It seems like an inevitable part of summer — at some point, sand will get tracked inside. Then it will find its gritty way absolutely everywhere. When a friend recently shared her aunt's secret for getting sand off everyone before they come inside, I knew I had to try it for myself.
Her aunt's trick is to make pouches out of flannel, fill them with cornstarch, and use them to wipe down sandy legs and hands. She keeps one in her car for beach trips and another by her backdoor for trips to the park and sandbox.
Since I remembered the tip right before my friends came in from the beach, I improvised quickly, cutting out the pockets of an old, stained work shirt, filling them with cornstarch, and rebuttoning. They worked perfectly and the sand brushed right off.
If you only have a piece of fabric, rather than a pocket, don't worry — it's a quick sewing job. Just cut out a square of flannel, sew up the sides, twist the top and tie it off with some ribbon so you can refill later. It works best if you use a single layer of flannel, so the cornstarch can come through easily. Of course, craftier people can also make refillable drawstring pouches like this one from Skip to My Lou.
Either way, it's a lot better than hauling out the broom or vacuum after every beach trip.
Images: Kathleen Luttschyn
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So what does the corn starch have to do with it?
the corn starch creates a slippy surface that causes the sand to come right off. Talcum does the same.
my mom used to use a whisk broom on our legs. She didnt get how much better (and less painful) a towel wouldve been!
we keep a 4" unused paintbrush in each car. They work well, but now we'll keep a small container of cornstarch and dip in there first!
I always have Gold Bond powder in my beach bag ... the kids get naked and powdered before we leave, and my husband & I do legs, feet and arms! Always works!!!
I always used talc powder. But I like the pouch idea. Ill have to try it.
We use powder too--but the pouch addition is genius. Totally making one of these asap!
I have come to accept (and now actally enjoy) two things in my life.
1. Waiting for an appointment. I have no control over this time and am forced to relax and read a book or something.
2. Sand in my belongings. A reminder that I got to go to the beach!
My little girl has a thing about sand in her shoes too so we've taken to vacuuming them after a trip to the beach. She puts the nozzle right into the toe of the shoe and like magic - it's gone!
@thorndale: have beach shoes and not-beach shoes. Beach shoes will be sandy. Beach shoes should be sandy. The rightness of sandy beach shoes is undeniable.
Or a good whack-and-vacuum (the shoe version of slap and tickle).