Let's Challenge Hygiene Poverty

The Hygiene Bank Ireland is launching Ireland’s second National Hygiene Week. With 41% of the population cutting back on, or going without hygiene items as a result of their financial situation, it has never been more important to raise awareness of hygiene poverty. 

We are encouraging everyone to Understand and Challenge hygiene poverty by supporting us this National Hygiene Week. 

What we do

At The Hygiene Bank Ireland, we believe basic hygiene should be a right, not a privilege, and yet many are struggling to afford the basics. Our volunteers collect and distribute products to those in need in their local communities via our Community Partners – a mix of charities, schools, and local organisations. We believe in building stronger, resilient communities by working together to shape a more just society.

Understand Hygiene Poverty

Hygiene Poverty is the inability to afford many of the everyday essential hygiene items that most of us take for granted. It can look like one family sharing a toothbrush, or parents reusing dirty nappies, or being unable to wash clothes, sports kits and uniforms as often as is necessary.

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Challenge Hygiene Poverty

We believe it is not right that in 21st century Ireland many are being forced to choose between heating their homes, paying their rent or buying hygiene items. In order to fulfill our mission of tackling hygiene poverty, we need your support. 

Challenge Hygiene Poverty

We believe it is not right that in 21st century Ireland many are being forced to choose between heating their homes, paying their rent or buying hygiene items. In order to fulfill our mission of tackling hygiene poverty, we need your support. 
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Support Us

Hike for Hygiene

Taking part in a Hike for Hygiene to fundraise in aid of the Hygiene Bank Ireland. You can donate to an existing one, or set up your own with your friends and family. You can sign up to create your own here or donate to an existing one here.

Host a Hygiene Drive

Host a hygiene drive among your friends, colleagues or club and make a once-off bulk donation of hygiene items to your local project who will distribute the items to a local organisation who needs them. To host a drive contact us here.

Volunteer

We are always looking for volunteers to get involved in different ways. You can volunteer with your local project as a donation coordinator, or set up a project in your area if there isn’t one, or volunteer with our head office team if you have experience in marketing, finance or management. To join us, sign up here.

Donate items

We are always in need of hygiene items. Our most requested items are shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes and razors. You can find your nearest drop off point through our interactive map here.

Write to your local representative

Hygiene poverty is a hidden form of poverty affecting nearly 50% of the population, and yet no one seems to know about it. We need more politicians to know about it so please consider sending this letter to your local Cllr and TDs, we even have one letter kids can send.

Donate financially

We are an entirely volunteer led organisation and so any donation received goes directly to helping provide hygiene items to those who need them. You can donate directly to us here. Why not consider setting up a monthly donation?

National Hygiene Week 2022

Hike for Hygiene

The time has come to get your walking shoes on! This year we are hosting our third annual Hike for Hygiene. For our annual extravaganza, we ask everyone and anyone to set themselves a challenge local to them and get your friends and family to sponsor you, all proceeds going to The Hygiene Bank Ireland so we can continue helping those in need across the country.
If you are unable to join us on the day, we have good news! You can still get involved by donating to one of the many fundraisers happening across Ireland.