You’ve been to the store, looked online, and are not finding everything that’s on your dad’s shopping list. He’s on his last roll of toilet paper or has no disinfectant spray left. Pet food supplies are running low. He’s on his last drops of laundry detergent. What do you do?

First, don’t panic. There may be ways you can make what he needs. Second, hit online sites and forums and see if anyone has what he needs. Many people started groups on social media to help neighbors during the pandemic. If you have to make items, here are some of the popular options that are helping many households out.

Toilet Paper

If he’s out of toilet paper, there’s not much you can do. Stores are doing all they can to make sure everyone gets some, but some areas are still seeing shortages.

Use tissues, paper towels, newspaper, magazine pages, napkins, and baby wipes if you can find them. Make sure he knows to throw them into the trash and not flush them. If he’s desperate, he could cut up old towels and use them. Place them in a bucket that is filled with bleach and water until there’s enough to do a load of laundry.

Bleach Wipes

Cut a roll of paper towels in half and place them side by side in a large freezer bag. In a pot, mix a gallon of cool water with one-third cup of bleach. Pour four or five cups of that solution into the bag so that the paper towels are saturated. Remove the cardboard tube and pull up the paper towels from the center of each roll. When you need a disinfectant wipe, pull one out from the center.

The remaining solution can go into a spray bottle to use with paper towels or kitchen towels. Use that spray to clean counters and other hard surfaces.

An Alternative to Laundry Detergent

For the duration of the pandemic, use baking soda and vinegar to wash clothing. Hot water kills germs. You don’t want to use shampoo or dish soap as it will create too many suds and spill out of the machine.

White vinegar is a great alternative to fabric softener. Fill your fabric softening dispenser with it or add it to the final rinse to help soften your clothing’s fibers. When your clothes dry, they’ll be soft but not smell of vinegar.

What if you can’t get to your dad’s house to help him as you usually would? Home care services from caregivers is a viable solution. Caregivers will go to his house, help him with the tasks that he cannot do independently, and make sure he’s okay. Caregivers can pick up groceries, open packages, and make sure items match what was ordered. He doesn’t have to be alone while you’re recuperating or self-quarantined.

If you or an aging loved one is considering caregivers in Loudoun, VA, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands today. (703) 782-3655.