As people continue to stock up, it has become harder to find certain items. But I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve: an easy way to limit toilet paper use, trick to double your gallon of milk, DIY sanitizer …
I’ve been coming up with ways to make what we have last longer and I would love to hear your ideas in the comments too! In the long run, I pray this time will teach us to have less waste and treat our planet better.
Does your mood seem shift day to day? Mine does! One day I’m laughing at all the hysterical memes people are coming up with and how unprepared I was for homeschooling (see my ridiculous Instagram stories). The next day I feel concerned for those in need, the elderly, the sick, the lonely, the fearful, the global economy.
My solution is to laugh when I can because it’s good for the soul and my kids, to pray when I feel worry or concern and to keep my heart open and ready for whatever God will ask me to do in the coming months. He is in control. He never changes. He is a God of love and mercy. How many invaluable lessons will he teach each of us during these uncertain times? What’s one good thing that has come out of this time for you? Please leave a comment and tell me!
On an environmental level, BBC reports say that after 10 days of Italian quarantine the murky water in Venice canals cleared, fish were visible and other articles showed pictures of swans appearing. Carbon monoxide was down by an estimated 50 percent in New York City.
On a humanity level, people are reaching out to each other, calling or texting people they haven’t in a long time. Families are spending time together playing board games, building forts and taking walks. Books are being read, homes are being nested, nature is once again admired.
I am writing this post for practical information, but I can’t help but mix the emotion in as well. Yes, these are uncertain times and the hardest parts probably lie ahead, but take courage! We never walk alone and He works all things for good.
Save on toilet paper
After this none of us will ever want to talk about toilet paper again, right?! One thing we’re doing to save on toilet paper is reverting back to an old potty training tip: Put a piece of tape for how much paper each person should use.
I’ve asked the kids to use more paper than is past this line.
Save on milk
For those with kids who drink milk, you can buy whole milk and add water to make your own 2%. This can almost double your gallon!
I actually do this all the time! Just don’t add too much milk or the kids will catch on ;) I water it down by a little less than half.
Save on paper towels
If you’re used to using paper towels on the regular, take them off the counter and put them under the sink. This will make you think twice before grabbing one.
I ordered this set of 15 cotton bar towels and use them for everything! I don’t mind if these get stained, that’s what they’re for.
Save on dish soap
They make dish soap to potent nowadays we can make it go twice as far! My family tends to overdo it on the soap dispenser anyway. I water my dish soap down by at least half and it works perfectly well.
Save on cleaner
Vinegar has disinfectant qualities, but is not an EPA-registered disinfectant. However it works great for everyday cleaning as the acid breaks down scum, shines surfaces and is non-toxic. I even use it in my floor cleaner and toilets.
You can even add an orange peel for extra power! Citrus oil aids cleaning by breaking down oils and sticky surfaces. You can cheat and just stick a peel in the spray bottle or follow this recipe I wrote a few years ago for a stronger solution.
Add baking soda for extra scrubbing, bubbling action. Check out how I cleaned my grimy shower with this trick you’ve never heard of!
Save on disinfectants
Alcohol is an effective sanitizer as long as the solution contains at least 60 percent alcohol according to this report. The CDC recommends 70 percent for disinfectant solutions. Read the CDC guidelines here.
Most sanitizing commercial products can no longer be found of store shelves so here are some DIY recipes:
DIY disinfectants
70 percent alcohol spray
- 3/4 cups water
- 1 3/4 cup alcohol (vodka, Everclear or rubbing alcohol)
- 10 drops antibacterial essential oils such as tea tree, lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint
CDC bleach solution
- 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
- 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
Hand sanitizer
You can make a smaller batch of the above alcohol spray and put it in a smaller spray bottle for hands.
Or you could try an DIY aloe vera recipe like this one posted by WIRED magazine. I’m planning on trying it and I’ll let you know how it goes!
Your turn!
Leave your brilliant ideas in the comments below!
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