Comments on: Paper Towels vs. Hand Driers

By: Tork UK

Tork UK — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:32:57 +0000

‘MY’ — Interesting idea but I would say that making sure that you’re washing and drying your hands properly is very important. I suppose you could even consider carrying a few paper towels with you every time you go out just incase these bathrooms don’t have any left.

By: MY

MY — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:43:16 +0000

To bring up the Japanese again, why don’t we just forgo this debate all together and carry small hand towels or handkerchiefs everywhere? At least that’s why I do, along with the rest of Japan when I’m traveling there because some bathrooms, even at the fanciest places, have neither paper towels nor hand driers.

By: Tork UK

Tork UK — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:59:46 +0000

This is a cracking article!

Unfortunately Paul, it doesn’t matter whether you put your fingers in the ‘drip tray’ or not, the latest jet air type dryers increase the bacteria count on your hands by an average of 42% and warm air dryers can increase bacteria by an average of 254% on palms.

Where as paper towels reduce bacteria after washing by 45%-77%.

These figures were found in the summary of recent research into the relative hygiene attributes and consumer preferences of different hand drying methods — Tork/SCA.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:46:51 +0000

Unfortunately the Airblade is not a British Dyson invention but a Japanese one. Mitsubishi have had them for at least ten years in Japan and although the pathogens may collect in the drip tray, that's not where you put your fingers at any point during the drying process. The better question for me is "What do westerners have against awesome toilets?". One to contemplate when you avail yourself of the loos in a Japanese department store (where you will get to try the Japanese predecessor of the Airblade no doubt!). What time's your flight?