The New Toilet Paper? Experts Say You Should Stock Up on These Items Before Winter

As coronavirus cases begin to surge across the country, many people are preparing to stay home as much as possible this winter. While the first wave of COVID-19 brought on stay-at-home orders for millions of Americans, many are beginning to question if it’s time to stock up on supplies as states across the country are beginning to pull back on reopening their cities.

However, no one wants to see empty shelves at the stores and start panicking again if they can’t find toilet paper. So, as you prepare for the winter months ahead, here are the items experts say you should have on hand but not hoard.

Toilet Paper

Before you grab more rolls of toilet paper than you will ever use in a year, experts say you should only take what you and your family will need. The website How Much Toilet Paper is a handy site that can give you a mathematical breakdown of how many rolls you’ll need so that you don’t over or, worse, under-buy toilet paper.

Here’s an expert tip: If toilet paper is already missing from store shelves, check online for delivery subscriptions like Amazon’s Subscribe and Save. You’ll have it delivered to your home and you won’t have to worry about running to the store or running out of toilet paper.

Soap and Hand Sanitizer

We are all washing our hands more because of COVID-19, but it’s also cold and flu season. Make sure you have this hygiene staple in your home and that everyone has easy access to it. From regular soap to hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, stores finally have these items in stock, so grab a few extras now.

Cleaning Supplies

If someone in your house does get sick, you’ll want to be sure you have the correct supplies to disinfect your home. Use this site from the CDC to make sure your cleaning supplies actually kill COVID-19. People are already saying their local grocery stores are running out of cleaning supplies, so experts say you should try grabbing items online or head to stores like Lowes or Home Depot to check out their stock.

Pantry Supplies

To cut down on multiple trips to the grocery store, experts say having your pantry stocked will make meal prep and grocery shopping easier. Not sure what to have in your pantry? Here’s a list to start with:

• Rice
• Flour
• Yeast
• Sugar
• Canned vegetables and beans
• Pasta
• Canned soup
• Cereals
• Protein bars
• Jarred and canned sauces
• Dried Fruits

Medicine

From over-the-counter staples to prescriptions that your family will need, experts say stocking your medicine cabinet is something you’ll want to do now.

Entertainment

More time indoors means you’ll have more time to entertain your family. So grab some new board games and have a family game night to pass the time, or find a few new hobbies that will keep you and your kids happy during the winter months.