Hygiene poverty is not being able to afford many of the everyday hygiene and personal grooming products most of us take for granted, like shampoo, laundry detergent, tampons, nappies or toothpaste.
At The Hygiene Bank, we believe it is not right that feeling clean should be a luxury or a privilege for anyone in our society, yet 4.2 million adults in the UK are living in hygiene poverty and cannot afford to stay clean.
It isn’t about cleanliness, or even mental and physical wellbeing, hygiene poverty blocks opportunities and limits life chances - going without shampoo, toothpaste, laundry detergent causes suffering on a day-to-day basis. People affected by hygiene poverty feel shame, anxiety, depression…
And the consequences can have long-lasting implications, people avoid going to work or to job interviews, and they severely reduce and limit their social interactions. So, hygiene poverty limits access to education, work and to routes out of poverty.
Angela needs to look good to hold onto her receptionist job...
But buying the basics she needs -even shampoo and conditioner- is out of the question. Olive needs nappies and the kids need to be fed. She hates having to choose.
Nana needs the incontinence pads since her operation.
Without them, she can't really go out to visit her friends at the day centre for coffee and cake.
Nick thinks he flunked his big exam.
He's been skipping school and not hanging out with his friends because there's no deodorant at home.
Lily won't go to school tomorrow.
She hates it when the other children call her stinky and right now Mum can't afford the detergent to wash her clothes.
The Collins family are trying to break free from the poverty cycle. A deodorant can make the difference between making friends or feeling lonely, a university place or missing out, shampoo can make a difference between getting a job offer or staying on benefits.
By supporting THB you can help someone restore their health, confidence and opportunities for a better future. Your donation isn’t just a gift -it’s a lifeline, ensuring no one has to face the shame and isolation of hygiene poverty alone.
When I can't afford washing powders or deodorant, I make sure all is clean for work but don't socialise or see family and friends.
I feel embarrassed and ashamed. Led to me feeling quite depressed.
The mental anguish is relentless, as the shame and anxiety of my appearance and hygiene eat away at my self-worth.
We hate hygiene poverty. Do you?
