Paper Towels Vs. Hand Dryers: Which is More Sanitary & Sustainable

Handwashing is one of the simplest and most important ways to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria, and yet many people wash and dry their hands ineffectively, especially when in public restrooms. Research shows 95% of adults fail to wash their hands long enough, leaving behind bacteria and germs.

Even when handwashing is done correctly, the drying process can either minimize remaining germs or spread them onto surrounding surfaces. While many businesses made the switch to hand dryers in the 80’s and 90’s, many hospitals, schools and restaurants are switching back to paper towels. And for good reason.

In this blog, we will dive deep into the age-old question… which is more sanitary and sustainable, paper towels or jet hand dryers?

Which is More Sanitary?

When visiting a public restroom, oftentimes visitors are in a hurry—whether at work, a restaurant, an airport or a retailer. Some may speed-wash their hands, often not for long enough to remove the majority of germs and bacteria. When encountering a hand dryer, most people spend 30-seconds or less drying compared to the 60-seconds that are actually needed to completely dry one’s hands. That means those remaining bacteria that thrive in wet conditions are then passed onto the doorknob, clothing or the future surfaces touched, where they continue to multiply and spread.

But surfaces aren’t the only problem. Hand dryers send 1,300 times more germs into the air when compared to paper towels. Those germs can stick around up to 15 minutes after the dryer is used. Research found that 52% of hand dryers had coliform bacteria on them, which is associated with feces. This same bacterium was not found on any of the tested paper towel dispensers.

Paper towels are the more hygienic choice when compared to hand dryers, hard stop. When using a paper towel to dry one’s hands, the friction created can remove up to 77% of the remaining bacteria that washing too quickly leaves behind. The germs and bacteria are passed onto the paper towel and disposed of in the trash, which minimizes their spread.

Which is More Sustainable?

Not all restroom paper towels are created equal. Businesses are looking for something that is effective enough to dry hands quickly and available at a low cost-per-use. And it’s possible to achieve both with products made from recycled fibers. Mayfair® Hard Roll Paper Towels are highly absorbent, unbleached for reduced environmental impact and made using up to 100% recycled fibers. When businesses choose a sustainable paper towel option, especially with an automatic, hands-free dispenser that can decrease the chances of overuse, they can feel good about their choice. In doing so, businesses improve overall customer satisfaction too. Research shows 90% of people prefer paper towels over jet air dryers.

Sure, paper towels take energy and water to produce, and are disposed of after use, but that material can be recycled into future products. And jet hand dryers aren’t without their own environmental impact. They are made from plastics, metals and costly electronic components that will require servicing and replacement over the years. They require electricity to operate, which can also add up fast.

If your facility is looking to stop the spread of germs and keep employees, shoppers and visitors healthy, paper towels are the right choice. By choosing sustainably made Mayfair® Paper Towels, businesses can nearly eliminate the need for virgin fibers in their paper towels, making it an even smarter choice. Shop our full line of restroom solutions.