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HAND DRYERS
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A CLEAN WASHROOM ISN’T
ALWAYS A HYGIENIC WASHROOM Stephen Levy, Founder and CEO of Handy Dryers, explains why creating a truly hygienic washroom requires more than regular cleaning, and why air quality, ventilation, hand drying and equipment maintenance all play an important role in reducing the spread of germs
reduce the benefits they were designed to provide.
THINKING BEYOND CLEANING Increasingly, organisations are asking how washroom equipment can contribute to hygiene throughout the day rather than relying solely on periodic cleaning. Unlike surface cleaning, which sanitises only at the point it is carried out, continuous air treatment helps reduce airborne microbial contamination in the washroom. The latest generation of specialist hand dryers incorporates integrated UV-C air treatment technology, continuously disinfecting air as it passes through the unit. Used alongside effective ventilation, routine cleaning and planned maintenance, this supports hygiene throughout the working day.
CREATING A HEALTHIER WASHROOM
S
ince the COVID-19 pandemic, expectations of washroom cleanliness have changed dramatically. Facilities managers are expected to provide washrooms that not only look clean but also help reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses. As organisations invest in new washrooms or refurbish existing facilities, appearance and hygiene remain key priorities. While modern finishes and touch-free fittings create the impression of cleanliness, many hygiene risks remain invisible.
THE GERMS YOU CAN’T SEE Most cleaning regimes focus on visible touchpoints such as taps, flush plates, door handles and soap dispensers. While important, they represent only part of the contamination picture. Scientific research has shown that flushing a toilet generates microscopic airborne droplets, known as toilet plume aerosols, containing bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms from human waste. In commercial washrooms, where toilets are typically installed without lids, these aerosols are released directly into the surrounding environment. Research by the University of Colorado Boulder
found these plumes can rise to around 1.5 metres before dispersing throughout the washroom. Depending on ventilation, airborne particles can remain suspended before settling on surrounding surfaces, allowing microorganisms to circulate between cleaning cycles. Poor washroom conditions affect more than user confidence. They can influence employee wellbeing, visitor perception, sickness absence and organisational reputation.
HAND WASHING IS ONLY HALF THE STORY Hand washing remains one of the most effective ways to reduce infection, but proper drying is equally important. Wet hands transfer bacteria far more readily than dry hands, making effective hand drying essential. Many hand dryers incorporate HEPA filtration, removing a high proportion of airborne particles from intake air before it reaches users’ hands. When properly maintained, these filters help provide cleaner airflow. However, filters only remain effective if inspected and replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, as they can lose efficiency and
No single product can guarantee a hygienic washroom. The best results come from combining effective cleaning, good ventilation, appropriate equipment selection and planned maintenance. When selecting hand dryers, you should look beyond purchase price and drying speed. Hygiene, ease of maintenance, durability, energy efficiency, whole-life cost and user experience should all form part of the decision. One example is Handy Dryers’ patented Sterillo® technology, which combines high-speed hand drying with integrated UV-C air treatment. By continuously treating air passing through the unit during normal operation, it helps maintain cleaner airflow while supporting overall washroom hygiene. A washroom that looks clean is not necessarily hygienic. By considering air quality, ventilation, effective hand drying and well-maintained equipment as part of a single strategy, facilities managers can create healthier washroom environments.
REFERENCE Crimaldi, J.P., True, A.C., Linden, K.G. et al. Commercial toilets emit energetic and rapidly spreading aerosol plumes. Scientific Reports, 12, 20493 (2022).
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.HANDYDRYERS.CO.UK OR TEL: +44 (0)1279 466 500 JULY/AUGUST 2026
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