More than 1 tonne of products donated through Louth Hygiene Hub
Since the establishment of the Louth Hub in early 2025, 1,200kg has been donated throughout Louth thanks to their four volunteers
This September 14–20, Hygiene Hub will mark the sixth National Hygiene Week, its annual nationwide campaign highlighting hygiene poverty and the difficult choices people are being forced to make between essential hygiene products and other basic needs.
The campaign comes as Hygiene Hub experiences unprecedented demand for its services, with 2026 on course to be the charity’s busiest year to date.
There are currently 147 organisations on Hygiene Hub’s waiting list for support, representing an estimated 60,000 people who are waiting to access essential hygiene products.
Demand is also accelerating. In the first six months of 2026 alone, 72 organisations applied for support, compared with 110 during the whole of 2025.
At the same time, the average monthly cost of essential hygiene products has risen by 31% since 2021, putting everyday items such as shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste increasingly out of reach for households already under financial pressure.
Hygiene poverty is the inability to afford essential personal care and household hygiene products that many people take for granted.
Hygiene Hub has distributed more than 138,000kg of essential hygiene products since its establishment, with an estimated financial value of more than €800,000, through its network of community partners across Ireland.
Since the establishment of the Louth Hub in early 2025, 1,200kg has been donated throughout Louth thanks to their four volunteers.
There are six Drop-off Points in Louth, with the Louth Hub supporting four Community Partners, with three Community Partners on their waiting list.
In 2025 alone, the charity distributed 35,749kg of products, supporting approximately 100,000 people. This represents a 241% increase in the volume of products distributed compared with 2020, when 10,489kg was donated.
Hygiene Hub has also continued to expand geographically in response to growing need. Hygiene Hub now operates across 13 counties, including two new Hubs supporting Kildare, Meath and Limerick, with a further two areas in development.
Its network of drop-off points has grown from 28 in 2020 to 122 in 2026, while its volunteer base has increased from fewer than 20 people to 95 volunteers nationwide. The organisation has also expanded its staff team to four full-time employees.
Launching National Hygiene Week, Ciára Dalton, Co-Founder of Hygiene Hub, said: "No charity wants to have a waiting list. Behind every one of the 147 organisations currently waiting for support are thousands of people who are going without the essential hygiene items that most of us take for granted.
“We know the need is there, but we also know that, with the support of the public, businesses and communities, we can reduce that waiting list.
“That's why National Hygiene Week matters. It's not just about raising awareness of hygiene poverty – it's about inspiring action.
“Every donation, every fundraiser, every volunteer and every conversation helps us reduce that waiting list and get essential products into the hands of the people who need them most. Together, we can ensure that fewer people have to wait for support.”
During National Hygiene Week, Hygiene Hub is inviting individuals, schools, businesses and community groups across Ireland to get involved by donating products, fundraising or volunteering with their local Hub.
People can support Hygiene Hub by:
- Donating hygiene products at a local drop-off point
- Volunteering with a local Hygiene Hub
- Hosting a one-off hygiene drive at work, school or in their community
- Taking part in or supporting Hike for Hygiene
- Donating through Hygiene Hub’s iDonate fundraising page
To find out more about National Hygiene Week and how to get involved, visit www.hygienehub.ie/nhw.