Why Should We Prefer a Salt Pool Instead of a Sand Pool?

When planning flooring for a nursery, kindergarten, or children's playground, a sandbox has been one of the first options that comes to mind for years. For children, digging, shoveling, filling containers, and making shapes with sand is a familiar experience in terms of play.

In recent years, however, we have been encountering a different question more and more frequently in the requests we receive:

“Can we remove the sand in our existing sandbox and replace it with salt?”

Short answer: Yes, this can be done with a suitable space and the right grain structure of floor salt.

However, an important distinction needs to be made here. It would not be accurate to portray sand itself as "harmful" and salt as a "miraculous and completely germ-free" material. Scientific data does not support such a generalization.

Sand play can have a place in child development. A systematic review published in 2025 shows that sand play may have positive effects on certain childhood outcomes, but that research results are generally inconsistent and that higher-quality studies are needed.

The real issue is how the sand is used, where it is located, and how it is maintained.

This is exactly where the point that makes a salt pit a valuable alternative for nurseries, kindergartens, and commercial children's play areas begins.

The Real Problem in Sandboxes is Not the Sand, but the Environment that Must Be Controlled

Outdoor or poorly protected sandboxes are open to contaminants from the environment.

Animals entering the area and leaving feces, rain and moisture, food residues, contaminants carried by children, or foreign substances that go unnoticed in the sand can increase the need for maintenance over time.

The hygiene guidelines published by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia for child care environments define sandboxes as fun and stimulating areas, but also note that they can be a potential source of infection. The guidelines recommend covering the sandbox against animal and pest entry, raking the sand every day, removing any section contaminated with feces or body fluids, and aerating the sand deeply at certain intervals.

In other words, in a professional establishment, a sandbox is not an area that can be managed simply by saying, “We put the sand in, the kids are playing.” Regular inspection is required.

Research in Turkey Shows Parasitic Contamination in Children's Playgrounds

This issue is not just a theoretical possibility.

In a study conducted in Kütahya and published in the Turkish Journal of Pediatrics, Toxocara canis larvae were detected in 3 out of 30 sand samples taken from different playgrounds, i.e., in 10%. In the same study, T. canis antibodies were found to be positive in 9 of the 119 children examined. Although the study alone does not prove that these children contracted the infection directly from the sandbox, it draws attention to the fact that play areas need to be checked.

In another study conducted in Karaman, at least one zoonotic parasite species was detected in 11 of the 20 children's playgrounds examined. The most common species found in the collected samples was Toxocara; Toxocara eggs were found in 19.4% of the samples. The researchers recommended protecting play areas against animal entry.

The CDC also states that Toxocara infection can be transmitted by accidentally ingesting soil or material contaminated with dog or cat feces, and that children require special attention due to their play habits.

The message here is not that “every sandbox has parasites.” The message is: Sand that is open to animal access and environmental pollution can carry biological contamination if it is not maintained.

Bacterial Contamination in Sandboxes Has Also Been Investigated

A study published in 2024 examined playground sands in New York City for fecal indicator bacteria such as E. coli and enterococci.

The remarkable part of the study was the experimental comparison. While open sandboxes left in the urban environment became contaminated with fecal indicator bacteria within two weeks, no such fecal contamination was detected in the closed comparison boxes during the 33-day study period.

For this reason, the researchers identified covering sandboxes when not in use and renewing the sand more frequently as simple yet effective management measures.

This result also supports a point we tell our customers in the field: In children's play areas, the control of the environment where the material is located is as important as the flooring material selected.

Why is Covering Sandboxes Recommended?

Because, especially, open sandboxes can become attractive areas for animals.

The CDC recommends hand washing after contact with soil or sand contaminated with cat feces, and covering outdoor sandboxes, regarding Toxoplasma.

Similarly, covering unused sandboxes is specifically mentioned in the protection recommendations published by the CDC regarding the raccoon roundworm.

Therefore, if a classic sandbox is to be used in a kindergarten or nursery, the right approach is not to demonize the sand, but to establish a system of covering, cleaning, preventing animal access, and regular inspection.

Recent Playground Sand Recalls Have Shown Us Something Else

In 2025, laboratory tests resulted in the detection of tremolite and chrysotile asbestos in some colored children's playground sand products in Australia and New Zealand. According to Reuters, more than 70 schools were temporarily closed for assessment and cleanup work. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission also issued national recall notices for specific products.

There is a very important distinction here: This event does not mean that all playground sand contains asbestos.

The problem was related to specific products and specific supply chains. Official statements in the UK also specifically stated that not all general play pit sand was being recalled.

The reason we are giving this example is not to create fear. It shows that the material to be used in a children's play area should not be chosen solely based on its appearance or price.

It is important to use products with a known source, grain structure, and intended use.

So Why Can a Salt Pit Be an Alternative?

The idea of a salt pit is actually quite simple.

Instead of the granular floor where children play in a classic sandbox, salt selected with a grain structure suitable for a children's play area is used.

In projects that come to Tuzodasi.com, this sometimes just means changing the floor of an existing sandbox. Some nurseries and kindergartens want to set up an empty section as a salt play area from scratch.

Here, having a salt room built is not mandatory.

An independent salt pit can be created using only floor salt, without applying salt bricks to the walls, without dusting, and without creating a special room.

This simplifies the project considerably, especially for businesses that want to change their existing sandbox.

Does Salt Have a Microbiological Advantage?

It has long been known that salt in high concentrations makes it difficult for many microorganisms to multiply.

Sodium chloride can reduce the amount of free water, that is, "water activity," and create osmotic stress on microorganisms. This property is one of the main reasons why salt has been used in food preservation for centuries.

However, this information should not be misused.

Salt is not sterile.

Scientific publications show that some microorganisms can survive in salty environments and that there are even microorganisms that have adapted to high salinity. Therefore, expressions such as “a salt pit is 100% antibacterial,” “it does not harbor germs,” or “there is no need to disinfect” are scientifically too ambitious.

Our reason for choosing a salt pit is not to promise a sterile environment, but to be able to create a more controlled play surface.

What is the Practical Difference Between a Sandbox and a Salt Pit?

What is important here is not to view any material as a "maintenance-free" floor. In a salt pit, toys, foreign substances, food residues, and the general cleanliness of the area should also be checked regularly.

Why is the Grain Structure of the Salt Floor Important?

One of the most common questions we get from our customers is this:

“Will it prick the children's feet?”

Another customer asks:

“Will a very fine salt like dust be sent?”

Actually, one of the critical points in choosing floor material is here.

We do not want the product we use for a children's play area floor to be excessively fine and easily mixed into the air, or to be unnecessarily coarse and uncomfortable.

For this reason, at Tuzodasi.com, we care about the grain structure suitable for the intended use in floor and base applications.

The dusting salt to be applied to the wall and the salt pit floor salt that children will play on are not chosen for the same intended use.

Is a Salt Pit Good for a Child's Asthma or Allergies?

We want to be especially clear at this point.

A salt pit is not a medical treatment.

Spreading salt on the floor or having salt bricks in the room does not mean in itself that asthma, bronchitis, allergies, eczema, or any other disease is being treated.

While there are some clinical studies on halotherapy, the evidence base is limited. In a controlled pilot study conducted on children, a salt room using a halogenerator was compared with a control room without a halogenerator; positive results were seen in some measurements, but the researchers clearly stated that larger and long-term studies were needed.

An older Cochrane review also reported that existing evidence was insufficient to draw reliable conclusions about the efficacy of speleotherapy in chronic asthma.

For this reason, for us, the right approach when describing a salt floor for a children's play area is to talk through the play area material, project, hygiene management, and usage experience.

Medical promises such as “healing,” “cures asthma,” or “strengthens immunity” should not be part of how we describe this product.

Does a Salt Pit Carry No Risk?

No. Such a claim would also not be true.

Children should not eat the salt used for play purposes. Therefore, adult supervision must continue, especially in areas where young children are present.

Also, salt is a material that absorbs moisture. Failing to control the ambient humidity can cause the floor to harden or clump over time.

In other words, a salt pit also requires the right product selection, a dry environment, regular inspection, and adult supervision.

When is a Salt Pit a Reasonable Choice in Nurseries and Kindergartens?

Judging by the businesses that have reached out to us in the field, the salt pit stands out particularly in two situations.

First, an institution that already has a sandbox wants to use a different granular play surface instead of sand without completely changing the existing area.

Second, a newly opened nursery, children's cafe, or play center wants to create a different concept from a classic sandbox.

In such a project, it is not necessary to cover the four walls with salt first.

For example, in an existing play pit of 10, 15, or 20 square meters, only the material on the floor can be changed.

Later, if the business wishes, it can expand the project in the form of salt floor → dusting/spraying wall → Himalayan salt brick.

In our applications, this allows us to expand the project according to the need instead of trying to sell the customer material they do not need initially.

How Do We Proceed at Tuzodasi.com?

When a customer reaches out to us saying, “I have a sandbox and want to replace it with salt,” we first ask for the dimensions of the area.

For example, stating 3 × 3 meters or 20 m² is sufficient for a start.

Then, we calculate the approximate material requirement based on the desired floor depth.

• Only flooring / salt pit: If the customer only wants the flooring, we do not include wall materials or labor for installation.
• Materials: We can provide the materials to businesses that will work with their own contractors and offer technical guidance on application.
• Materials + contractor guidance: For projects that require an applicator, we can arrange for a contractor based on the conditions.

If they also want to build the walls of the salt play area, we then take the wall measurements and evaluate the options for broadcast/spray application or Himalayan salt bricks separately.

In other words, we do not sell a one-size-fits-all “salt room package” to every customer.

We calculate based on what the area requires.

Conclusion: It’s Not As Simple As “Sand is Bad, Salt is Good”

What scientific data tells us is actually more valuable.

Sand is a material that has been used in children's play for many years and can continue to be used if managed correctly. However, in outdoor sandboxes or those with poor maintenance discipline, regular upkeep is of critical importance due to the risk of animal feces contamination, bacteria, parasites, and foreign objects. Research from Turkey and around the world shows that these risks are not merely theoretical.

A salt pit, on the other hand, offers a different option, especially for indoor daycare centers, kindergartens, children's cafes, and commercial play areas.

When floor salt with the correct grain structure, a controlled indoor environment, and regular maintenance are combined, it is possible to create a visually distinct, business-specific play area that can be used instead of a classic sandbox.

Salt also requires maintenance, salt is not sterile, and a salt play area is not a medical treatment.

A good project begins not with false claims, but with the right materials and the right application.

Would You Like to Convert Your Sandbox Into a Salt Pit?

You may not need to demolish your existing sandbox entirely.

Send us the width × length measurements or the square footage of your area. If you only want the floor salt, let us calculate the necessary amount. If you would like to include the walls in the application, we can evaluate options for spray/broadcast application or Himalayan salt bricks separately.

You can send your measurements via WhatsApp or use our contact form.

Tuzodasi.com – Çankırı Tuz Lamba İç ve Dış Ticaret Ltd. Şti.

With 17 years of industry experience, we provide material and application support for projects across Turkey regarding salt rooms, salt play areas, salt pits, and salt room materials.

Resources

1. Sand play systematic review (2025) – onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cch.70034
2. NHMRC – Staying Healthy: Healthy environment – nhmrc.gov.au
3. Toxocara canis in playground sand – Kütahya – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20560251
4. Zoonotic parasites in playgrounds – Karaman – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32212584
5. CDC – Parasites and Children – cdc.gov/parasites/children
6. Fecal indicator bacteria in playground sand (2024) – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38417319
7. CDC – Toxoplasmosis Prevention – cdc.gov/toxoplasmosis/prevention
8. CDC – Baylisascaris Prevention – cdc.gov/baylisascaris/prevention
9. Reuters – asbestos contamination in play sand (2025) – reuters.com
10. UK Government – statement on asbestos in consumer products – gov.uk
11. Sodium chloride and microbial growth – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20301012
12. Microorganisms adapted to high salinity – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29050664
13. Pediatric halotherapy pilot study – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27723955
14. Cochrane review – speleotherapy for asthma – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10796665