« All Events

National Hygiene Week
Awareness weekon now, until 11 October

National Hygiene Week 2026

Monday 5 October to Sunday 11 October 2026 · dates set by the organiser each year

National Hygiene Week 2026 takes place from Monday 5 October to Sunday 11 October 2026.

Health & WellbeingUK

Also on 5 October: World Teachers Day · World Habitat Day · Public Health Workforce Week

Official site: thehygienebank.com ↗

Add to calendarWhat else is on in October →
Xfin@

What is National Hygiene Week?

National Hygiene Week 2026 takes place from Monday 5 October to Sunday 11 October 2026. The week is run by The Hygiene Bank charity to raise awareness of hygiene poverty in the UK, the experience of being unable to afford or access basic hygiene items like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and period products. Fundraising and donation drives during the week directly supply The Hygiene Bank’s network of distribution partners.

National Hygiene Week is a UK awareness and fundraising week led by The Hygiene Bank, a charity founded in 2018 to address hygiene poverty. It is supported by businesses, schools, retailers, and individual fundraisers, with proceeds and product donations channelled through The Hygiene Bank’s distribution partners, which include food banks, refuges, and community projects.

When is National Hygiene Week?

National Hygiene Week 2026 runs from Monday 5 October to Sunday 11 October 2026. The week is held annually in October, with the exact dates confirmed by The Hygiene Bank each year.

Plan around National Hygiene Week and every key date in October

The Awareness Days Toolkit puts every awareness day for 2026 and 2027 in a spreadsheet, printable PDF calendars and an iCal feed that keeps itself up to date.

Get the Toolkit, £39/year →30-day money-back guarantee · Cancel anytime

Why National Hygiene Week Matters

Hygiene poverty is a hidden crisis. The Hygiene Bank’s 2024 research, conducted with YouGov, suggested that an estimated 4.2 million adults in the UK had cut back on personal hygiene products because of cost in the previous year, and 2.8 million people had experienced period poverty. Going without soap, deodorant, or sanitary products affects mental health, dignity, school attendance, and employment. Children miss school. Adults skip job interviews. Older people stop seeing friends. National Hygiene Week exists to highlight the scale of the problem, dispel the shame around it, and stock the shelves of charities that distribute hygiene essentials all year round.

How to Get Involved in National Hygiene Week

The Hygiene Bank provides free fundraising packs, posters, and social graphics. Try one or several of the following:

  • Donate hygiene essentials – Buy unopened, in-date toiletries and drop them at a Hygiene Bank collection point. Items always in demand include shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, period products, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and razors.
  • Run a workplace collection – Set up a donation point in the office, factory, or store. The Hygiene Bank’s website lists local distribution partners that will collect or receive donations.
  • Fundraise as a team – Cake sales, sponsored runs, and dress-up days all raise meaningful money. Use a JustGiving page linked to The Hygiene Bank.
  • Support period dignity – Period poverty is one of the most acute forms of hygiene poverty. Donate menstrual products to local schools, refuges, or charities.
  • Contact your MP – Hygiene poverty is a political issue. Use The Hygiene Bank’s templates to write to your MP about VAT on hygiene products, school provision, and benefits adequacy.
  • Set up a swap shop – Encourage colleagues to bring unused hygiene items they bought but did not get on with. Donate the surplus to The Hygiene Bank.
  • Volunteer at a project – The Hygiene Bank has more than 50 local projects across the UK. Many welcome regular volunteers who help sort and pack donations.
  • Spread the word – Share the campaign on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook using #NationalHygieneWeek. Open conversations about hygiene poverty break the silence around it.

History of National Hygiene Week

The Hygiene Bank was founded in 2018 by Lizzy Hall, who had been moved by reading Stephanie Land’s book Maid and wanted to do something practical to address hygiene poverty in her own community. From a modest collection point in West Sussex, the charity has grown into a UK-wide network with distribution partners in more than 350 community projects.

National Hygiene Week was launched as the charity’s flagship awareness moment, designed to drive both donations and conversation. The first official week brought together volunteer-run collection points, business partners such as Boots, the Co-op, and Cleanology, and high-profile supporters including journalist Sali Hughes, who has campaigned alongside Beauty Banks on the same issue.

The campaign has been mentioned in Early Day Motions in the UK Parliament and has been endorsed by Public Health Wales, which runs its own complementary National Hygiene Week activities. Each year the campaign theme highlights a specific aspect of hygiene poverty, from period dignity to the experiences of older people and unpaid carers.

Noteworthy Facts About National Hygiene Week

  • National Hygiene Week was founded in 2018 by The Hygiene Bank, a charity established by Lizzy Hall in West Sussex.
  • The Hygiene Bank now operates more than 350 distribution projects across the UK, working with food banks, refuges, schools, and community groups.
  • The Hygiene Bank’s research suggests around 4.2 million UK adults have cut back on hygiene products because of cost.
  • Roughly 2.8 million people in the UK experience period poverty, with women and girls disproportionately affected.
  • The week has been raised in the UK Parliament through Early Day Motions and is supported by Public Health Wales.

Hashtags

#NationalHygieneWeek#EndHygienePoverty
Written by the Awareness Days editorial team · Last updated 13 July 2026 · Official website

Frequently asked questions

What is National Hygiene Week?

National Hygiene Week is a UK awareness and fundraising week run by The Hygiene Bank charity to highlight hygiene poverty and collect essential products for people who cannot afford them.

When is National Hygiene Week in 2026?

National Hygiene Week 2026 runs from Monday 5 October to Sunday 11 October 2026.

What can I donate during National Hygiene Week?

Donate unopened, in-date toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, and period products. The Hygiene Bank’s website lists drop-off points and current priority items.

More awareness days in October

See all →
5 Oct5 OctMondayOctober Awareness DaysUK, US, Australia and worldwideWorld Teachers Day 2026UK, US, Australia and worldwide · Mon 5 Oct10 Oct10 OctSaturdayHealth & WellbeingInternationalWorld Mental Health Day 2026International · Sat 10 Oct14–20 OctWeek14 Oct to 20 OctWeekFood & NutritionInternationalNational Baking Week 2026International · 14–20 Oct31 Oct31 OctSaturdaySeasonalUK, US, Australia and worldwideHalloweenUK, US, Australia and worldwide · Sat 31 Oct1–31 OctMonth1 Oct to 31 OctMonthCommunityUKBlack History MonthUK · 1–31 Oct1–31 OctMonth1 Oct to 31 OctMonthCancerUK, US, Australia and worldwideBreast Cancer Awareness Month 2026UK, US, Australia and worldwide · 1–31 Oct1 Oct1 OctThursdayFood & NutritionUK, US, Australia and worldwideInternational Coffee Day 2026UK, US, Australia and worldwide · Thu 1 Oct1–7 OctWeek1 Oct to 7 OctWeekFood & NutritionInternationalNational Vegetarian Week 2026International · 1–7 Oct

Also on 5 October

See all 5 October events →