To quote Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode II, “I don’t like sand. It’s coarse and rough and irritating, and it gets everywhere.” While Anakin lived a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, this anti-sand sentiment remains popular today, especially among those who have to deal with cleaning it out of their…
Going to the beach should be a relaxing experience — not one that leaves you on your hands and knees painstakingly vacuuming every last crevice in your car. Well, fret no longer, because we found a trick to help you keep your car and home sand-free this summer.
Baby Powder — Not Just for Babies
This helpful hack comes to us from TikTok creator @daniellehouston_, who uses it to get sand off of her children at the end of a long day at the beach. But it applies to every beachgoer, from tots to teens to adults. All you need is a clean crew sock and a bottle of baby powder, and you’re good to go.
Open the bottle of baby powder and remove the sifter cap. Then, roll the sock over the spout. Turn the bottle upside down and pour a generous amount of baby powder into the sock — it doesn’t need to be precise, but it should fill the foot of the sock. Next, take the sock off the bottle and tie the open end of the sock around itself (or use a hair elastic) to keep the baby powder from spilling out.
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Before heading to your car or walking back to your home or hotel room after a day at the beach, gently pat the baby powder-filled sock on any sandy limbs or even a sandy and wet bathing suit. The sock will release a small, even amount of baby powder, which will remove moisture from your skin or clothing. Without moisture, the sand loses its stickiness, making it easier to remove from yourself or your children. After dabbing the sand and letting it dry for a few seconds, use the sock to wipe it off.
We suggest doing this trick once while you’re still at the beach and again before hopping into your car or walking through the front door. If you store the sock in a zipper-top bag, you can reuse it throughout your beach day. The more thorough you are, the less sand you’ll track in and be forced to clean up later. If you notice any additional baby powder residue, simply wipe it off with a clean towel.
No Sock Necessary
While a sock helps contain the baby powder and limit the mess, it’s not entirely necessary. Baby powder works just fine on its own when it comes to drying out and removing sandy residue — just use your hands to wipe the sand away. Keep a bottle in your car’s glove compartment or your beach bag so you always have it handy.
