The beach is the last place you want to think about green cleaning – or is it? There are increasing reports of children coming down with stomach flu-like symptoms after playing in the sand at the beach. Most parents tend to blame these problems on food the children ate or too much sun. But a major cause can be E. coli bacteria and viruses found in the sand. Experts say you should make sure your children are washing their hands frequently while playing at the beach. This is excellent advice, except finding a sink with soap and water in the middle of a hot sandy beach isn’t exactly easy. Instead, make your own all-natural hand wipes to take with you. Here is what you will need to make your own “natural handiwipes”

You will need:

• white vinegar
• water
• tea tree oil
• 1 roll of paper towels
• a water tight container large enough to hold a roll of paper towels

Start with one cup of white vinegar and add 8 drops of tea tree oil directly to the vinegar and stir. Adding the essential oil to the vinegar will remove the “vinegary” smell from mixture. Add one cup of water and place the mixture in the bottom of the container. Place the paper towels in the container and close the container so it is airtight. By the time you get to the beach, the roll of paper towels will be saturated with the disinfecting solution.

Make sure you children wipe their hands frequently while playing in the sand Especially before and after eating anything. This recipe is a natural hand cleaner that is safe to use with your children. A beautiful day at the beach doesn’t have to end up with a stomach ache on the way home.