8 life-changing essentials for your car
Lifestyle expert Anna De Souza shares the life-changing essentials she always keeps in her car. Whether you’re running essential errands, picking up takeout or just going for a drive on date night, these eight products will keep you safe and make life a whole lot easier. From cool tech gadgets like a portable espresso maker, a self-cleaning water bottle and a touchless smart thermometer to tried-and-true favorites like a multi-pocket fanny pack and eco-friendly, reusable silicone snack bags, these picks are sure to change your life for the better. Plus, watch the video above to see the one product that Anna says she’ll, “never, ever live without again.”
Video Transcript
ANNA DE SOUZA: Many of us are relying on cars now more than ever. Whether we're running an essential errand, grabbing some takeout, or just going out for a drive, it's critical to outfit your ride with some important new essentials.
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To stay hydrated while you're on the go, you're definitely going to need a great water bottle. This one here uses UVC LED lights to purify water and clean the inner surface of the bottle to eliminate odor, bacteria, and viruses. One charge lasts up to one whole month, and you can easily recharge it in the car so you'll never go without super clean water again.
We all want to minimize stops, but the caffeine needs to keep on flowing, am I right? Just bring a carafe with hot water, add in some grinds. And in just 10 to 20 pumps, you're going to have creamy espresso, or "cafezinho" as we say in Brazil.
I have to be honest, with twin babies and a bottomless pit of a belly myself, it is critical to bring snacks wherever we go. And these zip-top silicone bags have a really great tight seal. They wash really, really well, and they're also really great for the environment compared to those traditional plastic Ziploc bags that are single use.
Working and eating from the driver's seat has definitely become a new norm for a lot of us. I'm loving this steering wheel desk that can be mounted in just a few seconds. One side is flat for writing or propping up your laptop, and the other side has a cup holder to help keep things neat and secure. But remember, safety first. You should only use this when the car is in park.
For all those times you have to venture out of your car, store your essentials in a stylish fanny pack. This one here is great because it has two large zipper compartments for your cell phone, your wallet. You can clip your key or water bottle right on the side here. And the two outside pockets are really great for hand sanitizer, a bathroom kit, a mask or two, even a pair of gloves.
Sometimes unplanned stops just can't be avoided. CleanKey is a super handy tool to have on hand so that you can eliminate direct contact with high-touch surfaces like doors, elevator buttons. And it even works on touchscreens like ATMs and store checkouts. It's made of copper alloy, a natural anti-microbial, and you can dangle it right off your keychain.
Keep an eye on your temperature and that of your colleagues and family with a no-touch infrared thermometer. As seats in schools reopen, this will come in handier than ever. I love this one in particular because it has an alarm that sounds for temperatures over 100 degrees, and it stores the last 32 readings right on the device.
OK, guys, this product is my number one essential. I can't tell you how many times this thing has saved me. This power inverter is going to give you a standard plug in your car. I can recharge my laptop. I've fired up my straightening iron on those rainy days. I even use it to pump. I won't ever go without this thing ever again. That's a wrap, guys. Let me know your number one essential in the comments below.
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