Deck the Malls with Sanitary Restrooms

Eight myths about public restroom hygiene

Deck the Malls with Sanitary Restrooms

 

As you’re rushing around with last-minute shopping this holiday season you’re probably not focusing on public restroom cleanliness. Below are eight common misconceptions about restroom cleanliness and hygiene provided by Cintas Corp.

  1. It doesn’t matter how long I wash my hands as long as I use soap – False
    Evidence suggests you should scrub your hands with soap for a minimum of 15-30 seconds to effectively remove germs. Many global organizations have adopted recommendations to wash hands for 20 seconds. 
  2. Hand sanitizers can replace washing your hands with soap and water – False
    Washing hands with soap and water is the best and most effective way to reduce the number of microbes and germs on hands. Although alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of microbes on hands in some situations, they are not as effective as soap and water when it comes to removing and inactivating gastrointestinal illness-causing germs such as Cryptosporidium, norovirus, and Clostridium difficile.
  3. The hotter the water used for handwashing, the better – False
    Studies show that water temperature does not affect microbe removal. In fact, there is no research to prove that higher temperatures improve handwashing at all.
  4. You don’t have to dry your hands after washing them – False
    Studies show that germs can be transferred more easily to and from wet hands.
  5. Hand dryers are more hygienic than paper towels – False
    Research shows that paper towels can help remove bacteria, unlike air dryers which can increase bacteria counts. Paper towels are also less likely to contaminate other restroom users as air dryers have also been shown to spread bacteria between 3 and 6 feet from the device, increasing the chances of cross contamination.
  6. Hand dryers work faster – False
    Studies indicate it takes approximately 10 seconds to dry hands using a paper towel while air dryers require 40 seconds to achieve similar dryness.
  7. I need to squat, hover, or use a seat protector to stay safe from germs – False.
    Contrary to popular belief, toilet seats are one of the most often cleaned parts of a restroom.
  8. The stall furthest from the restroom door is the least used and therefore the cleanest – False
    People tend to skip the first stall in favor of stalls farther back to have a little more privacy. Because the first stall is used least often, it’s most likely the cleanest.

 

           
Posted On December 20, 2017
Topics Tags
 

Also in Restrooms

Julio Badin, Executive Director of Gathering Place in Tulsa, Oklahoma — the proud recipient of the Spotless Spaces Award, sponsored by Tork, an Essity brand
April 3, 2025 Jeff Cross

Clean Starts with Purpose: How Gathering Place Built a Culture of Pride

April 3, 2025 Jeff Cross

Spotless Spaces Competition + Smarter Solutions: Tork Champions Inclusive Hygiene

April 3, 2025 Jeff Cross

Advocacy, Hygiene for All, and Innovation

March 31, 2025 Katrin Ferge

Dispenser Choices Influence Hygiene and Sustainability

Sponsored in Restrooms

2021 CMM Restroom Care Webinar
August 19, 2021

2021 CMM Restroom Care Webinar: Rescue Your Restroom!

October 8, 2018 Sponsored by Essity

Bring On the Crowds

September 26, 2018 Sponsored by Vectair Systems

Vectair | News, Case Studies, and More

September 24, 2018 Sponsored by Tork

Bring On the Crowds with 2018 ISSA Innovation Award Nominee Tork PeakServe® Continuous™ Hand Towel System

Recent News

CDC Advisors Meet to Discuss Vaccines

CDC Advisors Meet to Discuss Vaccines

Whooping Cough Cases Soar

NORMI™ Launches Medical Advisory Board

Milwaukee Schools Found Hazardous Lead Contamination; CDC Can’t Help Due to Layoffs

Deck the Malls with Sanitary Restrooms
Share Article
Subscribe to CMM