An extensive observational study at ISSA/Interclean 2016 confirms that the vast majority of Users prefer Paper Towels to Jet Air Dryers
ISSA/Interclean is the most important Cleaning Industry exibition in the world, with about 30.000 visits. During the 2016 exhibition, 10 -13 May, a massive study, observing the behavior of 3.879 Visitors, was conducted in four of the washrooms at ISSA/Interclean, those equipped with both Paper Towels and Jet Air Dryers.
In order to offer Visitors the widest hand drying choice, some of the washrooms at ISSA/Interclean Amsterdam 2016 were equipped with BOTH, Paper Towels and Jet Air Dryers, one on top of the other. This was a rather unique situation, which allowed ETS to verify which system is preferred by the Users, when they are offered a choice.
The behavior of 3.879 Visitors (2.474 Men and 1.405 Women) drying their hands was observed, in four washrooms, equipped with both Paper Towels and Jet Air Dryers.
In addition, the behavior of 2.459 Vistors (1.054 Men and 1.405 Women) washing their hands was observed, to verify whether water + soap were used during hand washing or just water.
Paper Towels – Jet Air Dryers Users preference
Among Men, the preference for using Paper Towels was amazing: 90% vs. 13% using the Jet Air Dryers.
The total is above 100%, because some of the users of the Jet Air Dryers, also used Paper Towels to finish the drying job.
Among Women, the preference for using Paper Towels was even stronger: 91% vs. 11% using the Jet Air Dryers.
The total is above 100%, because some of the users of the Jet Air Dryers, also used Paper Towels to finish the drying job.
Hand Washing Behavior – Water & Soap or just Water
71% of the Men washed their hands with Water and Soap and 29% just with water.
The usage of Soap was higher than the one measured in previous studies, probably because the Visitors of Issa/Interclean, mostly Cleaning Industry Professionals, have a better than average understanding of the importance of Soap for proper Hand washing and also because the washrooms were always in excellent order, cleaned and refilled.
77% of the Women washed their hands with Water and Soap, 23% just with Water.
Summary
The large number of observations, almost 4.000, the high quality of the washrooms and the expertise of the Visitors make this study particularly relevant: i.e. Users that know more about Cleaning and Hygiene mostly wash their hands with water and soap and overwhelmingly prefer to use Paper Towels, rather than Jet Air Dryers.
