emergency Escape Tool – This simple tool can be lifesaving. It has the ability to both cut a seatbelt, and break a window if needed for escape from the car.
   5. Lip Balm – I don’t know how many times I’m heading somewhere and am glad that I keep lip balm in my center console.
   6. LED Flashlight – From searching for things under the seat to needing light in emergency situations, having a high powered flashlight can be helpful. This one is nice and small which is perfect to toss in the glovebox.
   7. Baby Wipes – Baby wipes are perfect for more than just babies. When I was a nanny I always had a pack of baby wipes in my trunk for unexpected messes. Even without kids, baby wipes work well for coffee spills and other dirt that happens along the way.
   8. MyCharge External Battery – I always travel with an external battery. By having one charging in my car, I can easily grab it and toss it in my purse if I’m going to be out and about for a while. 
   9. Reusable Tote – Does anybody else always get to the checkout line and then realize that the reusable totes are still at home? I’ve been working on the habit of keeping some totes in my car so I only have to remember to bring them into the store.
   10. DC USB Outlet – Sometimes you want to charge while driving, so a high current car charger is important. This can also be used to charge the external battery if needed. Make sure to get one which can charge faster, otherwise you might not actually be charging it but rather just keeping up with your phone draining.

 

If you spend much time in your car, I recommend picking up these items and keeping them in there. Some of them are simply for convenience, and others are items that can truly be lifesavers. What items would you add to this list?