Paper towels or air dryers, which is the most hygienic option?
Now, more than ever before, we know the importance of good hand hygiene. It is one of the biggest defenses we have in preventing the spread of germs and viruses. When it comes to providing your guests with the most hygienic hand washing options possible, which is best; paper towel or air dryers?
Pros and cons
While paper towel can be made from recycled products, it still contributes to landfills. And over time, air dryers could contribute to landfills less than paper towel, although air dryers do produce ongoing gas emissions. Some washrooms could also echo a larger noise from air dryers, while paper is relatively quiet. Air dryers require less space than paper towel and a rubbish bin, although they do require maintenance to keep them operating smoothly.
With so many pros and cons, it is tricky to know which would be best for your business. The biggest question is, which is more hygienic out of paper towel and air dryers?
Paper Towel
With so many variations of paper towel to choose from, it can be tricky to know which one is best for your business. The two most common options are made from virgin materials or recycled materials. The quality of virgin paper can feel softer and usually is more gentle on skin, although it is usually more costly than recycled paper. Recycled paper may not be as soft as virgin paper, although it is usually more biodegradable and a better option for the environment.
Air Dryers
Air dryers give the illusion of being more hygienic because there is “no-touching” required. However, the air that dries hands is circulated from around you, directly onto your hands. Meaning, if there are germs in the air, then they are being blasted directly onto your hands.
Some facts to consider
If given the same amount of time to dry hands, paper towel is more effective. A study found that air dryers can spread over 1,000 times more bacteria than paper towel.
Transmission of germs is more likely to occur from wet skin, than from dry skin. This makes drying hands equally as important as washing them.
It has been estimated that poor hand hygiene compliance contributes to cross-infection, by as much as 40% of cases within healthcare that are associated infections.
Hand dryers create more noise than paper towel, and some can even be as loud as a heavy truck passing 3m away. Although this will vary depending on the size and echo within a washroom.
Weighing up the financial costs
Even if there is a clear winner between paper towel and air dryers, the cost still needs to be considered. Air dryers are more expensive up front, although a paper towel dispenser will have ongoing stock costs. Overall, air driers could be more cost effective in the long run.
Environmental Impact
The environmental impact made by a product will vary from product and brand. Some paper towels are treated with chemicals to prevent the paper from falling apart when absorbing water. In some cases, when paper comes into contact with fluids, it can contaminate the recycling process. Some paper towel is made with a focus on being biodegradable.
Some air dryers will produce emissions of 20 to 80 grams of carbon dioxide per use. Some studies would suggest that air dryers have less environmental impact than paper towel.
What do your guests think?
People feel more comfortable in washrooms that offer paper towel instead of air dryers. In fact, 70% of people wish more facilities offered paper towel as an alternative to air dryers. Especially now, after the events of 2020, paper towel is the preferred option as people feel it dries hands quicker and does not spread bacteria in the air.
To sum it all up!
So which is better, paper towel or air dryers? Air dryers are not as effective as paper towel when removing germs from wet hands. People do not use air dryers long enough, for their hands to be left completely dry either. This leads to them spreading bacteria when in contact with touch-points such as doors and counter surfaces.
In cases when air dryers are the only option, we suggest carrying a travel sized portion of hand sanitiser that can be used instead.
Our top pick for small washrooms
Livi Basics 1ply hand towel is made from virgin paper. Each sheet measures 230mm x 225mm. It fits perfectly in the Interleave Towel Dispenser which helps control usage and keep your washroom tidy. The dispenser is also lockable to avoid pilferage.
Our top pick for large washrooms
Virtue Plus Sense Towel Dispenser is designed to be touch free for the most hygienic operation and features a built-in senser that recognises hands. The paper is automatically rolled off and cut to the exact length. A LED light indicates when the battery is running out. If the lower paper roll is empty then the dispenser automatically starts to use the top roll. Once half of the upper roll has been used it moves automatically into the lower position to make room for the next refill, so it appears “never empty”.
This dispenser is ideal for Virtue Plus Multi-roll hand towel that is 100% recycled material. Only one sheet is required and it is EU Eco Label Approved. It is pure white, micro-embossed and has a paper quality stamp. Each roll of Multi-roll hand towel measures 205 metres.
Information within this blog about paper towel vs air dryers, has been sourced from our supplier partners.
