Media Coverage
NewsCorp; August 5, 2025
Millions of Australians cannot afford these basic essentials, sparking low self-esteem, embarrassment, shame and poor health.
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.
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