Push Button and Automatic Hand Dryers Comparison

There are few matters of contention when it comes to choosing the best appliances for a commercial restroom space, but one that continues to puzzle business owners is the decision between push button versus automatic hand dryers. Disease prevention and accessibility should be paramount to your final decision, in addition to the advantages and disadvantages of either form of hand drying. According to a Mayo Foundation study conducted by Elsevier, Inc., the transmission of bacteria is more likely to occur from wet skin than from dry skin, so the act of drying hands is essential to sanitation. Undried hands can cause microbes to translocate to other surfaces that are prone to human contact, so it is necessary to provide an adequate means of drying hands to your patrons or patients.

In a Mayo Clinic review of hygienic efficacy, researchers from the School of Public Health and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation at Queensland University of Technology narrowed effectiveness to four principles:
1. Speed of drying
2. Degree of dryness
3. Effective removal of bacteria
4. Prevention of cross-contamination

Deciding between push button versus automatic hand dryers can be challenging. Hand dryers are an excellent solution for eliminating paper towel waste and valuable resources, but the design decision comes down to protecting health and making your investment last. Push button hand dryers simply require a gentle tap. These models have been in production for decades and present only a few challenges when it comes to mechanical components such as the timer or the push button itself. One of the disadvantages to choosing push button dryers is that they rely on an average drying time of approximately 30 seconds. Your customers may waste energy by pushing the button a second time to dry their hands thoroughly or by barely using the dryer at all.

Many no-touch operation hand dryers include infrared sensor monitors to detect hands in or near the drying alcove, and electronic technology has improved and advanced to the degree that sensor deficiencies are no longer prevalent and can be more reliable than push button hand dryers. Perhaps the greatest consideration in deciding between push button versus automatic hand dryers is the promotion of hygiene by denying bacteria and germs a place to fester.

Careful hand drying is essential to adequate hygiene and the prevention of disease-causing microbes. As technologies advance and research illuminates the realities of contamination, we expect that automatic hand dryers will be more popular in the future. However, push button hand dryers are still widely popular among businesses and public facilities because they are reliable for consistent operation and durability. If you have any questions about our helpful tips and buying guide, please contact a member of the PandaProducts.com team for further assistance.