Study Says Ditch The Hand Dryer...

5th June 2013

Did you know damp hands spread up to 1,000 more times bacteria than dry hands?

Scientists have worked out the best way to dry your hands – and paper towels win – hands down!

A recent study has found paper towels are more efficient because they dry hands quicker and prevent the transfer of germs.  It appears that paper towels not only dry hands quicker than electric driers, but they are also more hygienic.

While the importance of washing hands is obvious, the benefits may be undone if they are not dried properly. This is because wet hands are better at passing on germs than dry ones, according to biomedical scientist Cunrui Huang.

His review of 12 studies found that overall, paper towels were “superior”. One study found they leave hands 96% dry after just 10 seconds, and after 15 seconds, the hands were 99% dry.

By contrast a drier takes at least 45 seconds. The amount of time is important because most people spend only a few seconds drying their hands. Another study found men spend 17 seconds using hot-air driers and women 13.3 seconds – a fraction of the time needed.

Paper towels also scored high because the rubbing motion may physically remove germs.

Electric hand dryers were also found to blow germs onto the body and into the atmosphere.
Previous research has shown that hand dryers are often contaminated by bacteria in the outlet nozzle and the heat is the perfect temperature to encourage their growth.
This can increase the germs by an astonishing 255% and also lead to the potential spread of organisms such as salmonella and E.coli.

Office Care are proud to provide an innovative cleaning service that offers clients a system that leads to a 99% reduction in bacteria whereas conventional cleaning materials can reduce this number by only 33%.
A strict colour code system that sanitises all areas of your workplace, like our Eco-Zest system, couldn’t be more important after recent findings by Scientists.

Office care also over the provisions of:
Washroom Consumables
Janitorial Products
Window Cleaning
Carpet Cleaning
Deep Cleaning

We are always investing in new equipment and training of staff so we can offer the best commercial cleaning service in the East Midlands. If you would like to ask any questions or like a free quote, email hayley@officecare.uk.com