With the growing tariff war between the United States and China, we may start seeing shortages or higher prices on common household items. Many everyday products are made or have parts made in China, and if tariffs continue to rise or trade slows down, it could affect what we can buy and how much it costs.
It’s smart to prepare ahead of time and stock up on items your family uses every day. Having a one-year supply means you won’t need to worry if shelves go empty or prices go up. Here are some common items to consider storing, along with recommended amounts for a family of four.
1. Shampoo
Why: Many shampoos are manufactured in other countries, and/or many of their components are.
Recommended Amount:
- 1 bottle per month, per person
2. Toothpaste
Why: Ingredients and packaging often come from China.
Recommended Amount:
- 12 tubes per person (1 tube/month) = 48 tubes/year for a family of 4
3. Toothbrushes
Why: Most are made in China.
Recommended Amount:
- 4 toothbrushes per person/year = 16 per family of 4
4. Soap (bar and liquid)
Why: Some ingredients and packaging are imported.
Recommended Amount:
- Bar soap: 36 bars per person/year = 144 bars
- Liquid hand soap: 12 bottles per person = 48 bottles
5. Laundry Detergent
Why: Containers, chemicals, or finished products may come from China.
Recommended Amount:
- 12 large bottles or boxes = 1 per month
6. Dish Soap
Why: Same reason as laundry detergent—imports and ingredients.
Recommended Amount:
- 12 bottles = 1 per month
7. Trash Bags
Why: Most brands are made overseas.
Recommended Amount:
- 12 large boxes = 1 per month
8. Batteries
Why: Many are manufactured or assembled in China.
Recommended Amount:
- AA: 96
- AAA: 48
- D: 24
- 9V: 12 (adjust based on what your devices use)
9. Light Bulbs
Why: LEDs especially, are made in China.
Recommended Amount:
- 24–36 bulbs, depending on how many fixtures you have
10. Over-the-Counter Medicines
Why: A large percentage of medicine ingredients are sourced from China.
Recommended Amount:
- Pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen): 4 large bottles per person
- Cold/flu medicine: 4 boxes per person
- Allergy pills: 1 bottle per 90 days = 4 bottles per person
- Vitamins: 12 bottles per person (1 per month)
Final Tips:
- Store items in a cool, dry place.
- Keep an inventory so you know what you have.
- Rotate supplies to keep things fresh.
- Look for sales and buy in bulk when possible.
Even if nothing changes overnight, having a year’s supply of basic items gives you peace of mind. Whether it’s a tariff war or just rising prices, your family will be ready.
Take care all –
Rourke
Build a Pantry You Can Rely On — Without the Overwhelm
- Pantry Inventory Sheets (printable)
- Pantry Gap Checklist (what most people forget)
- Pantry Shelf Life Reference Chart
- Bucket Food Storage Guide (Mylar + oxygen absorbers)
- Step-by-step Mylar packing instructions
- $5 / $10 budget food storage plan
- Pantry organization tips
- Food rotation basics
- Practical preparedness advice
- Want to build a pantry but don’t know where to start
- Are trying to prepare on a budget
- Want to keep your food storage organized
- Live in an area with storms, outages, or uncertainty
- Want to take better care of your household
- Peace of mind
- Flexibility during hard times
- One less thing to worry about
Not that these are necessities, but our local paper had an article this morning advising that fireworks are going to be in short supply or priced too high for anyone to afford, because so many of them come from China. If they’re part of your summer celebrations, you might want to act quickly or change your plans.
Appreciate you sharing SingleMom. I had not thought of fireworks.
we stock up on Dawn dishwashing liquid among other things. it can be used on everything from shampoo to laundry. and will last forever if kept in a cool place away from freezing or excess heat. personal cleanliness will be very important in a long term SHTF event.
we buy an extra bottle whenever we go to town to put back.
having room for everything is a major concern for us. we have out buildings and a good barn but they are not climate controlled. cold in the winter and HOT in the summer. the house and storm cellar are stuffed.
I do the same geezer. I tend to get Dawn, but, will get same other brands as well. We bought a 10×16 shed last year and have insulated about 40% of it. We will finish it this summer. I installed a direct-vent heater and will be getting an air conditioner shortly. Great for storing bulk supplies. I utilize totes to store most anything that could be effected by bugs or rodents. I do put in quote a few anti-rodent measures.