Overview
- In Kind Direct’s survey published Wednesday, based on 2,000 adults via OnePoll, reports almost three in ten have sacrificed personal hygiene to save money with a further 11% considering it.
- Respondents said they watered down products, skipped wash cycles, re-wore clothes and used washing up liquid as handwash, shampoo or cleaner, with 10% sharing toothbrushes and 11% substituting period products.
- People who cut back reported anxiety or stress at 35%, lower confidence at 29% and mental health strain for a quarter, and many reduced socialising at 44%, gym visits at 34% or even leaving home at 32%, with 11% avoiding work.
- Almost half at 48% said they would not feel comfortable asking for help and only 10% would seek support for basic items, showing how stigma keeps hygiene poverty—being unable to afford everyday cleaning products—out of sight.
- A retail donation drive runs 15 April to 8 June with Tesco and major brands, where one item is donated for every two selected products bought, and In Kind Direct will route supplies to over 9,000 charities reaching about 930,000 people each week.