6 Reusable and Homemade Products that will help you through the Coronavirus Outbreak

Does anyone else feel like they’re living in a movie right now? Round the clock news developments, international travel bans and empty shelves at the supermarket. Coronavirus is causing some of the craziest situations we’ve seen in a lifetime. 

Amongst the most worrying things is the fact that basic household products are no longer easy to get hold of. Non-perishable foods are running out quickly, and #loorollgate has people panic buying toilet paper. Even common baby products like disposable nappies and formula are hard to get hold of. While I can’t solve these problems, there are some switches that could become super valuable during these times. When you’ve run out of necessary items, you might consider switching to reusable or homemade alternatives. Here are 6 swaps that could come in handy during these uncertain times.

1. Reusable wipes

Reusable wipes can be used for all sorts of things - surfaces, faces, hands, bottoms! They’re such an easy switch. And if you’re running out of toilet paper these are a great back up. You may like to have different kinds for skin and household cleaning.

Simply wet with water before use, or if you’d like them to be antibacterial, spray a little rubbing alcohol or vodka onto the wipe before use. Store them in a wet bag or bucket until you get to wash day. Make sure you’re replacing them regularly and washing at 60 to kill the virus between uses.

My favourites are these by Close or these by Baba and Boo. You can also make your own by cutting up old towels or sheets.

2. Homemade cleaning products

If you’re concerned about running out of cleaning products, you can make most of them from scratch from just a few ingredients:

• White vinegar: I like to buy a large bottle of this from bargain or wholesale stores like Costco or B&M. 

• Castile soap: Again, I buy a large container in one go, usually from The Soapery.

• Bicarbonate of soda (sodium bicarbonate): You can buy large boxes of this online.

Here are the recipes I use. I have a stash of reusable spray bottles for each type of cleaner.

All-Purpose Cleaner

1 tablespoon of castile soap to 500ml water.

Optional: 4-6 drops essential oil

Glass Cleaner

1 part water

1 part vinegar

Don’t worry about the smell, it will go quickly!

Degreaser

1 part vinegar

1 part castile soap

This one needs to be left to work for 5 minutes before wiping away.

Stain Remover

Bicarbonate of soda 

Sprinkle a little on a damp cloth and rub away the stain. Always test on an inconspicuous area first.

3. Handkerchiefs

You can follow my tutorial for handkerchiefs here. You can even repurpose an old sheet into handkerchiefs using this method. (And it will keep you busy if you’re self-isolating!)

One thing with handkerchiefs is that it’s super important to be hygienic with them. They should only be used once before washing, so you’ll need to have a large stash and be diligent with replacing them straight away. Washing them at 60 degrees will ensure that the virus is killed and your handkerchiefs are safe to use again.

it’s super important to be hygienic with handkerchiefs

4. Reusable sanitary products

The availability of reusable sanitary products has grown massively in the last few years, and there are now so many different styles of reusable sanitary pads and menstrual cups out there.

My favourite sanitary pads are by Bare & Boho. They are slim, soft and super absorbent. And they’re so pretty! There are 4 different sizes - ultra heavy through to light.

Alternatively, you can try a menstrual cup. There is a somewhat overwhelming range to choose from, but the wonderful ladies at Put a Cup In It have a quiz (based on feedback from hundreds of women!) that recommends the perfect cup for you. 

5. Reusable nappies

You guys know I’m a huge fan of cloth nappies, and if you’ve been waiting to take the plunge, now could be the time to switch! Ideally, it’s best to get in touch with your local nappy library to ask for advice on which nappies are best for your personal circumstances, but if you need to dive straight in, go for something easy to use and affordable like the Baba + Boo One Size Nappy.

If you’re really stuck, you can use muslins or towels as nappies - I have a post all about that here. It’s not as hard as you think!

You can find out how to wash your nappies here. And on the subject of washing...

6. Homemade laundry soap

While the risk of washing detergent running out is slim, it’s nice to have a back-up on hand, especially if you’ve switched to lots of the reusable items suggested in this post! The following recipe was shared by the lovely Claire on Instagram, and is a great option to have in your back pocket in case of emergency. 

You will need:

1 cup Liquid Castile soap
2 cups cooled boiled water
1/3 cup Sea or Himalayan salt
1 cup bicarbonate of soda
10 drops essential oil

In a mixing bowl combine all of the ingredients until dissolved. Decant the mixture into your detergent container. When you come to use it, shake well before use. You’ll need 1/4 cup per load.

I have an ongoing partnership with some of the brands mentioned in this post. This post also contains affiliate links, which earn me a little bit of commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Thank you!