• Question: is it true if you wash your hands and then dry then under and hand dryer is it better to do it with paper towel so it gets more bacteria off your hands ?

    Asked by lornad to MarkF, Mark, Michael, Panos, Sarah on 16 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Mark Fogg

      Mark Fogg answered on 16 Jun 2010:

      I always thought a paper towel would contain more bugs than a hot air drier. But if you have to push a button on the hot air dryer, someone could leave bugs on that. However, I would say life is too short to worry about how to dry your hands, if in doubt let the fresh air around you dry them.

    • Photo: Panos Soultanas

      Panos Soultanas answered on 16 Jun 2010:

      Hi lornad,

      To be honest the difference would be minimal. Both would be fine.

    • Photo: Michael Loughlin

      Michael Loughlin answered on 16 Jun 2010:

      I believe so and will always try and wipe my hands dry on a towel than use a dryer. In practical classes at University we have seen how far bacteria can be spread by air dryers to other parts of your body and to other people. So while i have never done an extensive study…i believe it to be true ..yes

    • Photo: Sarah Burl

      Sarah Burl answered on 16 Jun 2010:

      There could be bacteria on the hand towels in the first place so I am not sure. I would think that if you washed with soap then most germs will be removed anyway. A dryer is cheaper than hand towels though and creates less waste!

    • Photo: Mark Travis

      Mark Travis answered on 16 Jun 2010:

      Good question, I don’t know the answer to that….. best bet is to use an anti-bacterial soap and hot water, and that way I guess it won’t matter how you dry your hands.

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