CM/Spotlight: Restroom Care Sponsored by: Paper Towels VERSUS By: Aaron Baunee, managing editor Hand Dryers A predicament of personal preference for removing moisture from hands. F Aaron Baunee, a graduate of the University at Albany with a double major in history and journalism, is the managing edi-tor of Cleaning & Maintenance Management magazine. He can be reached at ABaunee@EBSCO. com. In his years with the pub-lication, Baunee has amassed numerous articles, columns and commentaries pertaining to commercial cleaning and mainte-nance. Baunee encourages readers to communicate editorial ideas to him and welcomes discussions on pertinent industry happenings. Connect through social media: LinkedIn.com/in/AaronBaunee, Facebook.com/CMMOnline and Twitter.com/CMeNewsDaily. for more info Visit www.cmmonline.com and type in search keyword: Handwashing . For more information on related products, visit www.cmmonline.com , select SUPPLIER SEARCH from the main navigation bar, and enter keyword: Restroom Care . For the 71 percent of Americans that a recent survey from SCA Tissue says actually wash after using the restroom — not just the quick rinse-and-dash, that doesn’t count — a solution is needed for removing moisture from their hands. Hotels and high-end boutiques don’t much fac-tor into this discussion because they tend to have linens to complete the handwashing process. However, in other commercial locations like educational institutions, healthcare facilities and government-affiliated, state-owned or municipali-ty-run complexes, staffs and other building occu-pants know the pros and cons of an age-old issue have been weighed out: Paper towels versus hand dryers. After visiting handwashing stations or restrooms, their hand drying option — paper towels of various fiber contents, hand dryers in numerous configura-tions or the option of both — hinges on an impor-tant conversation that every individual in a super-visory or managerial level has had or absolutely needs to have with key personnel in the custodial, janitorial or maintenance department. The predominant pair of problem-solvers presid-ing over this predicament are paper towels and hand dryers. Some facilities managers provide their patrons with a choice; they both stock their restrooms with paper towels and have hand dryers installed. Other decision-makers have taken choice out of the equation, selecting either paper towels or hand dryers as the exclusive drying option in their restrooms. Price, maintenance and environmental footprint are generally factored into the selection process, as each has an influence on budgets, workloads and sustainability goals. But, what is often not factored into the equation is what restroom patrons want to use and what front-line professionals want to maintain. And, given that this is a service business of the utmost competitiveness — budgets are being cut, contracts are being underbid and entire operations are being outsourced to save money, remain com-petitive and increase profits — customer satisfac-tion is principal. “Offering only paper towels or an air dryer in a restroom isn’t patron-friendly,” states Samantha Mehrotra of the Cascades Tissue Group. Industry research says customers want a hand drying choice, claiming it is important to have paper towels and hand dryers as drying options. Sofia Coon, an account executive with Kimberly-Clarke, says, “People use paper towels for more than drying their hands; paper towels are used to touch door handles and water faucets, wipe faces and spot clean clothing — tasks that an air dryer simply can’t do.” Tit For Tat It can be surmised that providing restroom patrons with a choice is preferred but, if that is not an option in your facility, which drying route do you go? According to Shannon Filippelli, director of stra-tegic communications for Excel Dryer, a quality high-speed hand dryer can eliminate the need for a 14 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • November 2012
CMM – Archives Nov 2012: 14
