Here are some tips for purchasing towel, tissue and soap dispensing systems. Update Dispensers Like avocado-colored walls, nothing says dated more than old, unattractive dispens-ers. Not only can these detract from the ap-pearance of a restroom, older systems can also be less hygienic with buttons, knobs or handles to push, pull and turn. This can result in the transfer of microbial agents from the hands to the nose, mouth, eyes or environmental surfaces via indirect contact. Consider replacing your dispensers with a sleek, modern and hygienic system. Some new offerings even allow you to switch out the internal modules so the dis-penser can be changed from one towel or skincare system to another without having to install a new machine. growing and reproducing, which keeps dis-pensers fresher and more hygienic between cleanings. Go Touchless The electronic restroom revolution has greatly enhanced hygiene by eliminating the need to touch dispensers, faucets and toilet handles. By eliminating one potential source of germs, touchless systems can help reduce their spread. These systems can also help make the task of using as well as maintaining the re-stroom easier, more efficient and more cost effective, all while providing improved hy-giene and sanitation features. Touchless systems can operate in differ-ent ways. While many are electronic, there are also mechanical no-touch towel dispensers with no levers to pull that provide the same hygienic benefits as sensor-activated dis-pensers. Get Antimicrobial Protection Restroom surfaces that are touched fre-quently may serve as reservoirs of microbial contamination. The average toilet paper dispenser has more than 150 times the amount of bacte-ria than the average toilet seat, and paper towel dispensers were found to have over 50 times more bacteria on average than a typical public restroom toilet seat, accord-ing to research by Dr. Charles Gerba of the University of Arizona. One way to help prevent the spread of germs is to purchase dispensers with built-in antimicrobial technology that protects against common bacteria such as yeasts, molds and fungi. Make sure the antimicrobial protection is added during the manufacturing process so it is an integral part of the dispenser that will not wash off or wear away. While better than nothing, surface treat-ments do not offer the same degree of de-fense. Built-in antimicrobial technology also provides protection against most common stain and odor-causing bacteria by inhibit-ing the growth of microbes on the dispenser. The antimicrobial protection actually pen-etrates the bacterium’s cell wall and, as a result, it helps to prevent microbes from Purchase High-capacity Systems Maintaining adequate supplies of personal care products is another important aspect of creating and maintaining a sanitary and attractive restroom environment. One way to help ensure an adequate sup-ply of product in the restroom, as well as ease maintenance headaches and reduce costs and waste, is to select high-capacity systems. These systems can help reduce product run-out by lasting longer and offering less frequent product change-outs. Many touchless systems are also high capacity, dispensing extra-long roll towels, jumbo-sized coreless bath tissue and lon-ger-lasting soap. Not only do these systems last longer, they also provide environmental benefits by significantly reducing packaging waste as compared to standard-sized towel or stan-dard cored bath tissue systems. Selecting the right dispensing systems is one way to make the restroom more attractive and hygienic while keeping tenants satisfied and making a lasting impression on visitors. It’s an investment that will pay dividends for years to come. CM Product Information no. 211 on page 24 www.cmmonline.com 27
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