How to Get Help with Personal Hygiene Products

We all go through seasons in our lives. Some of those seasons have us in the upswing with only minor worries and issues. Others keep us in the downswing with a myriad of problems we never knew could exist. Sometimes, despite what we do, we find ourselves sinking deep in the downswing. This can mean having a very hard time making rent or buying food.

There can be such a strain sometimes that even personal hygiene items like shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, diapers, and feminine hygiene products can be hard to buy. Sure, there is help for food, but SNAP (food stamps) do not buy personal hygiene products. What can you do if you are struggling to afford them? Here are some useful tips on How to Get Help with Personal Hygiene Products.

How to Get Help with Personal Hygiene Products

Check with food banks. Often, people donate diapers, toilet paper, shampoo, deodorant, and other personal goods to food banks. Contact your local food bank and find out what they can help with at the moment.

Ask for help with 211. Most counties have something called “First Call for Help” or something similar. In every county that offers it, just dial 2-1-1 on a landline or cell phone to get connected. This service is a county/community based referral line to find out what is available in your area. Sometimes, they even have funds from local churches to directly help.

Do a little Googling. If you search “household good assistance” plus the name of your community you can often find charities in your area that can help with personal hygiene basics.

Check with the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army has many services to help people avoid homelessness or help them get back on their feet. They offer help with things like household goods and personal hygiene items. Call your local Salvation Army to find out what they offer in your area.

Women’s shelters may be able to help. For needs that are specific to women, such as menstrual products, women’s shelters sometimes have these items to give out. You most likely won’t get a lot, but you will get some to tide you over.

Ask your local shelters. Shelters usually have shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, and tooth brushes to hand out on certain days. Check with your local shelters for times they have available.

Don’t forget Facebook. Facebook can be a great resource. There are many local charities that do not have web pages or a lot of advertising that you may not know about. Just google keywords such as ‘help’, ‘helping’ or ‘free’ with your community name and you will likely find some groups that can help point you in the right direction.

Coupon your way to free stuff. Toilet paper, shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant can often be free if you work couponing right. Make sure you check out these tips for getting free items with coupons and find out how.

Get used to reusable products. It seems like a huge investment at first, but reusable products like menstrual cups and cloth pads can be a budget saver in the long run because you will no longer need to purchase them every month.

Make some of your own. Many beauty and personal hygiene products can be made with simple household ingredients. Check out these recipes for homemade personal care products!

Don’t be afraid to ask where else you can find help. If you are stopping by a charity that can help you with some things, don’t feel like it’s greedy or in poor taste to ask where else you can find help. Most places don’t mind at all and you may even find out about some places that are not well-known.