It’s no secret that a trip to the grocery store now is like heading out during the apocalypse. Lines are long, everything is being hoarded, it if it isn’t – it’s likely out of stock. Maybe you didn’t jump on board the panic buying train, and that’s perfectly okay. Here are some alternatives you can make using common household items.
Alcohol
Okay, not the drinking kind (we’re sure you haven’t forgotten to stock up on that). We mean isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol.
If you happen to have run out of disinfectant wipes or cleaner, a mixture of equal amounts rubbing alcohol and water will do the trick! This mixture can even substitute glass cleaner.
If your alcohol is 99%, you can even mix it with aloe vera gel to make hand sanitizer.
Baking soda
It’s no wonder this powerful little product made the list, it does just about everything! And just for baking purposes as the name would suggest.
Soaking your fruits and veggies in two cups of water mixed with 1 teaspoon of baking soda will not only remove unwanted pesticides but will help remove surface germs as well.
Other common toiletries and household items baking soda can replace are deodorant, mouthwash, and can even treat stains and heartburn.
Vinegar
The best way to use vinegar is on bacteria-rich surfaces such as computers, phones, kitchen surfaces, and toilets.
To make this solution, you should mix equal parts of vinegar and warm water. To clean the keyboard of your computer, use a cotton swab to get into those hard to reach places. And do not forget your computer mouse as well!
And if you are worried about vinegar smell, it usually dissipates within an hour.
Olive oil
We all know coconut oil has many uses from teeth whitening to skin care, but let’s not forget about good old olive oil! Olive has proven cardiovascular health benefits on top of it’s many other uses.
If self-isolation has gotten you a bit down, treat yourself to a spa day by using olive oil as a hair treatment, skin moisturizer, and even to help cracked heels (because we know how much you probably miss your nail technician).
Lemons and limes
Of course, there’s the famous lemon half dipped in sea salt to use as a natural scrubbing agent, but what other ways can you use citric acid?
Just to list a few of its uses:
- Lime mixed with baking soda is a natural deodorizer
- Preservative for foods
- Mix with dish liquid for extra grease fighting power
- Add lemon juice to shampoo to help rid of dandruff
