Using Delivery Services During the Coronavirus Outbreak

We heard from Governor Charlie Baker yesterday that the number of COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts will begin to surge sometime between April 7 and 17. With the stay-at-home advisory and social distancing guidance still in place until April 30, we’ll need to find new ways to manage our daily lives.  Fortunately, we have the Internet, various online tools to help us work remotely and entertain ourselves. And for the physical stuff, we can take advantage of delivery service.

Laundry Delivery

Cleanliness is key during this time. Other than washing our hands and disinfecting frequently used surfaces, we need to keep our clothing and bed linens clean. Using a germ-free laundry service can be extra beneficial. If you usually take your laundry to a dry cleaner or a laundromat, this would be a good time to switch to a free laundry delivery service. Even though dry cleaners are considered an essential service by the state, they usually reduce hours and avoid having you in the store as much as possible.

Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

Prescription Delivery

Medical supplies are critical too, especially prescriptions. Pharmacies are also an essential service and will stay open, but they, too, may reduce hours. In the suburbs, curbside service is often available – you drive up to the curb, call the store and they will bring the prescriptions or other medical supplies to you. Many drugstores also offer prescription delivery service within their neighborhoods. You should call your local drugstore to find out if they offer this service.

Food and Grocery Delivery

We all need food. While all the restaurants have closed, we can still order food online and then either pickup or get it delivered.  Many supermarkets also offer grocery delivery service and even meals to go. These days, we may find empty shelves for certain food items. Rather than making several trips to get all the food items that you need, it is better to stay safe and order online instead.

When taking advantage of delivery service, make sure that it is contactless. Ask the driver to leave the delivery items on your doorstep and then pick them up after they left.

Let’s all be careful and stay healthy!  

Laundry and Cleaning Tips for People With Sensitive Skin

Do you have sensitive skin? Since 70% of Americans describe themselves as having sensitive skin, I’m going to guess that you do. Sensitive skin is defined as skin that gets easily irritated by the use of products with added perfumes, dyes, or chemicals. Irritation can present itself as redness, itchiness, or even rashes. So if you have sensitive skin, you should be careful, otherwise you would end up spending a lot of money on skin products or even need to see a dermatologist for compounded medicine for skin care. Fortunately, there are easy precautions you can take when it comes to doing the laundry or cleaning in your home, to avoid aggravating your skin.

woman handling clothes at home
Photo by Sarah Brown on Unsplash

Always Read Labels

Whether it’s laundry detergent, cleaning products, or face wash – I always read the labels on any product I buy to look for ingredients that may irritate my skin. Sometimes that can be tricky if you’re not sure which ingredients are causing your irritation. Thankfully, since sensitive skin is such a common thing, it’s easy to find products made especially for that very thing. Look for labels that say “hypoallergenic,” “green,” or “free from dyes and perfumes.” 

Test Products First

Trying a new laundry detergent or body wash can be nerve-wracking if you’re not sure how your skin will react. For this reason, try testing first. For laundry detergent, wash just a few items and try wearing them for a few hours. If no redness or irritation occurs, you’re probably in the clear. Most stores will even allow you to return products if they end up being a problem for you skin. But to be on the safe side, I would check the store policies before buying.

Let Your Laundry Delivery Service or Dry Cleaners Know

If you use a laundry delivery service or take your clothes to a dry cleaner often, make sure you let them know about your sensitive skin. Most dry cleaning services have an alternative soap or detergent to use for people with concerns about irritants. Green dry cleaners, in particular, will usually have a “green” or “natural” option for certain items. It never hurts to ask.

Sensitive skin doesn’t have to change much in your routine. Be aware of the products you’re using and take extra precautions, and your skin will thank you.