The Cleanology Event for The Hygiene Bank

Raising Awareness for Hygiene Poverty – Supporting The Hygiene Bank

On Thursday evening, Charles and I attended the Cleanology event at the Law Society in Chancery Lane, held during Hygiene Week 2nd–12th October. The event brought together professionals from across the cleaning and hygiene industries to raise awareness, funds, and connections in support of The Hygiene Bank — a charity doing vital work to tackle hygiene poverty across the UK.

What Is Hygiene Poverty?

Hygiene poverty means not being able to afford many of the everyday hygiene and personal care items most of us take for granted  things like shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, nappies, or laundry detergent.

It’s hard to imagine, but 4.2 million adults in the UK are currently living in hygiene poverty and cannot afford to stay clean.

At The Hygiene Bank, the message is simple but powerful:

“It’s not right that feeling clean should be a luxury or a privilege.”

Why It Matters

Hygiene poverty is not just about cleanliness. It affects confidence, dignity, and mental health  and it can have lasting consequences.

When people can not afford basic hygiene products, they may avoid work, job interviews, or social interactions out of embarrassment. This leads to isolation, anxiety, and even depression. Ultimately, hygiene poverty limits access to education, employment, and opportunities to build a better future.

How You Can Help

The good news is, we can all do something to help. The Hygiene Bank makes it easy for individuals, workplaces, and communities to get involved:

Donate products – Collect or drop off essential items like shampoo, soap, toothpaste, or period products at a local Hygiene Bank drop-off point.

Fundraise or donate money – Financial donations allow The Hygiene Bank to purchase exactly what’s needed and distribute supplies to communities in need.

Partner as a business – Companies across the cleaning, hospitality, and facilities management sectors can collaborate to provide ongoing support through donations, campaigns, or awareness initiatives.

Every contribution — big or small — helps ensure that no one has to face the shame or hardship of going without the basics.

Learn More

To find your nearest drop-off point, make a donation, or learn more about how The Hygiene Bank supports people across the UK, visit www.thehygienebank.com

Events like the Cleanology evening remind us that by coming together as an industry and as individuals, we can help restore dignity, improve lives, and make hygiene poverty a thing of the past.