Find out how to keep the beach out of your home with these simple, practical tips. No more unpleasant sensations of sand in your shoes, towels or hair!
The science behind sand adhesion
The beach, the sun and the dreaded sand. For many people, cumbersome sand is the main reason for preferring the mountains to the beach. Even those who love the coast admit that it's almost impossible to escape the sand that ends up in shoes, towels, bags or hair. Fortunately, there are a few tricks we can use to prevent even the smallest grain of sand from entering our car or home.
Playa, soil and scary sand. For many people, bulky sand is the main reason for preferring the mountains to the beach. And even those who love the coast admit that it's almost impossible to escape the sand that ends up in shoes, towels, bags or hair. Fortunately, there are a few tricks we can use to prevent even the smallest grain of sand from entering our car or home. According to an article in Popular Sciencesand is hydrophilic, which means it attracts water. Given its proximity to the planet's largest source of water, beach air is charged with moisture, helping sand to adhere.
The water forms small bridges between the grains and creates what is known as surface tension – a property of a liquid surface that manifests itself by acting like a taut elastic membrane. It acts as a rubber band between the grains.
But sand doesn't just moisten by being in an environment with water, it also does so with the perspiration of bathers. Sunscreen also helps to stick grains of sand together. So it's best to keep your personal items as dry as possible, otherwise sand will inevitably stick to them.
Simple tips to prevent sand from following you everywhere
Use beach showers
The best way to reduce the amount of sand that sticks to your body is to take a shower before leaving the beach. Many beaches have public showers accessible to bathers. Wash your feet and body, dry off quickly and put on your shoes so you don't pick up any more sand.
If you're in a rocky creek or lake, rinsing your body with clear water is also useful to remove any possible contaminants. It will also prevent skin irritation.
But if water is the reason sand sticks in the first place, why is adding water effective? The explanation is that too much water breaks the bridge or elastic band that has formed, causing the sand to separate and move freely.
Apply baby powder talcum powder
Baby powder is more hydrophilic than sand. It will therefore absorb the moisture that causes sand to adhere to our skin. The sand will dry and come off more easily. When you apply it, you'll notice that, as if by magic, it dries almost completely. To remove it, you can use a brush, a clean towel, a cloth or even a paintbrush.
To make the most of this tip, you can apply talcum powder to your hands before eating to avoid biting into the crunchy grains of sand.
Use fabric softener on your beach towels
There's no such thing as a waterproof towel. But you can reduce the amount of sand that sticks to towels by using fabric softener. This product is hydrophobic, so it repels water. In the same way, it also prevents wet sand.
It's important to note that fabric softener works as a preventive measure. Then, when washing after enjoying the sun and the beach, it's best not to use this product, as it creates a small film on clothes. Only detergent will effectively remove sand.
Choose sand- and water-resistant footwear
The worst shoes you can wear at the beach are sneakers. This goes without saying. Since they have many creases and are sensitive to water and moisture, they fill up more easily with sand.
On the other hand, open shoes such as flip-flops, sandals and slippers are perfect for the beach. They allow sand to return to the ground rather than sticking to your feet. What's more, you can wash them at the same time as you shower to get rid of the sand that has stuck to your skin.
Avoid metal beverage containers
The cooler is a classic for beach days. But if you take out a can of soda, mineral water or beer on a hot day, it's likely to get filled with sand from the dew water that forms around the drink container. If you want to avoid this, you can use plastic cups or cover containers with a foam cover.
