Are Warm Hand Dryers More or Less Hygienic?

Without an adequate means to dry hands, research shows that the risk of contamination increases due to the transfer of pathogens. The responsibility of any business owner is to provide those means to patrons, so your restrooms are more sanitary and safe for everyone. In this article, we will review the top question most business owners ask before making a final investment decision: are warm hand dryers more or less hygienic than paper towels? Not all hand-drying methods are created equal, so we examine independent studies and findings to help you decide which might be the better solution for your commercial facility.

Automatic hand dryers are more hygienically sound than push-button models. Infrared sensors eliminate the need for contact, resulting in decreased levels of contact-associated contamination. In exploration of the question “are warm hand dryers more or less hygienic,” it is essential to compare their efficacy to alternative hand-drying methods. According to an article written by research students at the School of Public Health and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation at Queensland University of Technology, paper towels are better equipped to reduce bacterial transfer and contamination in healthcare environments. Furthermore, the transmission of bacteria is more likely to occur from wet hands than from dry hands. Mayo Clinic Proceedings supplements these findings with results that show hot air dryers can take upwards of 45 seconds to reduce residual water. Residual water is only reduced down to three percent after 45 seconds of operating time. Are warm hand dryers more or less hygienic? The answer depends on the type of facility you manage. If your public restroom is located in a healthcare environment or setting where hygiene is paramount, you may want to consider paper towels or cloths instead.

Taking longevity, durability, and the energy used to create their respective materials into account, hand dryers do cost less to operate overall, but there are advantages and disadvantages to hygiene in making what you may consider the “greener choice.” Handwashing is one of our best defenses against the microbial transfer of disease-causing bacteria, but less is publicized about the significance of hand-drying. If you have any questions about this article or need help finding the best solution for your commercial restroom, please contact PandaProducts.com today.