5 Common Washroom Hygiene Myths That Could Impact Your Workplace

- Posted by Author: Cathedral Hygiene in Category: Washroom Services | 5 min read

The washroom is an essential part of your workplace. Adequate toilet and handwashing facilities are not only a legal requirement but are also vital for the comfort of your employees and customers. However, there are plenty of myths surrounding washroom hygiene.

From spreading of illnesses, to unpleasant conditions, if proper hygiene solutions aren’t implemented, then your organisation could experience increased absences and unhappy customers.

At Cathedral Hygiene, we want to ensure that everyone is equipped with the knowledge to offer their employees and customers the right hygiene solutions.

Here are 5 common hygiene myths and the facts behind them.

 

Myth #1: When washing your hands, a quick rinse is all you need

Truth: A quick rinse is not sufficient for effective handwashing. Your hands might look cleaner, but a quick rinse won’t eliminate germs and bacteria effectively.

Correct handwashing techniques are essential to ensure proper hand hygiene. You may think that quickly rinsing your hands under the tap is enough, but you could actually be exposing yourself and others to a number of germs and bacteria.

It is especially important in shared environments where illnesses can easily be spread by a lack of handwashing. According to the CDC, proper handwashing can reduce respiratory illnesses such as colds by around 21%.

The NHS recommends washing your hands for around 20 seconds in total.

The correct handwashing technique is as follows:

  • Apply soap and water to completely cover your hands.
  • Lather the soap in your hands and scrub to remove germs and bacteria. Don’t forget the back of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
  • To ensure you’re washing your hands for the correct amount of time, the NHS suggests humming ‘Happy Birthday’ twice.
  • Rinse your hands thoroughly in running water.
  • Dry your hands with a hand dryer, paper towels, or any other hand drying solution.
Infographic showing correct handwashing technique. 1- apply soap and water, completely cover your hands (image of soap). 2- lather the soap and scrub to remove germs and bacteria effectively, remember to scrub fingers, nails, and the back of your hands (image of hands with soap). 3- scrub your hands for 20 seconds, humming 'happy birthday' twice works (image of a stopwatch) 4- rinse your hands, thoroughly wash off all the soap (image of hands under a tap) 5- dry your hands, use a hand dryer, paper towels, or any other hand drying solution (image of hands under a dryer).

You should always wash your hands:

  • After using the bathroom.
  • Before and after handling food.
  • After blowing your nose, sneezing, or coughing.
  • Before and after treating a wound.
  • After touching animals, including your pets.

For effective hand hygiene, access to soap is essential. Our reliable soap dispensers are designed with efficiency and ease of use in mind. They are push-operated and non-drip. Our professional team will service them regularly for you, so you never have to worry about running out of soap.

 

Myth #2: You can use gloves as a substitute for handwashing

Truth: Wearing gloves does not reduce the need for handwashing. It’s crucial to wash your hands before putting on gloves and after removing them.

If you’re using gloves to protect your hands from germs, you might think that handwashing isn’t necessary. However, experts recommend continuing with proper hand hygiene even when using gloves.

There is a potential for gloves themselves to get contaminated, for example, through airborne bacteria. Germs can also transfer to your hands when putting gloves on or taking them off. Therefore, it is best practice to wash your hands before and after using them.

Gloves can provide a false sense of security. It is important to remember that they are not a substitute for hand hygiene, just an extra layer of security.

Even in environments where gloves are used, providing easy access to handwashing facilities is crucial. Help ensure these routines are easy to follow with our soap dispensers. Serviced every 28 days by our customer care personnel, they offer an ‘always there’ solution.

 

Myth #3: Hand sanitiser is a substitute for soap and water

Truth: Hand sanitiser is not a complete substitute for soap. It doesn’t remove all types of germs.

Hand sanitisers are helpful when soap and water isn’t available. But for regular use, access to both soap and sanitiser is crucial.

If you are using hand sanitiser between washes, you should ensure that it contains at least 70% alcohol. Without this, the hand sanitiser may not kill germs effectively and merely reduce their growth instead.

At Cathedral Hygiene, we suggest adding wall-mounted sanitiser stations in shared areas to guarantee that protection continues beyond the bathroom. We offer hand sanitiser with 70% alcohol content.

To use hand sanitiser effectively:

  • Ensure that the hand sanitiser covers your hands completely.
  • Let your hands air dry.
  • If you wipe the hand sanitiser off before it dries, it will not be effective.
Infographic showing soap and water vs. hand sanitiser. Image of a white soap dispenser with the bullet points: highly effective at removing germs, bacteria, viruses, and dirt. Physically washes away germs. Limited to areas with sinks and water. Essential after using the bathroom, handling food, or when hands are visibly dirty. Image of a white hand sanitiser unit with the bullet points: Kills many germs (but not all) if over 60% alcohol content. Chemically kills most germs but does not physically remove them. More accessible - dispensers can be installed anywhere. To be used when soap and water isn't readily available.

Myth #4: As long as you wash your hands, drying them isn’t important

Truth: Drying your hands after washing is just as important because wet hands can spread germs more easily. Hand drying is a critical final step for good hand hygiene.

Did you know that wet hands can transfer around 1000 times more bacteria than dry hands?

Because bacterial transfer is higher on wet hands, drying your hands after washing is essential. If you have wet hands, you can spead bacteria to surfaces or objects that you touch – and you’re more likely to pick up bacteria yourself.

Our fast, robust, and versatile hand dryers are the most cost-effective form of hand drying. Not only are they environmentally friendly, but they will dry your hands in seconds – ideal for busy washrooms.

 

Myth #5: Germs can’t survive on hard surfaces

Truth: Many germs can survive on hard surfaces for varying lengths of time. For instance, the common cold virus can survive on hard surfaces for up to a week, while the flu virus can last for 24 to 48 hours.

Germs can live on hard surfaces for hours or even days.

Common surfaces where germs may survive include:

  • Toilet seats
  • Sink taps
  • Door handles
  • Soap dispenser buttons
  • Hand dryers

Germs can enter your body through your eyes, nose, and mouth if you touch your face after touching a contaminated surface. While it won’t always make you sick, it’s possible – and worth avoiding.

Washing your hands and disinfecting surfaces helps stop the spread of germs and illness.

61% of people don’t trust other’s hygiene in public toilets. Providing toilet seat and surface sanitiser dispensers allows users to clean surfaces before use. With studies showing that 8 in 10 people try to avoid public toilets wherever possible, this simple addition boosts trust and confidence in your washroom.

 

How Cathedral Hygiene Can Help

Washroom hygiene is about protecting your employees, visitors, and business reputation. Misconceptions can lead to illness, absenteeism, and customer discomfort.

At Cathedral Hygiene, we deliver high-quality, reliable hygiene solutions so you’ll always have a safe, hygienic, and professional washroom.

Contact us today to discuss your washroom hygiene needs.

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