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Last Updated on December 12, 2022
We all know that washing our hands is important to avoid catching contagious illnesses – but did you know that how you dry your hands and use hand dryers is also important to stop the spread of germs?
According to research, bacteria is more likely to spread from wet hands than dry hands – which means that hand drying is as important as hand washing.
Washing your hands may discourage the spread of germs, but if you’re not drying your hands properly, those germs may not be eliminated entirely.
If you’re responsible for the maintenance of public restrooms or common areas, you may want to start thinking about what hand drying options are available in your facilities – and how some tools are better than others when it comes to preventing the spread of illnesses.
By the end of this article you’ll know:
- Which hand drying method is better?
- What should you look for when buying a commercial hand dryer
- The commercial hand dryer that removes bacteria from the air
- How to equip your public restrooms with the best hand drying options
(Reader: This article may come across a little dry – but we promise it’s worth your time. 😂)
From hand dryers to paper towels: Which hand drying methods are “better”?
When it comes to which hand drying method is best, expert opinions differ.
Some studies have argued that paper towel or cloth hand drying is superior at drying hands as well as eliminating germs. But what about waste, cost and sustainability?
Other studies have shown that old-fashioned commercial hand dryers can sometimes collect bacteria from the air and blow it out on washed hands.
But does this mean that paper towel options are the better option? Or does it just mean that the commercial hand drying technology of yesterday wasn’t up to today’s hygiene standards?
In fact, it’s a myth that all hand dryers disperse dirty bathroom air and bacteria.
If only there was a super hygienic type of commercial hand dryer that could remove bacteria from the air.
Actually – there is. Keep reading to learn all about it!
What should you look for when considering hand drying options?
The great debate of hand drying is: paper or machine?
While studies differ on which one is more effective from a hygiene standpoint, there are other criteria like cost, carbon footprint and foot traffic to take into account when selecting the best hand drying technology for public washrooms.
Let’s start with the cons of each option:
Paper Towel Hand Drying | Air Blowing Hand Dryers |
Using paper is less eco-friendly. Paper waste creates more work for maintenance and janitorial staff to clean up (especially in busy public restrooms). Paper towels need to be continually filled. | Commercial hand dryers may break down over time if they don’t have regular maintenance. Some commercial hand dryer models may contain germs and bacteria if not professionally sanitized at regular intervals. |
For professional sanitization and maintenance services of commercial hand dryers, inquire here.
There are several things that any restroom maintenance manager needs to consider when making the hand drying decisions for a restroom.
When looking at paper towel options, you’ll need to consider:
- How efficient and eco-friendly are your hand drying options in a busy restroom?
- How many janitorial staff do you have on hand to clean up the paper that inevitably lands on the floor around the waste bin.
- Does your restroom design include space for bulky waste paper bins?
- Are you looking to decrease absenteeism through reducing contact with contaminated materials?
When exploring commercial hand dryer options, there are some different considerations
- How noisy is the machine – and how close to the offices are the restrooms?
- How economic is it to operate these machines regularly on a budget?
- How successful is your hand dryer at eliminating germs from the air in a busy public restroom?
The commercial hand dryer that removes bacteria from the air
If the technology existed to dry hands at the same time as eliminating germs and bacteria from the air in public washrooms, would you use it?
Take a look at the splash Citron Hygiene has made with our new hand drying technology that really does eliminate germs from the air of even the busiest public restrooms: The Pebble+.
A high-quality, eco-friendly, low-cost option now exists to help stop the spread of contagious illnesses in public restroom settings by removing bacteria from the air with specialized technology.
See the Pebble+ in action:
Pebble+ – The Hand Dryer That Cleans the Air
To combat the spread of germs, the Citron Hygiene Pebble+ uses a combination of UV lighting, silver ions, HEPA filters, and more.
The Pebble+ has been called an “innovative hygiene solution” and is being promoted by other companies who want to see the trend of eco-friendly and germ-killing equipment continue.
How to equip your washrooms with the best hand dryer
Citron Hygiene is dedicated to providing public and workplace washrooms with an elevated hygiene experience.
Our hand hygiene solutions target 80% of the cold and flu germs that spread by our hands – which means that you’ll be able to help keep your colleagues healthy during the cold and flu season to avoid a major impact on revenue caused by sick leaves.
We’d love to hear from you about your particular restroom needs. How can we elevate your experience today? Speak with a Citron Hygiene representative to schedule a free professional consultation today.
