Oh Sand-y!

 

I don't think you can think of the season of "summer" and never ever think about sand.  Beaches are made out of the stuff, your kids or your cat may have a sandbox to play in, and all those sand art crafts available in the boxed kits at Michael's....sand is everywhere.  Yes, it can be the most annoying crap on the planet but so can the Oprah Winfrey Network.

This week I've been digging around for some cool uses for sand.  I wanted to share my findings with you!

Five Sand Uses

1.  Protecting your lawn and garden tools.

Supplies:  5 gallon bucket, 50lbs of contractors sand, 1 quart of motor oil (not used). 

How to do it:  Empty your sand into the bucket, pour the motor oil in, and stash your tools in (pruners, clippers, etc).  The oil will keep them greased, the sand will prevent rusting.  And no one will steal your stuff (its too heavy to run with).

If you don't want to use the motor oil that is fine.  The sand alone will prevent rusting.

2.  Traction in the winter or summer.

When you buy a bag for your kids also buy a couple bags to keep in your car.  They could be used in icey conditions to help you gain traction.  If you're roughing it this summer in a vehicle that doesn't have 4WD you can use the sand to help get "unstuck" --- I could have used this trick about 13 years ago when I went to a popular NC Beach spot and was stuck in a silty spot.  (We ended up using beach towels to get traction and get out.  Very thankful for the minivan driving daddy of three who came to my rescue...)

3.  Do you ever need a third hand?

Say you need to fix something that has broken but its awkward to hold.  The sand can work as a third hand if you put the heaviest part of the item into the sand and use your own hands to fix the broken piece.  Unlike dirt or gravel the sand works to manipulate the item down so you can work with ease.

4.  Beauty buffer for skin!

You've felt the way the sand scrubs against your skin when your at the beach.  Guess what? The combination of salt water and sand does miracles for sloughing off those dead cells and giving you a softer complexion.  You can use store bought sand to help you have that beach exfoliation in your own home.  A little sand, a bit of baby oil and some water....viola!  (I would do this on the back porch....I hate sand and sugar and salt in my tub....)

5.  Add a little sand to your planting.

My grandma always could grow dirt.  She could take a cutting and within a few hours she'd have a full scale tree (ok just kidding but it seemed that way).  Her secret?  Putting a little sand in the dirt.  She said it worked for anything.  All I can assume is the sand helps to lock in the water.  Cuttings need LOTS of water to establish themselves.

So get to enjoying the sand.... 

xx
Brownie