Shopping for necessities has become way trickier than any of us ever anticipated. My friend Stacey posted a triumphant video of the toilet paper she found at her corner grocery store, and meanwhile, neighbors have set up a virtual trading post to make high-value trades like fresh-picked oranges for a sack of flour. These are strange times!
The good news is that there is still plenty you can shop for online, if you’re a little bit patient and a little bit lucky. To help, we’re keeping an eye out for must-have products and creative work-arounds. Whether you’re craving baked goods or looking for a smart alternative to paper towels, we’ve got you covered! Take a look and take my advice: if you see something you need, order it right away before it goes out of stock!
You will love our editor’s curated product picks! FYI: We are an Amazon affiliate partner and may get a share of the sale of your purchase (at no cost to you).
These 100 Disposable Gloves for Safer Shopping Trips
We should leave the medical gloves to the healthcare professionals, but disposable gloves can come in handy for everyday use. Slip on a pair when you venture to the grocery store; they’ll help you remember not to touch your face! You can also wear them while cleaning or handling packages at home.
These Electrolyte Powder Packs for Easy Hydration
If you or someone you love ends up sick, staying hydrated will be extremely important. Beverages with electrolytes help prevent dehydration, and these powder packs are a convenient item to have on hand, just in case.
This Brownie in a Mug for Instant Comfort
Some people are baking bread for the first time or churning out muffins and cookies by the dozen. That’s awesome, but if you’re more of a microwave-chef, these brownies in a mug are for you! Just add water, stir, and microwave for an instant dose of chocolate indulgence.
This Flax Seed Can Be Used as an Egg Substitute
Vegans have known this a long time, but those of us dealing with grocery shortages have learned that flax seed can be subbed for eggs in baked goods! Ground up the flax seeds first (use your coffee grinder or food processor), then combine 1 tablespoon flax with 3 tablespoons water to replace one egg.
These Baby Wipes for Your Little Ones
My friends with babies have reported that diapers and wipes are getting hard to find. If you’ve got plenty of baby wipes already, do the rest of families a favor and don’t hoard! But if you’re running low, we found this big pack for sale at a good price.
These Flushable Wipes Are a Nice Substitute for Toilet Paper
Can’t find toilet paper? Get flushable wipes instead! This pack will last a long time and, frankly, leaves you cleaner and fresher than regular TP anyway.
These Folded Paper Towels Get the Job Done
You may be used to seeing folded paper towels like these in industrial settings, but there’s no reason you can’t use them at home if regular paper towels are sold out. This 8-pack should last a good, long time–and is a great value, too!
This Paper Towel Dispenser Because Life Is Wacky Right Now
Bear with me. I’m thinking if I’m going to order that 8-pack of industrial folded paper towels, I might as well get the dispenser designed to hold them. Who knows, once this is installed in my kitchen, I may never want anything different!
These Half & Half Creamers for Your Morning Coffee
Running low on milk doesn’t necessarily bother me, as long as I can still make my coffee taste good. That’s where these mini half & half creamers come in. Pick up a big pack of these and your coffee’s status will be guaranteed for weeks to come.
These Food Storage Containers for Yummy Leftovers
Tonight’s dinner is also tomorrow’s lunch when you’re sheltering at home! If you’re cooking more, you’re going to want a set of leak-proof food storage containers to hold all those leftovers.
These Microfiber Cleaning Cloths Substitute for Paper Towels
Can’t find paper towels? Do the environment and your budget a favor and invest in a set of these microfiber cleaning cloths. They’re excellent for cleaning, mopping up spills, and all the other little jobs you normally use paper towels for. Best of all, you can wash them and use them over and over!
This Soft Scrub for Basic House Cleaning
Between my whole family sheltering at home and my concern over germs, I’m cleaning my house like never before. Some cleaning products are running low, but I spotted this Soft Scrub at an excellent price. Get yourself one while you can!
This Mucinex for Cough Relief
Hopefully, you won’t get sick. But if you do, Mucinex is a good medicine to have on hand to relieve coughs and break up chest congestion.
This Children’s Mucinex for Ages 4 and Up
If you have kids, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and make sure you have some basic medicines in the house, just in case. This Children’s Mucinex is an expectorant that breaks up chest congestion and relieves coughing.
These Extra-Long Gloves for Wearing Out in the World
Dish gloves are normally a good idea for preserving your manicure while doing the dishes. Now, they’re a good idea for grocery runs, bringing in packages, or doing your daily disinfecting around the house. This extra-long pair of gloves stays in place and protects your arms.
These Silicone Food Covers Keep Food Fresh
If it’s hard to find plastic wrap or aluminum foil, these silicone food covers are a smart alternative! This set of five stretchy lids works great on bowls and take-out containers, keeping food fresh and ready for your next visit to the fridge.
These Period Pads at a Great Price
I’ve heard that some women are having trouble finding menstrual products in stores, so I was relieved to find some good, affordable options on Walmart.com.
These Tampons at a Great Price
I don’t think period products are quite as scarce at toilet paper, but it’s still a good idea to make sure you have enough to last a while. This box of tampons is a good value.
This Hand Lotion for Your Dry, Dry, Dry Hands
Lots of hand washing and sanitizer use means very dry skin! Get a couple bottles of this Eucerin lotion to moisturize and make your skin look and feel better.
This Almond Flour for Baking Bread and Treats
If you want to bake but are having trouble finding flour, almond flour can be substituted in a lot of recipes. I’ve used it in muffins and cookies, and though the texture turns out a little more dense, my family really likes the flavor!
These Pedialyte Freezer Pops Are a Fun Way for Kids (and Adults!) to Hydrate
If someone in your home gets sick, hydration will be very important. Be ready with these Pedialyte freezer pops, which not only taste pretty good, but also contain electrolytes to help prevent dehydration while ill.
This UV Phone Sanitizer Zaps Away Germs
Sanitize your phone, keys, and other small items in this UV Phone Sanitizer. Only takes one minute to destroy 99.9% of bacteria and viruses!
These Two Big Bottles of Ibuprofen for Fevers, Headaches, and Peace of Mind
Make sure you have ibuprofen on hand for daily aches and pains, as well as fever reduction if you get sick. This 2-pack is a really good value.