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Editor’s note: We’re no longer updating this story, but you can find everything you need for your home here.
With much of the country still under stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, people continue to stock up on cleaning and household essentials as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As a result, these essential items are sold out at many online stores.
From hand sanitizer to toilet paper to thermometers, these products can help you and the people you live with prepare for self-isolation or if someone gets sick. But they’re becoming increasingly difficult to find online, which can be especially stressful when you’re trying to shop from the comfort of your home.
We’ve rounded up 10 of the hardest household items to find during the coronavirus outbreak, and where to buy them while they’re still available. Due to increased demand, shipping may be delayed, but we will list items that have the best chance of reaching you as quickly as possible. We will also continue to update this list as supplies decrease and restocking occur, so be sure to check back often.
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Hand sanitizers from Purell and GermX are on sale now, but you’ll have to be picky because the truth is, they’re not exactly the same. Some contain an alcohol substitute called benzalkonium chloride, which is not as effective if you want to stop the spread of germs. Instead, you should look for a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, according to the CDC.
But they sell out quickly (seriously, you might even have to go to the store to buy them), so we definitely recommend getting them as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can make your own, especially since the World Health Organization (WHO) has just put together this guide to household disinfectants to help you make your own. But be careful: their step-by-step instructions call for using 96% ethanol.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of the best things you can do right now to prevent the spread of coronavirus is to wash your hands frequently. This means wipe them after using the toilet, riding public transport, blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, and before eating. The American Red Cross also recommends washing your hands for at least 20 seconds to effectively clean your hands. While antibacterial soap is critical, washing your hands regularly is an important way to stop the spread of germs.
During natural disasters and other emergencies, toilet paper is always one of the first items to run out. When you can’t leave the house, the thought of running out of tissues for errands is downright scary. While we rate Charmin Ultra Soft toilet paper first and second, in times like these, you’re better off with whatever toilet paper you can buy, even if it’s single-ply. Here are all the places you can still order toilet paper.
Most of the time, paper towels seem wasteful. While they’re definitely a popular purchase for the home—we’ve even put together a list of the best paper towels you can buy right now—they’re not eco-friendly and expensive, making them seem like a no-brainer. a luxury for some families.
But the fact that paper towels are disposable may actually make them useful, especially in households where someone has already been affected by the coronavirus. The CDC recommends using paper towels to clean and disinfect your home, so keep some on hand just in case.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released a list of disinfectants that are now safe to use in US households to protect against the coronavirus. One of the most important disinfectants on the list? Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. Killing up to 99.9% of surface bacteria and viruses, these wipes are easy to use and safe on most surfaces, making them a must-have wipe for your home right now.
Editor’s note: There are currently no cleaning wipes available, but we will update them as soon as they are in stock.
Dish soap is another household item you’ll want to keep around. The CDC recommends that people infected with coronavirus not share plates, glasses, cups or cutlery. After use, such utensils should be washed thoroughly with soap and water. When we tested the best dish soap, we washed over 125 plates, glasses, bowls, and spoons and found Dawn Ultra to be the clear winner. It not only removes grease, but is also an excellent disinfectant.
A thermometer is essential to know if you have a fever, one of the main symptoms of coronavirus, according to the CDC. With so many people trying to find a lost thermometer from their medicine cabinet, options in stores and online are currently very limited. Luckily, you can still find some online, although they may take a few days (or even weeks) to arrive.
Similar to cleaning wipes, disinfectant sprays can help remove harmful germs from surfaces and potentially prevent the spread of coronavirus. The CDC recommends using household cleaners that contain at least 70% alcohol, and most EPA-registered disinfectants (such as Lysol Clean & Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner) should be effective with regular use. If you haven’t picked up a bottle or two yet, you can buy them on Amazon right now, but we recommend getting them soon as they’re sold out everywhere.
If you’re stuck at home for an extended period of time, you definitely don’t want to run out of diapers—it can turn into a mess, both literally and figuratively. When you try to plan ahead, you may want to buy a few extra boxes of diapers. However, every baby is different and some diaper brands may work better than others, so we recommend choosing your brand (no matter what it is) and stocking up on them.
Editor’s note: We’re no longer updating this story, but you can find everything you need for your home here.
While the main symptoms of coronavirus include a dry cough, fever and shortness of breath, it’s always a good idea to have an extra box of tissues on hand, according to the CDC. You may have a runny nose due to allergies, a cold, or the flu. After testing nine different packages (and blowing our nose a few times), we found Puffs Ultra Soft to be the best wipe that doesn’t irritate your nose. You can buy these products on Amazon right now. Other brands also have paper towels.
These weren’t the only items that sold out: Fitness items, board games and other non-essential items also sold out quickly. We’ll also take a look at the inventory of these high-demand items:
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Post time: Jun-03-2024