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More than likely, many stores are either sold out of essentials, overcrowded or possibly closed. Amazon is on back order of items like toilet tissue, hand sanitizer, cleaning products and disinfectant spray. With supply and demand for items such as these at an all-time high, stocking up on those must-have items during COVID-19 seems like a complete bust.
Fortunately, the majority of us have taken the liberty to stock up on a few other home essentials. In a day and age where we can't afford to wait, it leads us to the only option there is — do it yourself. It may seem like a hassle to some but in the grand scheme of things, when you don't have any other choice, you've got to do what you can.
Here are a few house essentials we all need but may not be able to readily get our hands on at the moment. You can make these items in the comfort of your home with some of the things you may already have sitting around in your pantry.
1. Hand Sanitizer
One of the most sought after items outside of toilet paper is certainly the rise and need for hand sanitizer. With it being sold out almost everywhere, you can imagine it leaves you with little options on how to stay sanitary during a crisis.
You only need a few items:
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An empty jar (or any container, old sanitizer bottle)
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Aloe Vera (The gel or actual leaves work. You can find it at Home Depot, Trader Joes or Lowes)
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Alcohol (isopropyl/rubbing), distilled gin or vodka
Use a 2:1 ratio of Alcohol to Aloe Vera to maintain a higher alcohol level to help kill off germs. Mix this together in a bowl, then pour into a container of choice.
2. Alkaline Water
Water is completely gone off of the shelves in the many grocery stores, unless you have a membership to Sam's Club or Costco and have the time to wait in line for possible hours on end. We all have a faucet at home and in the event you can't find any water while on lock down, don't be afraid to make your own concoction with tap water.
These are the items you'll need to create your own alkaline water at home:
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Full Pitcher with pre-boiled water (Boiling water helps kill off the metals inside tap water.)
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One wedge of lemon or lime, cut into quarters
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One tablespoon of pink himalayan salt (found at most grocery stores)
Once you have your pitcher filled with pre-boiled water, add your lemon or lime quarters (unsqueezed ) to the water. Put one tablespoon full of pink himalayan salt in. Cover with a top and let sit overnight at room temperature.
3. Disinfectant Spray
Lysol is another popular item that's flying off the shelves. In the event you can't get to the store in time when you run out (or you just can't find any), you may have just what you need in your kitchen cabinet to stay germ-free.
You will need the following:
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A spray bottle
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Distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar
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One cut wedge of lemon
Use a 1:1 ratio of distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar with water. Add squeezed lemon to the solution and let it sit in a bottle for five minutes. This is great for killing the germs on countertops, sinks, door handles and all hard surfaces.
4. Cleaning Wipes
Wipes are great for cleaning up small mishaps. Unfortunately, they aren't easy to come by these days. But materials may be right in arms to make your own.
You will need:
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One roll of thick paper towels
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A half cup of vinegar
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One cup of water
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A half cup of alcohol (isopropyl/rubbing) or gin/vodka
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Squeezed lemon wedge or essential oil of choice for smell (nine drops)
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A large container or large zip lock bags
Cut the paper towels in half with a sharp knife. Whisk the mixture of ingredients together in the order listed above. Place the halved paper towels in a container where you can saturate it and pour mixture of liquid onto the paper towels. Let it sit for about 10 minutes. Empty the remainder of liquid in the drain and secure the paper towels in a container with a lid or a large sealable zip lock bag.
