Hand Drying Best Practices

Washing and drying your hands properly may feel like a chore, but knowing it rids your hands of accumulated germs from various surfaces will motivate you to do so. Following the appropriate steps to dry your hands after thoroughly washing them will protect you from the germs you could collect if you were to use a paper towel dispenser. That’s why Excel Dryer encourages you to use a touchless hand dryer. Our featured case studies provide additional information and context with real-life experiences.

While washing your hands may seem like the most important step, drying plays a vital role in keeping your hands clean. Find out why hand drying is so important:

Why is Hand Drying Important

Whether we realize it or not, we continuously touch surfaces all day, such as our phones, keyboards, steering wheels, water cups, and more. The germs and airborne particles that these surfaces collect over time add up quickly, especially if they aren’t frequently sanitized. Proper hygiene is crucial throughout your day after consistently touching surfaces around you, so consider regularly washing and drying your hands.

It is easy to quickly rinse your hands and shake them off, but you’re defeating the purpose of adequately washing and drying them. Germs spread much faster when they’re wet, so not properly drying them after using hot water and soap is unhygienic.

To support the CDC’s assertion, research from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, also found dry hands result in a 99% reduction in the level of bacteria transmission when compared to wet hands. To put this another way, wet hands are 1,000 times more likely to transfer bacteria, so your hands are never fully clean until they are clean and dry.      

Steps to Take After Washing Your Hands

As mentioned, shaking your hands after washing them is insufficient to dry them properly, so we recommend the following steps.

1. Thoroughly wash your hands with hot water and soap for at least 15-20 seconds.
2. After washing, proceed to a touchless hand dryer. Excel dryers can completely dry your hands in 8-14 seconds, depending on which product you use.
3. Rub your hands together to create friction that will dry your hands quickly and effectively.
4. Once you’re done, if you’re in a restroom with a foot handle to open the door, use that to avoid touching the handle with your hands.

By following these best practices, you can effectively reduce the spread of germs and maintain optimal hand hygiene. Our featured blogs, like Proper Hand Washing, demonstrate how hand washing lessens the chances of catching viruses, and its role in daily life is crucial. Along with hand washing and drying, sanitizing your hands with hand sanitizer or wipes can help decrease the chances of absorbing germs and bacteria.

What Hand Dryers Can I Choose From

Excel Dryer offers a variety of dryers, each with unique features. Let us tell you more about them and why hand dryers should be your top choice.

XLERATOR Hand Dryer

Activated by an automatic, contactless sensor, our XLERATOR Hand Dryer dries hands in just eight seconds while providing a 88% reduction in your carbon footprint. The touchless, high-speed XLERATOR Hand Dryer also helps qualify for several LEED credits and WELL points. In addition, an optional Electrostatic HEPA (eHEPA^®) filtration system has been proven to remove 99.999% of viruses and 99.97% of bacteria from the airstream, leading to a much cleaner restroom overall. Looking to add even more sanitary measures to your restroom? Pair this dryer with an antimicrobial wall guard to protect it from water and inhibit bacterial growth.

XLERATOReco Hand Dryer

The greenest hand dryer in our product line is our XLERATOReco Hand Dryer, providing up to a 94% reduction of the carbon footprint. This 500-watt hand dryer can be installed on a single-circuit while completely drying hands in 10 seconds. All Excel hand dryers have Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Health Product Declarations (HPDs).  All Excel hand dryers like the energy-efficient XLERATOReco helps qualify for LEED credits and WELL points. The XLERATOReco has the option for an effective eHEPA filtration system that removes 99.999% of viruses and 99.97% of bacteria from the airstream and can also be used alongside antimicrobial wall guards.

ThinAir Hand Dryer

Our surface-mounted, ADA-compliant ThinAir Hand Dryer boasts a 14-second dry time. This extremely hygienic hand dryer is activated by an automatic sensor, eliminating touchpoints. When surface mounted, the ThinAir Hand Dryer meets ADA protrusion guidelines to accommodate those who are visually impaired, ensuring that everyone can easily have hygienic hands. 

D|13 Sink System featuring the XLERATORsync Hand Dryer

For an elegant, streamlined design that features completely touchless water, soap, and hand drying all in one place while easily matching any restroom aesthetic, the D|13 Sink System featuring the XLERATORsync Hand Dryer creates the ultimate user experience. With a 14-second dry time, the XLERATORsync has adjustable speed, sound, and heat controls and can reduce a restroom’s carbon footprint by up to 81%—even when compared to 100% recycled paper towels. The sink system has eHEPA filtration as the standard option, providing additional protection for restroom owners.  

Choose Excel Dryer

If you’re considering investing in an Excel hand dryer, visit our product page to determine which dryer will be the best choice for your business. No matter which hand dryer you choose, going the extra mile to use one will lead consumers to cleaner hands and a healthier life. Ditch the paper towels, save the environment, and follow our hand-drying best practices. Please contact us to learn more about how our line of hand dryers can help keep you (and your hands) more hygienic.