When it comes to hand hygiene, drying our hands is just as crucial as washing them. And turns out that a blast of warm air might not be the best option for getting rid of all germs, potentially putting health and safety at risk in your facility.

 

Let's explore why jet air hand dryers might not be as hygienic as many people think and why hand paper towels are the better choice, especially for businesses where hygiene is critical.

According to research by The Mayo Clinic, bacteria is more likely to spread through wet skin than dry, even if proper handwashing procedures have been followed up until the drying stage. [1]

 

Sometimes, when rushing around, your employees and guests might just shake the water from their hands into the sink a few times in an attempt to dry them, then carry on with their day. Unknowingly, they’re potentially causing germs to spread from their wet hands to other areas. 

 

The best way to avoid this is by drying hands with a clean paper towel and disposing of it properly, which limits the transmission of germs through contaminated skin. That, in turn, reduces the risk of illness. 

 

This is why it is so important for you to provide restroom users at your facility with the most hygienic hand-drying option to promote their safety and health.  

Jet air dryers might seem like a convenient option, but they can potentially be unhygienic. These machines create a high-speed air flow, which can cause bacteria and viruses to become airborne and spread around the room. Studies from The Society for Applied Microbiology have shown that hand dryer germs can travel as far as 2 meters away, potentially landing on other people and surfaces. [2] So, while their hands might feel dry, your employees and visitors could be unintentionally contributing to a less sanitary work environment.

 

In business areas where hygiene is critical like hospitals or food prep zones, choosing paper hand towels is particularly important to reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses that can cause healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and foodborne illnesses.

Using paper hand towels after proper handwashing physically removes germs from hands as you wipe them dry. This means that when properly disposed of, paper towels can limit the spread of bacteria and viruses. In fact, a soap and water handwash followed by drying with paper towels removes 99.9% of bacteria.*

 

Best news is, you can even provide a touchless hand-drying experience with our extensive range of Tork Matic® paper hand towel dispensers. These sensor dispensers are designed so that users only touch the towel they need, limiting the spread of germs. 

Using paper hand towels can be just as mindful of the environment as other hand drying methods.

 

You can achieve this by opting for paper hand towels made from renewable, recyclable, or recycled fibers. Making this eco-friendly choice can help reduce environmental impact and boost your business’s sustainable practices. 

 

At Tork, we take the use of renewable materials one step further, with 90% of our packaging being made from recyclable materials such as paper and cardboard. Better still, Tork paper hand towel dispensers are designed for one-at-a-time consumption, cutting down on overuse and waste. 

The same United Minds survey also revealed that nearly 7 in 10 participants wished more facilities offered paper hand towels as an alternative to jet air dryers. [3] Their reasons range from more effective hand drying to fear of germ transmission, with 73% admitting they use paper towels to avoid touching other surfaces in public bathrooms. [3]

 

These statistics show that your employees and guests are likely to feel safer and more comfortable drying their hands with disposable paper towels than with air dryers. 

While some hand dryer units can be bulky and visually disruptive, at Tork, we pride ourselves on not only providing high-quality hygiene products but also paper hand towel dispensers that are as sleek and stylish as they are effective. 

 

Our paper towel dispensers are available in a range of sizes and styles, allowing you to match your facility’s decoration as well as your existing commercial restroom fixtures, such as hand soap and toilet paper dispensers. 

Paper hand towels offer a level of versatility that air dryers simply can’t match. Beyond their primary use for drying hands, disposable paper towels can serve many additional purposes across various settings, enhancing overall hygiene and convenience at your facility.

 

In the absence of napkins or wipers, your employees and visitors could use paper hand towels to turn off the faucet after handwashing, touch door handles, clean up after meals, wipe down workstations, or handle small spills and messes that occur throughout the day. This supports a cleaner and more hygienic work environment, which is crucial for employee health and productivity.

 

If your facility runs out of facial tissues, paper hand towels can take on hygiene and personal care tasks such as blowing noses, adjusting make-up, or helping with medical needs. This helps ensure that bacteria is contained and disposed of immediately, reducing the risk of spreading infections. 

 

 

 

 

 

Bottom line is that while hand dryers might seem like a modern and convenient option for hand hygiene, their potential to spread bacteria and viruses makes them less than ideal. Not to mention they provide a less comfortable restroom experience for your guests and employees. On the other hand, paper hand towels offer a more effective solution for drying hands, reducing the risk of contamination and promoting safer hygiene practices. Plus, they provide comfort and multiple uses, while jet air hand dryers only do one task. So next time you're faced with the choice, remember that Tork paper hand towels and paper towel dispensers are created with your business’s efficiency and hygiene needs in mind.

 

 

 

For more tips on maintaining effective hand hygiene in your facility, find useful information for your employees in our article on how to wash your hands properly at work.

 

 * Based on a modified version of industry standard method (EN1499), tested with E.coli. using Tork Mild Soap refill art. 420501 and Tork PeakServe refill art. 100589

[1] Huang C, Ma W, Stack S. The hygienic efficacy of different hand-drying methods: a review of the evidence. Mayo Clin Proc. 2012 Aug;87(8):791-8. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2012.02.019. Epub 2012 May 31. PMID: 22656243; PMCID: PMC3538484.

 

[2] Kimmitt PT, Redway KF. Evaluation of the potential for virus dispersal during hand drying: a comparison of three methods. J Appl Microbiol. 2016 Feb;120(2):478-86. doi: 10.1111/jam.13014. PMID: 26618932.

 

[3] 2021 Tork survey, conducted by United Minds in cooperation with CINT in March 2021. The survey covered 7 markets China, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, UK and US with a total of 7063 respondents (global average).