Why Paper Towel Might Be Better Than Hand Dryers for Your Organization

Washing your hands is one of the most effective ways to eliminate harmful bacteria, a critical practice for everyone, but especially in foodservice and healthcare environments. Did you know that how you dry your hands is just as important as washing your hands?

Let’s explore:

• The differences between paper towels and hand dryers.
• Break down common misconceptions.
• Reveal why paper towels might be the superior choice for both hygiene and sustainability.

Hand dryer vs. Paper towel

Let’s clear the air here, there are many ways to dry your hands after washing them, but they are not the same. Here are a few key differences between hand dryers and paper towels.

Addressing misconceptions about paper towel.

While both paper towel and hand dryers may appear just as effective as one another. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of using paper towel.

Is paper towel bad for the environment?

Recycled paper towels like Kruger PRO’s eco-friendly options, offer a low-waste, low-energy solution for drying hands. Unlike many automatic hand dryers, which require energy to operate, recycled paper towels have a smaller environmental footprint while still getting the job done efficiently.

Are hand dryers more hygienic than paper towel?

Research shows that jet hand dryers disperse up to 190 times the number of bacteria into the environment than paper towel ¹; drying your hands with paper towels can reduce almost three times the bacteria.²

This is a significant difference, particularly in environments where cleanliness is paramount. Additionally, paper towels offer an added layer of protection: they can be used to turn off taps and open doors, reducing the risk of recontamination from other bathroom surfaces.

Making a decision: Paper towel or hand dryers?

When it comes to choosing between paper towels and hand dryers, paper towels are the smarter option. Paper towels provide better bacteria reduction without compromising hand drying effectiveness. So, whether you’re managing a foodservice business or simply aiming to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness, paper towels are the smart, reliable choice.

¹ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-dirty-truth-about-hand-dryers

² https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/health/hand-dryers-or-paper-towel-question