Whether you’ve just arrived on the Outer Banks or have been here for quite some time, the one thing you’ll discover – we have sand. And lots of it. But that is part of the fun of the Outer Banks – our beaches!!
But sand can be quite unpleasant when it’s brought into the house – it can even seem to be a never ending battle to keep it on the beaches and out of your kitchen. While you may never be able to eliminate every grain of sand, there are ways to keep it at bay ….
Take your shoes off! This will become your mantra if you have kids running around outside. It is amazing how much sand is tracked in from the bottom of our shoes. Mats right inside and outside the doors help, especially if they’re bristly type of mat. These seem to trap the sand better. Be sure to shake mats and rugs often so the sand doesn’t build up.
Don’t carpet. The Outer Banks is much different than many areas of the United States where carpet is king. Here smooth floors are better with area rugs – sand doesn’t have a chance to get trapped on smooth floors like it does on carpet.
Hose off. A spray garden hose right outside the door or better yet – an outside shower – eliminates sand being brought in after a fun day at the beach. Or, a portable camping shower also works well – these are generally around $100 and a pop up privacy tent is about the same price. Quite the bargain to keep from walking on sand in the house.
Many homes around the Outer Banks already have outdoor showers. This is a great place to get rid of the sand and leave sandy clothes and things outside to be shook out later. It’s nice to have lots of hooks for towels and swim suites.
Mesh bags. Enclosed bags made of cloth and vinyl allows sand to sink to the bottom – generally it’s wet sand. A mesh bag allows the sand to sift through.
Cornstarch Pouches. Have an old flannel shirt? Put cornstarch in a flannel pouch (made from the pockets – go figure) and wipe the sand away! Easy!
Have pets? Good luck. Do you have any ways to make them sand-free?
Having a problem of sand on the Outer Banks is still better than not having a problem with sand in other places. If you’re looking for a great home on the Outer Banks, give me a call – I can help you find a home on or off the sand.
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