11 Jun 2025
From the very beginning, back when smol was just a handful of laundry customers and a dream to clean up the cleaning industry… we knew we also wanted to give back.
Not just through cleaning products that were lighter on the planet, but by doing our bit to support people who were struggling through hygiene poverty.
That’s why we started donating to The Hygiene Bank charity in 2019.
smol beginnings.
Back then it was a few boxes of laundry capsules going to one of their local projects in Tenterden and Cranbrook. Today? It's a full-blown partnership that’s helped distribute millions of donated washes to people experiencing hygiene poverty across the UK.
And the impact keeps growing.
more than just a donation.
We're proud of our Donate a Wash scheme, which enables customers to gift laundry capsules to those who need them most. Every one of those washes goes straight to The Hygiene Bank, who distribute essential hygiene products to schools, community groups and charities.
But our partnership goes way beyond products.
As Ruth Brock, CEO of The Hygiene Bank puts it:
“What I love about smol is they’re not only committed to sustainability, they’ve taken a bold and courageous stance on hygiene poverty. They understand the dignity and hope that comes with access to the basics. And they’re so truly committed. From offering customers the chance to donate a wash, to campaigning alongside us to put hygiene poverty on the national agenda.”
raising our voices together.
From co-creating campaigns that called on the Government’s Child Poverty Taskforce to act, to spotlighting the reality of hygiene poverty across the country, we've worked closely with The Hygiene Bank to keep this issue in the public eye. The work this charity does is unparalleled when it comes to tackling this issue at the grassroots level. We couldn’t be more proud to get involved wherever we can.
As Amy Harris, their Head of Brand and Corporate Partnerships explains:
“smol has been supporting us since the early days. They were one of our first strategic partners and now support us across multiple campaigns every year. Their commitment is authentic and long-term and we’re so grateful for the awareness they raise, not just the products they provide.”
Working so closely with this incredible charity has opened up more avenues for smol and our customers to really make a big difference. Not least of these is Suds in Schools.
sparking something bigger.
Suds in Schools was born as a direct result of having our eyes opened to the frustrating reality of hygiene poverty thanks to the work of The Hygiene Bank.
With hygiene poverty affecting families everywhere (including those in work) we saw a new opportunity to help, specifically with children throughout their journey in education. Because the fact is, children become excluded and bullied at school when they experience hygiene poverty and they’ll miss many more days of education as a result.
Together with The Hygiene Bank, we piloted the first ever mini launderette in a UK school, giving children access to clean uniforms (and a boost to their confidence).
Amy recalls:
“The very first Suds in Schools happened in Blackpool with one of our projects. smol donated the washer-dryer, and all the detergent. That pilot’s now been replicated across the UK with over 100 machines in place.”
The Hygiene Bank’s expertise has been invaluable in getting this off the ground.
looking ahead together.
So, what’s next?
And we feel exactly the same. At smol, we’re excited to keep growing this partnership. From donating even more washes and helping more families, to supporting future campaigns that push hygiene poverty higher up the national agenda. And of course, we want to bring even more free-to-use school launderettes to life across the UK.
Because the more we do together, the more lives we can change.
For Ruth, the future is full of potential:
“I believe there’s so much we can accomplish together. We want to keep raising awareness and sparking conversations, particularly around the idea that hygiene is a basic human right, not a luxury. I can’t wait to see what we achieve next.”
And we feel exactly the same. At smol, we’re excited to keep growing this partnership. From donating even more washes and helping more families, to supporting future campaigns that push hygiene poverty higher up the national agenda. And of course, we want to bring even more free-to-use school launderettes to life across the UK.
Because the more we do together, the more lives we can change.
and on a personal note…
Turns out, The Hygiene Bank employees love smol just as much as we love working with them.
Ruth is a big fan of the stain-fighting power of our laundry capsules (especially on her three-year-old’s muddy clothes) and also loves our plant-powered washing up liquid:
“It smells delightful, degreases beautifully, and it’s pink! Which is an extra bonus.”
As for Amy, she’s been a smol customer from the very beginning:
“The stain remover is absolutely incredible. But I also love the scent-free laundry detergent. My daughters had eczema when they were little and it was the only one we could use.”
We’re proud that people who know the impact of hygiene poverty first-hand choose smol for their own homes.
Here’s to clean clothes, clean homes, and a cleaner, fairer future. One wash at a time.