WASHROOM HYGIENE
A washroom for all seasons
Winter is nearly upon us, when people tend to gather indoors for long periods and when germs are rife. What types of extra challenges do washroom providers face in the winter, and how do these compare with summer challenges? Liam Smith from Tork manufacturer Essity discusses the issue.
Winter is just around the corner, and soon the plummeting temperatures and falling humidity levels will once again be creating the ideal conditions for illnesses to thrive.
The colder weather also tends to drive shoppers, diners and drinkers indoors where the risk of catching a cold, flu or COVID is greater than it is outside. Natural ventilation in the form of open doors and windows – said to be helpful for reducing the spread of infections – is no longer a viable option.
The colder weather also poses extra challenges for washroom providers. Publicly-used washrooms tend to be busier than ever at this time of year when the stores and hospitality venues are filled with Christmas shoppers and festive diners, drinkers and revellers.
The act of washing our hands is a crucial step in preventing the spread of viruses and infections, but when the washrooms become congested there is a trade-off to be had. Should we wait in a long queue filled with potentially- infected people and run the risk of becoming ill just before Christmas? Or should we skimp on handwashing and leave the premises – albeit with potentially contaminated hands?
The physical act of handwashing itself also becomes more of a challenge in winter. Our hands are more likely to become chapped and sore in the colder weather, and this makes frequent hand washing and drying a potentially painful process. This will provide another incentive for some
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of us to execute a cursory hand wash and then leave the washroom with our hands still damp.
Unfortunately, damp hands spread germs more effectively than dry hands, so this practice will lead to more people going around with inadequately washed hands. These people could be shoppers or diners who may then go on to handle items in shops, or use cutlery and glasses in restaurants where they will transfer bacteria on to multiple surfaces.
All efforts should therefore be made to ensure that the washrooms may be used quickly, seamlessly and intuitively in the winter and that hand hygiene may be carried out swiftly and comfortably.
An easy-to use soap dispenser with a long-lasting supply of product will help to speed up handwashing. The Tork dispenser for foam soap is a good option in busy shops and restaurants because it requires a particularly low push-force to access the soap inside.
When washrooms are filled with festive shoppers, diners and drinkers, there is a risk that supplies of toilet paper, hand towels and soaps will run out too quickly. When this occurs, people will be forced to wait longer to use those cubicles and sinks where supplies remain in place. The Tork Foam Soap dispenser serves up to 1,650 users between refills, compared with around 1,000 in many liquid soap systems. This ensures a long-lasting supply and avoids the risk of run-outs.
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