Like most Americans, I’m highly concerned about the impact that President Trump’s newly imposed tariffs will have on my wallet and the availability of some of my most-used products.
To get myself prepared, I’ve created a list of items that will help me replace some of the common single-use goods in my home, along with items that will help me stretch my irreplaceable products as far as possible, in the event I’m unable to access them.
Many of the upcoming options in this collection were inspired by products that I personally already own and love, as well as by recent guidance from supply chain experts who told us which items we can expect to see disappear from shelves first.
According to recent HuffPost coverage, one area of our daily life that will be impacted by tariffs is our grocery bill, and I don't know about you, but all too often, my produce ends up spoiling in my fridge prematurely.
These refrigerator drawer liners are meant to extend the life of your fruits and veggies by absorbing excess moisture and allowing air to circulate throughout the drawer. They are made from an innovative material that is food-safe and free from BPA and phthalates. They come in a pack of four trimmable sheets that are endlessly reusable and easy to clean.
These Swedish dishcloths are a beloved eco-conscious alternative to paper towels and are made from super-absorbent cellulose and cotton material that becomes soft to the touch when wet, but gritty enough for scouring when dry. These reusable and biodegradable cloths are completely machine-washable and great for drying dishes and cleaning countertops and more since they are compatible with virtually any surface.
This endlessly reusable spiral-bound notebook merges function and smart technology and can be a good purchase, especially considering chain supply experts warned us that back-to-school supplies will most likely be harder to come by in the coming months. Each of the 36 pages of the RocketBook is made with a special composite paper that's fully erasable and features a QR code. Once you write with the included compatible pen, you can save notes to your phone using the code, then wipe the page clean!
According to a supply chain expert that we recently spoke to, personal care items like soap and toothpaste will be among the first products to be affected by tariffs. If you use bar soap, then you've most likely tossed that last remaining sliver of soap in the trash, when instead, you could just place your bar into one of these bags to ensure that you'll utilize every last lather. I have a very similar version of these soap bags, and I'm always surprised by how much sudsing power is left in my dwindling bar since switching to this affordable solution. Aside from saving you coin, these envelope-style pouches gently exfoliate skin as you wash.
The Spatty is an innovative tool that promises to get every last bit of precious mayo from the jar or expensive foundation from the bottle. It's made from a flexible, non-toxic and BPA-free plastic that's also completely dishwasher-safe.
Stasher bags are made with food-safe silicone and can be frozen, microwaved, boiled, and even placed in the oven. The non-porous nature of the silicone material inhibits the growth of bacteria, so you can feel better about endlessly reusing them. I have several Stasher bags, and I'm so happy that I'll never spend another cent on plastic Ziplock bags ever again — which is good news considering experts claim disposable essentials will most likely be hard to come by due to tariffs.
Another reusable food storage option available to replace some commonly used disposable products is Food Huggers. These food- and dishwasher-safe sleeves are made from silicone and stretch tightly over opened cans or jars, the leftover ends of fruits and vegetables and more. They're rip-resistant, BPA-free, and take up much less space than conventional storage containers.
You may have seen these Flip-It bottle tops on season 10 of Shark Tank. They were created to easily collect and use every last drop of product from your bottles to extend the time between your next product purchase. Made from BPA-free, food- and dishwasher-safe plastic, these tops have a three-legged stand that allows the bottle to stand securely upside down so all the contents drain to the top of the bottle and are ready to use.
This pair of metal turnkeys will help ensure that you get every last ounce of product for your tubes of toothpaste, hand creams and other similarly packaged prouducts. Made from rust-resistant stainless steel, these tools promise to the easy to use thanks to the ergonomic rolling handle.
We've noted before that this scalp scrubber with silione bristles is a great and affordable do-dad for ensuring a cleaner scalp, fewer flakes and stimulating blood flow to potentially promote the health and growth of follicles. And while I can personally attest it does all that (and feels great in the process), I've also noticed that it helps me save on shampoo by creating a greater lather with less product.
Say goodbye to disposable plastic wrap for good with this organic alternative made simply with natural cotton covered in beeswax, natural oils and pine resin. These endlessly reusable sheets wrap, stick and seal over everything from blocks of cheese to avocado halves, then wash clean with cool water and dish soap. According to the maker, they work so well because they "mimic nature's peel and rind."
Long ago, I made the switch from expensive tampons to menstrual cups, and I can only imagine the hundreds of dollars I must have saved so far. If you're someone who also menstruates, this might be a cost-saving investment that you'll find worthwhile.
This incredibly comfortable and soft menstrual cup by Saalt is made with 100% body-safe medical-grade silicone, has a lifespan of up to 10 years and is my personal menstrual cup of choice. It can be worn for up to 12 hours, depending on your flow, and the flexible grip stem is completely undetectable. The bulb shape also helps to mimic the natural curves of your anatomy, and the reinforced rim is the perfect combination of firm and soft, so I don’t have any kind of cramping or leaks. If you have previously experienced bladder sensitivity or cramping with cups in the past, Saalt also offers an extra soft option and one for teens. Each version is available in two different flow capacities: regular and small.
Check the product page for additional coupons and promo codes for up to 15% off.
If menstrual cups are not your thing, but you're still interested in reusable period alternatives, you may want to consider specialized absorbent period underwear like these by Bambody. They have over 6,200 5-star ratings on Amazon and are made using ultra-soft and breathable bamboo fabric. The naturally cooling properties of bamboo rayon help to wick away moisture quickly, while the wide, full-coverage gusset offers absorption protection from the entire front to back and can absorb up to two tampons' worth of liquid. Shop them in a few color options, different multi-packs, and sizes XXS-3X, though the company recommends ordering a size up.