Hygiene Items You Should Never Forget in Your Emergency Prep
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In emergency situations, hygiene is just as critical as food and water. Poor hygiene can quickly lead to rashes, infections, illness, and serious health problems, especially for babies, women, and older adults. In an emergency situation where help is not readily available, illness and infections could potentially lead to death. Good hygiene is good prevention.
After years of working with refugee families, I learned something important: hygiene items are among the most consistently requested supplies. No matter the country, climate, or situation, people always need ways to stay clean and healthy.
This article will help you plan the hygiene supplies your family actually needs—and avoid some common mistakes.
Why Hygiene Matters in Emergencies
When normal routines are disrupted, small hygiene issues can quickly become major health problems.
- Skin infections from dirty clothing or diapers
- Urinary tract infections
- Illness or disease from contaminated hands or surfaces
- Tooth infections from lack of dental care
In emergencies, medical care may be limited. Preventing problems is far easier than treating them.
Essential Hygiene Supplies for Every Emergency Kit
1. Hand & Body Cleaning
• Bar soap (long-lasting and compact) • Liquid soap • Hand sanitizer • Washcloths • Towels • Baby wipes or adult wipes • Toothbrushes and toothpaste • Dental floss • Nail clippers • Razor and shaving cream
Tip: Store soap in breathable bags so it can dry between uses.
2. Feminine Hygiene Supplies
These are among the most requested items in crisis areas.
• Disposable pads • Tampons (if preferred) • Reusable cloth pads or menstrual cups • Extra underwear • Sealable bags for disposal or washing
If you plan to use reusable products, make sure you have: • Enough to rotate while others dry • A safe way to wash them • Enough water for cleaning • A private place to dry them fully
Reusable items that are not fully dry can cause infections and skin irritation.
3. Baby Hygiene Supplies
Babies are especially vulnerable during emergencies.
Must-have items: • Disposable baby diapers • Baby wipes • Diaper rash cream • Changing pad • Plastic bags for disposal
A Lesson We Learned the Hard Way
In refugee camps, we saw families washing reusable diapers and putting them back on babies before they were fully dry. They didn’t have enough diapers to rotate, and they didn’t have enough water or drying space.
The result was heartbreaking—babies developed severe rashes and infections.
After seeing this repeatedly, we switched to sending disposable diapers only. They were safer in conditions where water, soap, and drying space were limited.
If you plan to use reusable diapers in your preparedness plan, be sure to: • Have enough diapers for several days so they can fully dry • Plan for the large amount of water needed to wash them • Have a safe place for drying, even in winter or rainy weather • Store diaper cream to prevent rashes
Reusable diapers are wonderful in normal conditions—but in emergencies, logistics matter.
4. Cleaning and Laundry Supplies
• Laundry soap or detergent sheets • Bucket with lid (for washing or soaking) • Clothesline and clothespins • Stain remover • Disinfecting wipes • Bleach or disinfectant • Trash bags • Paper towels • Scrub brushes
Remember: laundry requires a surprising amount of water. Plan accordingly.
Check out this article on how to wash laundry and reuse water in an emergency situation.
5. Personal Comfort Items
These may seem small, but they make a huge emotional difference.
• Deodorant • Hairbrush or comb • Shampoo and conditioner • Lip balm • Lotion • Tissues • Toilet paper • Small mirror
Staying clean helps people feel human during stressful situations.
Pro hacks: Baking soda is fantastic at washing hair. It's relatively cheap and stores well for a really long time. Vinegar is a good conditioner. Baking soda mixed with coconut oil is a terrific natural deodorant. Bidets work instead of toilet paper, but only if you have water.
Check out this article for more information on comfort items that are not hygiene related.
How Much Should You Store?
A good rule is to store at least 2–4 weeks of hygiene supplies, then build up to 3 months if possible.
For families with babies or menstruating women, store extra. These needs cannot be postponed.
Water Planning for Hygiene
When prepping hygiene supplies, always ask: How much water will this require?
Examples: • Washing reusable diapers and feminine hygiene products uses a lot of clean water • Handwashing requires soap and water or sanitizer • Bathing children requires warm water
If water is limited, disposable items may be safer.
Final Thoughts
In every crisis we’ve worked in, hygiene items were not luxuries—they were necessities. They protected health, dignity, and comfort.
Food keeps people alive. Hygiene keeps them healthy.
As you build your emergency supplies, make hygiene a priority. Your future self—and your family—will be grateful.
No fuss. No fluff. No fear.
Other Articles of Interest
What if the Grocery Stores Closed Tomorrow?
Emergency Kits: What You Need to Know
Emergency Water Storage and Preparation
How to Financially Prepare for Emergencies Without Going Broke