Adults grappling with hygiene poverty are sacrificing basic necessities like deodorant, toothpaste, and hot showers to ensure their families can eat.
A survey of 500 individuals struggling to afford everyday hygiene items revealed that a staggering 83% have had to cut back on daily essentials to provide for their children during school holidays.
Shockingly, almost a quarter (24%) have even skipped meals to afford hygiene products, while others have forgone new clothes (51%), heating (32%), and mouthwash (26%) to make ends meet.
The cost of hygiene products has forced 33% of those surveyed to regularly choose between buying toothpaste or deodorant. Furthermore, 13% have gone days without brushing their teeth at all, with 11% only doing so when they are going into their workplace.
Disturbingly, 7% have been forced to use a single sanitary pad for the duration of an entire period, while 13% share personal hygiene products with others to save money.
This research was commissioned by Unilever and The Hygiene Bank, in partnership with Boots, to launch its product donation initiative in store when customers buy their own personal care products, for the fourth year running.
The charity recently disclosed that 4.2 million UK adults are living in hygiene poverty, and since 2022, the cost of living and inflation crises have pushed an additional 1.1m people into the crisis – the equivalent of the population of Birmingham.
Chris Barron, spokesperson for Unilever Personal Care UKI, has spoken out about the critical and escalating issue of hygiene poverty, stating: “It’s important to raise awareness of such an important and sadly, a growing issue.”
He highlighted the often unseen struggles individuals face daily, adding: “Many might not realise the severity of what people might be going through and the struggles they face on a daily basis.”
Barron also emphasised the significant impact even a small contribution can make: “Making a small contribution this summer could have a huge impact for someone in hygiene poverty, and we are delighted we are able to support those in need through this initiative.”
The study shed light on the worries of parents, with 75% expressing concern over the additional costs during school holidays and affording essentials. Despite these challenges, 72% manage to shield their children from the reality of hygiene poverty, ensuring they never go without.
It was revealed that 44% of people dilute shampoo or shower gel to extend its use, while 51% have resorted to requesting hygiene products as gifts for occasions like birthdays or Christmas due to financial constraints.
(Image: Getty Images)
However, there is a silence surrounding the struggle to afford hygiene products, with 55% feeling unable to discuss their difficulties openly. Furthermore, 52% are unaware of any support initiatives available to them.
Consequently, a staggering 85% of participants believe that greater efforts are needed to increase awareness of hygiene poverty.
A whopping 58% of folks surveyed by OnePoll have admitted that living in hygiene poverty has battered their mental health.
Ruth Brock, the big boss at The Hygiene Bank, spilled the beans: “Working in communities up and down the country, we witness the real impact of hygiene poverty in every corner of the UK and the results from the study highlight the true state of play.”
She added, “Everyone deserves to feel clean and having access to the basics shouldn’t be a luxury or a privilege for anyone in our society, yet many are living in poverty and cannot afford to stay clean.”
The campaign is set to roll until 27th August, so when you grab your faves like Dove, Tresemme, Radox, Sure, Lynx, Simple, Vaseline, and Sheamoisture from Boots either in-store or online, you’re helping Unilever chuck at least 300,000 products The Hygiene Bank’s way.
WHAT THOSE IN HYGIENE POVERTY ARE DITCHING TO KEEP UP WITH BILLS:
- New clothes
- Getting their haircut
- Nights out
- Fun stuff
- Heating
- Mouthwash
- Fresh fruit and veg
- Personal care goodies
- A cuppa
- Shaving cream
- Mobile chat
- Cleaning gear
- Conditioner
- Dental floss
- Warm showers
- Meds or health boosters
- Over-the-counter meds
- Deodorant
- Shampoo
- Bog roll
- Internet
- Washing up liquid
- Soap
- Laundry soap
- Toothpaste.