Original Article by Feeding America cited below

Summary by Simply the Basics

A study conducted by feeding America found that many Americans struggle to afford their basic hygiene needs. In the study, the researchers collected data on not only the difficulty of fulfilling hygiene needs, but they also collected data on the prioritizing of different hygiene needs when complete fulfillment is not a possibility. Additionally, the study highlighted methods families have developed to maintain personal hygiene while avoiding the price tag of personal hygiene products. Below are some relevant figures

•  Three in four families (74 percent) who are unable to afford household necessities skip washing dishes or doing laundry.

• Sixty-three percent of families prioritize washing only the children's clothes in an effort to promote good hygiene among their children.

•  One-third of families unable to afford household goods report bathing without soap (33 percent) or reusing diapers (32 percent) in order to get by without these basic necessities.

• Some families also substitute specific household goods for others, such as using shampoo as dish soap or baking soda as deodorant.

Citation: “New Study Reveals Many American Families Struggle to Afford Basic Personal Care Items and Household Goods.” Feeding America, 19 Sept. 2013, www.feedingamerica.org/about-us/press-room/new-study-reveals-many-american-families-struggle-to-afford-basic-personal-care-items-and-household-goods.