‘Devastating': Millions of people cannot afford hygiene, cleaning basics

News.com.au

2 days ago

Four million Australians cannot afford basic personal hygiene and cleaning products, new research suggests.
Up to one-in-five people are going without soap, toothpaste, pads and tampons or deodorant, results of a new survey from Good360 suggests. The researchers deem being unable to afford these essentials as 'hygiene poverty'.
'The impacts of hygiene poverty are wide ranging, with our research showing it takes a devastating toll on people's mental and physical wellbeing,' Good360 managing director Alison Covington said.
'Hygiene poverty can cause feelings of low self-esteem, embarrassment and shame, and make it difficult for people to maintain their health.'
Good360 donates new and unsold clothes, homewares, toiletries and toys from hundreds of retailers to thousands of Australian charities and schools. The charity has surveyed 1000 Australians to see how many people cannot afford hygiene and cleaning products, and the results were released on Tuesday.
One-in-seven survey respondents are unable to afford cleaning products, the survey finds.
Women and young people are more likely to experience hygiene poverty. About 30 per cent of people aged 18 to 24 are concerned about affording hygiene and cleaning products, as are 21 per cent of women.
'Our research also highlights the significant consequences on daily life, such as people avoiding social events or other critical commitments such as work and school,' Ms Covington said.
'Eliminating hygiene poverty isn't just about ensuring people have access to toothpaste and deodorant, it's about helping people to live a dignified and healthy life.
'There should not be millions of Australians, including children, going without the basics they need to thrive,' she said.
Australian-founded company QV Skincare works with Good360 to help people get basic necessities. QV head of global marketing Simone Thomassen said the findings of hygiene poverty across Australia were alarming.
'We were shocked at Good360 Australia's recent report on hygiene poverty,' she said.
'Nobody should have to experience hygiene poverty in a country like Australia. That's why we are proud to be partnering with leading charity Good360 to donate essential hygiene products to people in need.'
Separate from the Good360 research, the Victorian government announced on Monday an expansion of its free pads and tampons scheme, which has put vending machines in major public markets, libraries, sporting venues and recreation centres.
The $23m scheme has dispensed 90,000 hygiene packs since November 2024.
'Whether you're at a footy final or on a school excursion, you shouldn't have to worry about access to pads and tampons,' Victorian Women's Minister Natalie Hutchins said.
'We're delivering free pads and tampons in public places right across Victoria, and now we're making it a reality at some of our most iconic venues – saving Victorian families thousands of dollars every year.'
The latest consumer price index data shows health costs having risen 4.1 per cent in the past year, while furnishings, household equipment and services costs have risen 1.1 per cent in the capital cities during the past three months.
Food inflation is running at 3 per cent for the past 12 months.
Overall, the household inflation rate has ticked up 2.1 per cent during the past year. Wages are outpacing inflation again, with the latest quarterly wage price index data showing a 3.4 per cent rise in annual terms.