Don't waste time at the gas station vacuuming your car with this inexpensive gadget that keeps it spotless.

If every time you stop at the gas station you're torn between waiting in line for the vacuum cleaner or assuming "it doesn't look that good anyway," you might need a backup plan . Handheld car vacuums have evolved from noisy contraptions to quite effective tools: lightweight, compact, and with enough battery life for quick cleaning between errands.

Plus, having one on hand eliminates logistical hassles: you're not tied to schedules or loose change, and you can clean up whenever you really need to (yes, right after your little one turns a cookie into sawdust). The key is to keep it small, easy to store in the glove compartment or on the side of the trunk, and with attachments that reach the crevices where the eternal lint resides.

With that in mind, AliExpress offers a 3-in-1 handheld car vacuum cleaner with USB charging , a blowing function , and included nozzles . It's not meant to replace an annual thorough cleaning, but it does take the hassle out of daily maintenance without having to go to the gas station. And it only costs 5 euros .

Vacuum up crumbs, blow away dust, and get on with your life.

The most useful feature of this model is its dual function : vacuuming and blowing . Vacuuming takes care of floor mats, crumbs on seats, and that corner of the cup holder where something always falls. Blowing, on the other hand, allows you to remove dust from vents , keys, dashboard joints, or the handbrake guide before using the nozzle; you lift the dirt and then capture it. Two steps, better results.

USB charging is another success: you plug it into your car, a power bank , or your phone charger. No bulky bases or awkward adapters; when you park, you charge it for five minutes, and it's always ready for a quick run. Since it's compact and lightweight , it's easy to take it out for a 90-second pit stop right outside your house.

It comes with nozzles for different tasks: a narrow one for crevices, a brush for textiles and delicate surfaces, and a wider one for open areas. The ABS body withstands the hustle and bustle of the trunk and typical temperature changes in a car. And operation is straightforward: press the button, go to work; you don't need a master's degree to vacuum a carpet.

Short routines for a cleaner car

The trick to keeping your car from becoming a battlefield is to prevent it from accumulating . Two simple ideas: a quick wipe of the floor mats when you get home, and a sweep of the grooves and cup holders on fuel day. With a handheld vacuum nearby, these microtasks take as long as it takes for the elevator to arrive (and you avoid the dirt from clumping).

Another useful tip is to combine blowing and vacuuming in areas with fine dust: first, you lift the dirt from the vents and keys with the air, and then vacuum up what's surfaced. If you have a pet, a quick wipe with the brush nozzle on the seats and backrests every few days prevents the "carpet effect." It's not glamorous, but it works.

When choosing a model like this, consider three things: portability (it actually fits in the glove compartment or door slot), simple power supply (universal USB so you don't have to hunt down specific chargers), and accessories that solve your real problems: slots, fabrics, large areas. The AliExpress option meets the basics and adds a fan function, which makes a difference in interiors with lots of corners.

Of course, this doesn't replace a deep clean from time to time (polishing plastics, washing upholstery, etc.), but it does keep the car presentable between sessions. And, above all, it saves you time: you go from "I'll go to the gas station someday" to "I'll do it right now." Fewer excuses, fewer crumbs, more peace of mind.