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How to Clean a Child's Sandbox

Children can spend hours at a time playing in the sandbox. Maintaining a clean sandbox is essential to the health and safety of your child. While sandboxes can bring hours of enjoyment to your child, they also can be a source of contamination and pests if not properly kept and cared for. Do a quick cleaning of your child's sandbox after every use as general maintenance and a more thorough cleaning every couple of months.

Things You'll Need

Shovel
Sandbox cover or plastic tarp
Sanitizing cleaner
Dish soap
Sponge
Water hose
Plastic lining or landscape fabric

Instructions

- 1
  Empty the sandbox sand onto the plastic tarp with the shovel. Inspect the sand for insects or anything else that may look questionable. If the sand is infested, throw it away, if not, spread it out and hose it down with the water hose.
- 2
  Rinse out the inside of your sandbox with the water hose. Wash the inside of the sandbox with the all-purpose cleaner. Rinse and then rewash with the dish soap. Rinse again. If your sandbox is bottomless, skip this step.
- 3
  Line the bottom of your bottomless sandbox with the plastic liner or landscaping fabric. If you are using a plastic liner, be sure to poke a few holes in the bottom for drainage. If your sandbox has a bottom, skip this step.
- 4
  Put the washed sand back into the sandbox. If your sand was infested and you had to throw it out, purchase new play sand.
- 5
  Cover your sandbox with the plastic tarp or the cover that came with the sandbox. Make sure the cover is securely on the sandbox to keep out insects, birds and cats.

Backyard Toys