Save time and shop safely with these mom-approved grocery shopping tips. This post is sponsored by Ecolab. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Grocery shopping is every mom’s most dreaded task. Whenever I’m getting ready for my weekly grocery shopping trip, there are certain things I need to do to prepare. I learned early on that going in with a game plan was the best way to get out the fastest and with the least amount of contact. Grocery shopping in a crowded store is the last thing us moms want to be doing right now. With a few simple tips, you can stay safe and organized before you head to the grocery store for your next shopping trip.

Mom-Approved Grocery Shopping Tips You Need Before Your Next Shopping Trip

Plan out a weekly or monthly menu

Before I even walk out of the door to head to the grocery store, I sit down with my family to plan out our menu. Most of the time I plan out our menu for the week and make a weekly trip to the grocery store because space is limited in our home. If we have a lot of activities planned or have travel plans, then we’ll plan a monthly menu instead. Having an idea of what we’re going to eat on a daily basis helps me to know exactly what I need at the grocery store. It eliminates any extra spending or time aimlessly strolling down the aisles.

Always go with a list

Once your family menu is complete, you can create a shopping list with everything you need. I like to organize my list by sections in the grocery store to make it easier to navigate. Doing this also cuts down on the time you’ll spend in the store.

Bring your own bags

Reducing waste and minimizing touch points is so important to me, especially right now when we’re in the middle of a pandemic. I love to bring my own bags with me when I go shopping. Tote bags and reusable freezer shopping bags with handles work the best.

Shop at stores prioritizing cleanliness and safety

Lately I’ve been making it a priority to shop at stores partnered with Ecolab that have earned the Ecolab Science Certified™ seal. Why? I know that when I spot their seal, I’m shopping in a store that has committed to delivering clean and safe environments backed by deep scientific expertise, employees who are trained on current public health and food safety cleaning and disinfecting practices, and food contact sanitizers that are approved for use against the COVID-19 virus – combined with an annual audit performed by highly trained Ecolab specialists. The Ecolab Science Certified seal gives me the confidence that I need to get my shopping done.

Wear a mask

PPE is an important part of staying safe right now. Don’t forget to wear your mask before heading to the grocery store. Wearing a mask is an important part of keeping the places we all frequent clean and safe. 

Shop during low traffic hours

I always try to go shopping during the times when I know the store is the least crowded, especially when shopping with my kids. This helps minimize exposure and I can get everything on my list much faster without the crowds.

Avoid using cash

Credit or debit cards are the best way to pay right now. You might even consider using a mobile payment option like Apple Pay. Cash can carry germs and allows unnecessary contact. If you must use cash, I highly suggest using self-checkout if the option is available.

Never shop hungry

The cardinal rule of grocery shopping for my family is to never go shopping when you’re hungry. I made this mistake one too many times and have definitely learned that it’s a big no-no. Make sure that anyone who goes grocery shopping with you is fed as well, including kids. When kids are hungry, it’s a huge nightmare. They want all the snacks and will touch every surface in the store. Make sure they know what the rules are before going.

Wash your reusable bags

After every grocery shopping trip, I throw my reusable bags into the laundry. I wash them on a hot cycle with our towels and sheets to disinfect and clean them so they’re ready for my next shopping trip.

Do you have any grocery shopping tips?

More About the Ecolab Science Certified Program

• The Ecolab Science Certified program was created to deliver a higher level of cleanliness through science-backed products, protocols and training to help reduce the risk of exposure to germs at the places you eat, stay and shop. 
• Ecolab’s team of more than 1,200 scientists, engineers and technical specialists have combined their science-based solutions and decades of expertise helping keep hospitals clean with what they have learned from their own consumer research and working with businesses in nearly 3 million locations in 170 countries to develop the Ecolab Science Certified program.
• The places you eat, stay and shop commit to rigorous program requirements and complete an annual audit performed by highly trained Ecolab experts to earn the Ecolab Science Certified seal.

This post is sponsored by Ecolab. All thoughts and opinions are my own.