Why your facility restrooms should go with Touchless Dispensers & Faucets
Nov 13, 2009
While most of us worry about contracting germs while touching public toilet seats, according to a new study at the University of Arizona, the toilet seat is the least of our worries. Research conducted by Dr. Charles Gerba revealed the following startlingly results:
- The average toilet paper dispenser has more than 150x the amount of bacteria than the average public toilet seat
- The average paper towel dispenser has more than 50x the amount of bacteria than the average public toilet seat
These factors, coupled with increased concerns for sanitary conditions due to the flu season and the H1N1 epidemic, can make using the public restroom a risky situation. However, thanks to today’s technologically, you don’t have to risk your health and safety every time you step into a public restroom.
Here’s what you can do to address this problem:
Utilize touchless or automatic dispensers
Public health experts recommend installing touchless (or automatic) dispensers wherever and whenever possible. By removing the place germs are most likely to hang out (ie the handles of the dispensers, where people touch the most), you are removing the risk factor associated with these devices. Touch free paper towel dispensers, toilet paper dispensers, faucets, and soap dispensers are well worth the added cost to keep everyone happy and healthy. Not only are they healthier, but they will actually save you money in the long run due to the controlled distribution of products.
If touchless dispensers are not available, grab your paper towels before you begin to wash your hands
This eliminates the risk of re-exposing your hands after they are freshly washed. Also, grab two extra paper towels – one to grab the faucet and one to grab the door on the way out.
Look for the Hand Sanitizer Dispensers on the way out
Thankfully, many public facilities are now placing instant hand sanitizer dispensers right out side of their restrooms. Always stop to grab some if it is available.
Great post! It is pretty gross to think about all the bacteria in public restrooms. A lot of toilet paper dispensers I’ve seen have the whole toilet paper encased so you can really grab the roll itself. I myself always tear off a few pieces and throw it away before I use it for myself. The touchless dispensers are genius. Now if only there would be a way out the door…
[...] Why your facility restrooms should go with Touchless Dispensers … [...]
I agree to having these so you cannot spread germs. The only problems is that half the time I can’t get them to work!
That’s nice automatic dispensers, that very practical. stop spreading the germs.
I think that they help to prevent the spread of germs but the faucets need to be designed better. half the time they don’t turn on.
The idea about automatic toilet paper/towel dispensers is just brilliant! I never thought how practical people become nowadays. At least now, we are aware of our health. People might think that this is a small issue or a no-concern-at-all but think about it, we acquire most of the germs and bacteria at dispensers that we thought have lesser germs compared to toilets.
its a great idea but would many compaies take it on? In terms of a cost analysis point of view, you can have one of these systms that probably will get broke and need a maintenance contract, or alternatively you hace have a loo roll on the sytern. I know for a health point of view what makes sense but from a business point of view I can see what I would do. Until theres some kind of lawsuit againt a pulblic toilet in a hop or bar then I cant see it catching on.. but thats just my opinion .. maybe im mssing the boat here?
You make a really great point- a lot of the arguments against going “green” or focusing on health is the cost- benefit analysis Hopefully the market will catch up so that prices will be more competitive!
Shocking statistics there, I will let everyone know the numbers when we’re next in the pub. I do agree though, half the time they don’t work and then I’m left there with drippy hands. Fail.
Great post!! I always have thought about germs in public toilets, but there is no way out …
but may be now something is going to be little bit better.
Yeah great post.
I would think the door handle is another source of germs. A lot of people don’t wash their hands and they all touch the door knob.
I usually try and use a paper towel or something else other than my hands for opening the door.
Ah, another drawback of getting old!
It’s actually icky to touch a tissue paper or soap dispenser that other hundreds of people had used before. I always make it a point to bring tissue paper wherever I go!
That’s why touchfree is the way to go! Hopefully more organizations and businesses start putting them in their public restrooms.
Great information! As a Small Business Accountant firm, we will implement these changes.After all what is most important than our health?
nice post
I usually bring my own toilet paper and wet issue when using comfort room on mall or wherever I go to always keep clean and safe from illness.
Nice post! Come to think of using public comfort rooms where you can get lots of bacteria and germs. I just realized this from reading your post.
That’s one way to stay safe in public areas. Thanks for sharing!
Very interesting! As someone who has worked in commercial restroom construction for years, its interesting to hear about a common misconception being cleared up!
Interesting. I didn’t know that toilet paper like this could be more harmful to your health. This time I would use water and soap rather than pull out some tissue from the dispenser.