5 Creative Ways for Getting Sand Off Your Feet After the Beach
Posted by Jody on September 4, 2013
Today’s Featured Guest Writer is Emma Roberts.
Going to the beach is awesome; getting sand in your house and car, not so much. It’s funny how a great afternoon playing in the sand and running in the waves can be dampened when you realize how much of a mess you’ve made tracking all that sand back inside with you. It almost looks like you tried to bring the beach home. Fortunately, there are a few ways to prevent your car and house from looking like a hurricane hit them by getting the sand off your feet after you leave the beach. Some are inventive, some are obvious classics, but they’re all worth incorporating into your next beach day.

Instant Sandy Feet: Just Add Water!
Baby powder
Seriously. Toss a bottle of baby powder into your beach bag and get ready to have your life changed. When you leave the beach, apply a nice heap of powder to your feet and rub it in. This absorbs the moisture that’s causing the sand to stick to your feet, and you’ll be able to brush off the excess and walk away. Plus, now your feet smell nice and clean.
Portable water supply
One of the best ways to wash sand off your feet is to use, well, water. A lot of beaches have shower-type stalls where the sand meets the parking lot and you can spray down your legs and feet and knock off the worst of the dirt. Sometimes, though, that’s not enough. (And sometimes you’ll still have to cross some sand to get to your car, in which case, you’re back to square one.) The solution? Pack a small plastic tub and a big bottle of water before you go, then use them when you’re standing next to your car. It doesn’t take much; just enough for you to submerge your feet and rinse them down. Then you can towel off, dump the water and be on your way.
Welcome mats
This one’s so obvious that most people overlook it. Take a welcome mat with you — or buy one for the occasion that you can leave in the car — and set it down next to your vehicle before you get in. Use a towel to knock off the bigger chunks, then wipe your feet on the welcome mat to clear out the rest of the sand.

Sandy Feet at Carmel by the Sea
Dry sand
Dry sand can actually adhere to the wetter sand on your feet and help to remove it. It’s a little like how lint sticks to itself, so a ball of lint can help you clean the lint trap in your dryer. When you’re ready to leave, scoop up some dry sand and rub it along your feet and legs, making sure to rub it into the wet sand that’s stuck to you. The dry sand can help slough off the wet stuff, making it easier to just dust off your feet with a towel before you go.
Specialty products
Staying sand-free is such a problem that there are a growing number of specialty products available to help you clean up after a day at the beach. For example, Sand-Off uses a special mitt that comes with a powder built right in, so all you have to do is apply the mitt to the sandy part of your body, let the powder squeeze out and wipe away the sticky sand. It’s good for multiple uses, and it’s a small enough product that you can toss it in your beach bag and forget about it until you need it.
Keeping excess sand out of your car and house can feel like an endless battle during beach season, and there’s always the chance that you or your kids will track some home no matter what you do. However, with the right preparation, you can go home clean and happy and leave the beach behind.
About the Author: Emma Roberts, a frequent contributor for SummerNanny.com. Read her contributed article 20 Blogs With Crafty Ways of Using Beach Sand. She can be contacted at her email: robertse055@gmail.com.
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Our Life In 3D said
Great information! Baby powder, huh?
Jody said
Thanks! Who knew? 🙂
Enchanted Seashells, Confessions of a Tugboat Captain's Wife said
Love this! We bring water but I keep forgetting baby powder, I’ll keep some in the car now for sure.
Jody said
Isn’t it funny? I never really thought about sandy feet “solutions!” I just know that if I have them… I’ve had a really good day!
kiwiskan said
Some great hints. Our car is constantly sandy!
Jody said
Me too! But when we head to the beach these days it’s usually in a rental car! 😉
Southern Sea Muse said
Excellent tips – thank you! Baby powder is my favorite.
Jody said
It’s amazing how many people knew this handy trick! I learn something new every day! 🙂
Browsing the Atlas said
I’ll have to give the baby powder trick a try. I hate sandy feet and shoes. This oughta help.
Jody said
Me too! ~Especially when it sticks between my toes.
tgeriatrix said
For me the solution is the rice beach of Sardinia… On other beaches – well, it is just the way it is! I will try the baby powder next time, this sounds really perfect!
Jody said
Wonderful! I’m sure it’ll work. I love this tip!
Jody said
Emma, Thanks so much for these wonderful tips! Here’s wishing you many, many wonderful days of sandy feet! 🙂
underatopazsky said
Fantastic! I usually use the dry sand method but the baby powder one sounds even better.
Jody said
🙂 I like that one too!