Do you always wash your hands? The team at XO2 don’t. What!? The team at XO2, Australia’s leading manufacturer of hand hygiene products, don’t always wash their hands.
When is washing your hands a bad idea?
That’s right… there are times when we choose not to wash our hands after going to the toilet. And we’re not afraid to admit it.
You see, many public washrooms are so unhygienic and unhealthy that you would be better off taking your chances with what’s on your hands rather than touching the tap and hand soap dispenser.
There’s also the risk of the hand dryer not working which means you have to wipe your hands on your pants. Not nice.
If it's not touch-free do a bush wee.
Touchpoints in public places are a huge risk and concern for personal health. That’s why we tell our kids, “if it’s not touch-free, do a bush wee.” Basically, that means when you go to a toilet in a public place, don’t touch anything, in fact, if it’s not touch-free and hygienic find a tree and go there instead.
It’s a matter of risk and reward. We know hand hygiene is important but if we have to risk our health by overexposing ourselves to high-risk touch points perhaps it’s better not to wash.
50% of Australians don't wash their hands.
More than 50% of Australians don’t wash their hands in public washrooms. It’s not because most people are dirty and selfish animals that have no regard for their community or personal hygiene and health. In most cases, visitors are forced to make a decision. “Do I take a chance with what’s on my hands or touch the tap and soap dispenser to wash my hands.”
If they choose not to wash because they don’t want to touch the tap and soap dispenser, that’s fair enough we reckon. Too risky in many washrooms.
Yep, that's how we feel too.
Hygienic washrooms eliminate touchpoints wherever possible
The majority of commercial washrooms in Australia are fairly ordinary when it comes to hygiene.
Many people avoid hand washing because they don’t want to dry their hands with automatic hand dryers which are often responsible for the spread of bacteria. They are also a common touch point for disease and bacteria. Hand dryers are a good example of a washroom cost-reduction strategy that compromises hygiene instead of improving it and the user’s experience can in some instances become sub-standard.
We don't sell hand dryers anymore because we don't believe in them
A long time ago XO2 sold hand dryers, we sold lots of them. But we stopped selling hand dryers because we just don't believe in them. Hand dryer manufacturers might not like to hear it but even a good hand dryer is more about cutting paper hand towel costs rather than good hygiene. Otherwise, they’d be allowed to be used in hospitals.
Washing your hands is important. Hygiene, and touch-free washrooms are important too.
Yes, we should all wash our hands regularly. Washing hands after going to the toilet is very important. But, facilities also need to create amenities that make good hand washing and hygiene easy and safe to do. This effort to create great washrooms makes a facility better and gives staff, guests, students and visitors a healthier, happier and more impressive experience.
Touch-free washroom dispensers exceed visitor expectations and build a good reputation
Touch-free automatic hand soap dispensers, hand sanitiser dispensers, taps, paper hand towel systems and air freshening is a must in the washroom of a modern 1st world facility that truly cares about its visitor’s health and hygiene.
And remember, if it’s not touch-free, do a bush wee. ;)
If you’re looking for advice on touch-free washroom and hygiene dispensers that will reduce costs for your facility, give the XO2 team a call today on 1300 123 499, or visit XO2's touch-free washroom dispensers online.
Have a great day.
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