Are hand dryers really unhygienic?

It’s always been best practice to wash and dry your hands when necessary throughout the day. However, now more than ever, you are likely washing your hands more often than in the past and you want to be sure you are thoroughly and properly cleaning them each and every time.

Concerns about coronavirus have everyone taking the time to wash their hands more frequently and to sanitize their hands when soap and water aren’t readily available. Did you know, however, that no matter how well you wash your hands, the most important step is to completely dry them? Wet hands spread germs far more readily than dry hands. Many people wonder if hand dryers are truly hygienic but what they should be concerned with is how well the hand dryer dries their hands. No matter what model of high speed hand dryer you use, thoroughly drying your hands with warm air helps ensure your hands will not spread germs to yourself or to your loved ones.

You may think it’s an unnecessary step and that it takes too much time to use a hand dryer, but most dryers on the market today can thoroughly dry your hands in 10 seconds or less! 10 seconds is a time commitment anyone can make in order to protect themselves and their families. In addition, most modern hand dryers are touchless, so you do not have to worry about touching surfaces that potentially harbor harmful bacteria and germs in order to turn the hand dryer on and off. Many of the newer hand dryer models also incorporate advanced anti-microbial technology to further guarantee a hygienic hand drying experience.

The World Health Organization has stated that in order to “protect yourself [against coronavirus], frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.” Be sure not to dry your hands on your clothes as this could contaminate your hands – instead, use a hand dryer to make sure they are completely dry and better protected until the next time you wash them!