Hygiene poverty is not being able to afford many of the everyday hygiene and personal grooming products most of us take for granted. The reality of low income is that it restricts people’s options, leaving us caught between being able to heat our homes, pay the rent, eat or be clean.
It is struggling to wash your hair because you can’t afford shampoo.
It is not being able to purchase deodorant because money is needed for the electric card.
It is not being able to replace a toothbrush when needed or sharing a toothbrush because one each just isn't an option.
It is being unable to change your baby's nappy as often as is needed and scraping out the contents before reapplying it.
It is washing hair, bodies, faces and clothes in the same cheap washing up liquid used for the dishes.
It is being housebound because you can't afford period protection or have to improvise with rolled up loo roll and socks.
It is having to choose between shaving foam and razors or the transport fare to a job interview.
It is going to school with matted hair because there is only one hairbrush in the household and there's no time for everyone to get a chance to use it.
It is not being able to launder clothes, school uniform and muddy sports kit when needed.
It is being 'judged' for living in an unclean home, because you can't afford the cost of household cleaning products.
