5 Essential Healthcare Items You Can DIY On A Budget

If you visit your local supermarket or pharmacy right now, you’d be hard-pressed to find face masks, hand sanitizer, or any other essential items that have been in high demand amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

You’re not the only hapless shopper to go home empty-handed, but it doesn’t have to end this way. Thanks to some crafty, creative folks online, it can be just as affordable to make these healthcare items on your own.

From disinfecting spray to alternative toilet paper, here are a few budget-friendly ways to make these products at home.

1. Face Mask

Did you know you can make a no-sew mask in just under five minutes? This YouTuber makes the process look so simple with an instructional tutorial that’ll have you covered in no time. (See what we did there?) While this DIY alternative is nothing like N-95 masks, they’re better than nothing during times like these.

What you’ll need: cotton fabric (pillowcase, an old t-shirt, etc.) and hair ties. (There’s even a disposable version that uses coffee filters, masking tape, rubber bands and paper clips.)

2. Hand Sanitizer

Washing your hands is essential now more than ever, but sometimes water and soap aren’t always available for those who are on the go. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol could be your next best option.

Albeit not to be a substitute for store-bought sanitizer, Healthline has provided a cheap and affordable recipe for homemade hand sanitizer you can use on the run.

What you’ll need: rubbing alcohol (99 percent alcohol volume), aloe vera gel, and essential oil (optional).

3-4. Disinfecting Wipes and Spray

Spring cleaning projects underway but have no disinfecting supplies on hand? No biggie. You can make your own bacteria-fighting spray and wipes using everyday items you probably already have.

This YouTuber gives a full breakdown on making homemade disinfecting wipes — using disposable cloths, bleach and multi-purpose cleaner — whereas this channel has the easiest, two-ingredient recipe for disinfecting spray. In other words, let’s get cleaning!

What you’ll need: Bleach, Fragranzia (essential oil or multi-purpose cleaner), disposable cloth (can also be dry or lightly-scented), and spray bottles.

5. Toilet Paper (Alternatives)

Okay, okay, but hear us out! Times are difficult and toilet paper is in short supply just about everywhere you go, so what are you going to do when you have to number… you know the rest. As it turns out, there are more toilet paper alternatives than you’d imagine — and given the crisis we’re experiencing, there’s no shame in giving them a try.

One alternative is from Survival Dispatch, who recommends using old newspaper or phone books as toilet paper for the time being — and to be honest, it’s an ingenious idea that’ll cost you next to nothing compared to what price-gougers are charging today.

If you can afford to make something a bit fancier, another idea is making baby wipes — for you and your little one(s) — with just a few items.

What you’ll need: paper towel, baby-sensitive soap, and baby oil. (Get the recipe here.)

Photo: YouTube/Do It On A Dime