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Restroom Hand Dryers – Are They Really Clean and Sanitary?

There are a lot of debates for the past few years regarding bathroom cleanliness. Among the top concerns are about what can be considered as the best and most preferred method when it comes to cleaning your hands every time you use a public restroom. There are even some issues about the risks of possible contamination because of restroom hand dryers.

How sanitary are hand dryers, then?

If you are a facility owner or manager, it is important to offer a healthy and clean environment for everyone working or operating within your space. Below are some important things you should know when it comes to hand dryers and cleanliness in restrooms. 

What Makes Hand Dryers and Bathrooms Unsanitary?

Toilets are lidless in most office or public restrooms. Every times someone flushes the toilet, the fecal particles are spread several to the air in aerosolized form called toilet plume. The contaminated cloud can spread up and outward that eventually settles with bacteria that land on nearby surfaces like people, floors, walls, handles, faucets, countertops, and sinks. There are even plumes that can reach up to a height of 15 feet.

One more area where these contaminants land is in and on restroom hand dryers. The moment the hand dryer is activated, the machine takes in the restroom’s ambient air that is often filled with the aerosolized fecal particles as well as other forms of contaminants. The hand dryer will then blow the contaminated air over the hands of someone who uses the machines to dry them.

Steps and Best Practices for Proper Hand Washing

Using water and soap is the most effective way for cleaning your hands. This will involve lathering your hands through vigorously rubbing them together for a minimum of 20 seconds. Proper steps for hand washing include rubbing between the fingers, the back of the hands, and under the nails. If there is no water and soap available, it is recommended to use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Through washing your hands the right way and encouraging all of your employees to also do the same, this will help create much cleaner environment. Doing so reduces the spread of bacteria, diseases, and germs on shared common surfaces like door handles, elevator buttons, countertops, and hand-activated hand dryers. When the right steps for hand washing are followed, this means that bacteria, germs, and other kinds of contaminants won’t blow off your hands and on the rest of the surfaces.

Improve Sanitation of Your Restrooms

Whether you like it or not, germs, bacteria, and other contaminants can be found in all restrooms. To help with regular upkeep and improve sanitation practices, it is recommended to use newer and automatic types of hand dryers that can lessen cross contamination. You can also look for one equipped with HEPA filtration systems and antimicrobial technology. 

At Courtesy Building Services Inc, all cleaning experts are certified and trained in industry standard practices for cleaning. The team will help ensure that your facility’s restrooms will stay clean and sanitized each and every time.