Most everyone knows that hand washing is the ideal way to limit the spread of germs, especially after using the restroom. The germs we hope to wash away by washing our hands multiply more effectively and efficiently on wet surfaces than on dry surfaces, therefore it is just as important to dry hands completely after washing them. In our previous post we mentioned the transition in many public restrooms to hand-free devices, including that from paper towels to hot air hand dryers. Many prefer the convenience of paper towels while others appreciate the hands-free aspect of air dryers. Both have their perks and draw-backs, but is one method actually better than the other?
Why, yes, one is.
This question was considered by researchers at Queensland University in Brisbane, Australia. Researchers conducted a study in which they tested the hygienic efficacy of various hand drying methods. Here’s what they discovered:
- Hygienically, paper towels are more effective than electronic air dryers.
- Washing hands with paper towels is much quicker than with a hand dryer
- Paper towels reduce residual water on hands to 1% within 15 seconds of drying whereas it takes 45 seconds with air dryers to reduce residual water to just 3%.
- Many grow impatient with the length of time required to completely dry their hands with an electric dryer, or wish not to create a line of people waiting for hand-drying, and end up stopping before their hands are dry. When this happens people either…
- Let their hands air dry, increasing the ability for germs to multiply in the residual water, or
- Wipe their hands on their clothing, which transfers germs between both the hands and the clothing, creating a very unhygienic situation
- Air dryers don’t remove germs but rather spread them around
- Much of the effect of paper towels comes from the friction created when rubbing hands with paper towels, during which much of the bacteria remaining on the hands is transferred from the hands to the paper towel.
- Air dryers don’t create this friction but instead increase air circulation in the restroom which can actually spread around bacteria that is dispersed in a fine mist every time the toilet flushes (gross, we know).
- Paper towels are the preferred method of drying ones hands after washing.
- Washing hands with paper towels is much quicker than with a hand dryer
From all of this data we can see that when given the option, paper towels should be used in place of air dryers for drying hands after washing them. This isn’t to say that air dryers aren’t an effective method for drying hands, they just aren’t as effective. If an air dryer is the only option, just be sure to follow the recommended hand washing technique and commit to spending as much time necessary to dry hands completely.
If you are a business owner looking to take control of the hygiene of your company, contact a representative at Business Hygiene today. We can inform you of the services provided by our company. We understand that sanitation can be a large and daunting task, right down to picking a method for hand-drying, and we want to partner with you in your efforts.
