Fact or Myth: Unveiling the Truth About Hygiene
Did you know that 26% of people in the UK don’t wash their hands after using the toilet? That’s pretty, gross if we do say so ourselves! But, this startling statistic doesn’t just highlight the UK’s behaviour when it comes to hygiene, it also reveals how widespread misinformation about hygiene practices has become. In our daily lives, we’re surrounded by hygiene myths that seem logical but are actually counterproductive to maintaining a clean, healthy environment.
At Woosh, we encounter these misconceptions regularly when consulting with businesses about their hygiene protocols. Understanding the difference between hygiene facts and myths isn’t just for your knowledge, it directly impacts the health and safety of your employees, customers and visitors. Let’s delve into the seven most common hygiene myths and talk about what’s really right and wrong!
- Myth 1: Hand Dryers are More Hygienic Than Paper Towels
- Myth 2: Antibacterial Soap is Always Better Than Regular Soap
- Myth 3: Toilet Seats are the Dirtiest Part of a Washroom
- Myth 4: Hot Water Kills More Germs When Washing Hands
- Myth 5: Air Fresheners Eliminate Germs and Improve Hygiene
- Myth 6: Public Washrooms are Always Dirtier Than Home Bathrooms
- Myth 7: Once You Clean a Surface, It Stays Clean All Day
- Bust Hygiene Myths in Your Washroom with Woosh
Myth 1: Hand Dryers are More Hygienic Than Paper Towels
The Myth: Electric hand dryers eliminate germs better than paper towels.
The Truth: Although there is a mix of research on this particular topic, most of the research does indicate that paper towels are more effective at removing bacteria and viruses from hands. This is because paper towels physically remove bacteria from the hands and are then disposed of, preventing cross-contamination. However, hand dryers are also effective in removing germs with modern hand dryers incorporating UV lights and anti-microbial coatings.
The main issue with both methods of hand drying is how people use each approach. If individuals do not dry their hands properly, water droplets containing germs can be spread around the washroom and public space! This means educating people on the importance of drying hands properly after hand washing is essential to avoid cross-contamination.
Myth 2: Antibacterial Soap is Always Better Than Regular Soap
The Myth: Antibacterial soap kills more germs and prevents illness better than regular soap, making it essential for workplace hygiene.
The Truth: When it comes to everyday handwashing, regular soap with proper technique is equally effective at removing harmful microorganisms. The FDA has stated that there’s no evidence antibacterial soaps are more effective than plain soap and water for preventing illness.
The mechanical action of washing your hands (i.e. rubbing hands together with soap for at least 20 seconds) physically removes bacteria and viruses regardless of the soap’s antibacterial properties. Plus, the overuse of antibacterial products can contribute to antimicrobial resistance, a growing public health concern.
Myth 3: Toilet Seats are the Dirtiest Part of a Washroom
The Myth: Toilet seats harbour the most dangerous bacteria in restrooms and pose the greatest health risk to users.
The Truth: Microbiological studies reveal that door handles, tap handles, shower floors and shower curtains typically contain significantly higher bacterial counts than toilet seats. In fact, shower floors and curtains can harbour up to 60 times more bacteria than your toilet seat.
This misconception persists because toilet seats seem intuitively dirty, but their smooth, non-porous surfaces and regular cleaning make them relatively hygienic. The real contamination hot spots are high-touch surfaces that users contact after using facilities but before washing hands like the toilet flush handle, cubicle handles and taps.
But, this doesn’t mean your toilet seat is free from germs! There’s also the worry of the Toilet Sneeze.
Myth 4: Hot Water Kills More Germs When Washing Hands
The Myth: Hotter water temperature equals better germ elimination during hand washing, so washrooms should provide the hottest water possible.
The Truth: Water temperature has minimal impact on germ removal during typical handwashing. To actually kill bacteria through heat alone, water would need to reach temperatures hot enough to cause burns!
What matters most when it comes to hand washing is the duration and soap application. We all know by now that you should wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds, regardless of temperature. The mechanical action of rubbing hands together with soap is what physically removes microorganisms.
Myth 5: Air Fresheners Eliminate Germs and Improve Hygiene
The Myth: Pleasant-smelling washrooms are cleaner and more hygienic, and air fresheners contribute to overall cleanliness.
The Truth: Air fresheners mask odours but they don’t eliminate bacteria, viruses or other harmful microorganisms. A washroom can smell pleasant while harboring significant contamination, creating a false sense of security.
Effective hygiene depends on proper cleaning, disinfection and ventilation! Many commercial air fresheners simply add chemicals to the air without addressing the root causes of odours or contamination. Instead of just covering up the smell, why not employ professional washroom servicing that encourages proper ventilation systems and regular deep cleaning to remove contaminants from the air.
Myth 6: Public Washrooms are Always Dirtier Than Home Bathrooms
The Myth: Commercial and public washrooms are inherently less hygienic than home bathrooms and pose greater health risks.
The Truth: While this may depend on the level of foot traffic to a public washroom, a well-maintained commercial washroom often exceeds the cleanliness levels of a home bathroom. Professional cleaning protocols, regular maintenance schedules and commercial-grade equipment can create exceptionally hygienic environments.
The key difference isn’t public versus private, it’s maintenance quality and frequency. Many home bathrooms receive sporadic, inconsistent cleaning, while professionally serviced commercial washrooms follow strict hygiene protocols with documented cleaning schedules. Plus, we’re all creatures of comfort in our own homes so being our most hygienic selves here isn’t always the case!
Myth 7: Once You Clean a Surface, It Stays Clean All Day
The Myth: Cleaning once per day is sufficient for maintaining hygiene in high-traffic washrooms.
The Truth: High-touch surfaces begin recontaminating within hours of cleaning. Bacteria can double their population every 20 minutes under ideal conditions, meaning a surface cleaned at 8am may harbour significant bacterial loads by noon!
Research shows that washroom door handles, taps and dispensers accumulate bacteria throughout the day as each user adds to the contamination load. Single daily cleaning cannot maintain consistent hygiene standards in busy commercial environments so it’s imperative you have a clean schedule that consists of multiple cleaning routines a day.
Bust Hygiene Myths in Your Washroom with Woosh
Knowing the difference between hygiene facts and myths is the difference between effective hygiene and hygiene that is just for show. By debunking these common hygiene myths, you can take control of your personal hygiene and avoid harmful germs in your home, workplace and the dreaded public washroom.
If you are a washroom manager looking to improve your washroom hygiene, the first step is to make sure you know fact from fiction. Whether that’s understanding the benefits of different hand drying options or learning about germ hot spots [link when live], knowing the ins and outs of washroom hygiene ensures you are putting your washroom users first! For more information on washroom hygiene, why not take a look at our Blooprint?
FAQs
What is the golden rule of hygiene?
The golden rule of hygiene is consistent, proper handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet, before eating and after touching contaminated surfaces. This single practice prevents the majority of infectious disease transmission and forms the foundation of all effective hygiene protocols.
What are the disadvantages of not being hygienic?
Poor hygiene leads to an increased risk of infectious diseases, skin conditions, dental problems and gastrointestinal illnesses that can cause serious health implications. Additionally, it creates negative social and professional consequences, including damaged relationships, reduced workplace productivity and potential business liability issues in commercial settings.
Are public toilets hygienic?
Well-maintained public toilets with professional cleaning services can actually be more hygienic than many home bathrooms due to regular disinfection schedules and commercial-grade equipment. However, poorly maintained public toilets pose significant health risks, which is why professional washroom servicing is essential for businesses to ensure consistent hygiene standards.