The beach is where we celebrate.
The big things - like the Fourth of July. The little things - like everyone finally remembering their own towel. And all the in-between moments: grilled corn that tastes like summer, wet feet dancing on a hot blanket, watermelon juice running down kids’ chins.
That’s how it was last weekend. Our version of a beach holiday: family, food, a cooler that somehow fit everything, and our favorite flag fluttering over the sand - held firmly in place, as always, by the Handy Anchor. No tipping, no leaning, no digging. Just a little red, white, and blue waving overhead while we passed around chips and pineapple skewers.
But if I’m honest… I used to dread what came after.
The sand.
Everywhere. In the car. In the kids’ hair. In the folds of our bags and clothes and snacks and souls. It didn’t matter how carefully we packed - it always came home with us.
That’s why I started looking for better ways to handle it. And not the over-complicated Pinterest ways that require bringing a portable shower or a full-sized broom. Just the small things that make a big difference - especially when your hands are already full.
Here are my go-to tips for a sand-free (or at least less sandy) beach day - plus a couple clever extras we’ve picked up from fellow Handy families:
🌽 Cornstarch is magic
Just rub it on feet, legs, or anywhere sand sticks — and brush it off. It works like baby powder, but it’s talc-free and safer for sensitive skin. We keep a small travel bottle in the beach bag now, and it’s saved more car seats than I can count.
🖌 Bring a soft brush
Old makeup brushes are perfect. They get sand out from between toes, chair hinges, and anywhere your hands can’t quite reach. And unlike wipes, they don’t smear the sand — they actually remove it.
🧦 Use a mesh laundry bag
This one’s underrated. Toss shoes, wet towels, or your blanket into a mesh bag at the end of the day. Give it a good shake before you leave, and most of the sand stays behind. It’s breathable, light, and folds flat in your beach tote.
💦 Leave a water bottle in the car
We always stash a spare bottle in the trunk for a final rinse before buckling up. Just enough to wash hands and feet. It makes the ride home feel way more civilized.
✨ Bonus tips we love (and actually use):
1. Use your cooler lid as a clean foot platform
After rinsing your feet, stand on the cooler lid while drying off and putting on shoes. It keeps you off the sand and gives you a clean, flat surface. Total game changer.
2. Keep a small paintbrush in the glove box
Perfect for dusting off dashboard vents, gear shifts, and cup holders. Sand somehow migrates everywhere — this little brush keeps the car feeling sane.
Of course, we also build products with this in mind — like our Handy Beach Blanket, which repels sand with a quick shake, and stays soft and cozy no matter how many beach days it sees. And our Handy Anchor? It doesn’t just keep your umbrella up — it’s how we fly our flag on the Fourth, every single year.
Because for us, the beach isn’t just a place to unwind. It’s where memories happen. And the fewer messes we bring home, the more we get to enjoy the moments while we’re there.
So whether you’re packing up for a holiday weekend or just sneaking in a beach break between errands — I hope these little tips help make your day smoother, cleaner, and full of all the good stuff.
Agnes from Handy Beach Goods
