Facts Vs Fiction -- Debuking Foam Hand Soap Dispensers Myth
After using a restroom in public facilities, such as gyms, schools, airports and offices, we go to sink to wash our hands. We find different types of soaps at various facilities. Long gone are the days when commercial restrooms had ordinary soaps for the users. Today, almost all such facilities use modern-day hand wash dispensers so that the users can have a convenient and hygienic hand washing experience. There are different types of soap dispensers available, but foam hand soap dispensers are most common in commercial facilities.
About Foam Hand Soap Dispensers
Soap dispensers use different types of soaps out of which foam soap is currently the most popular type. Foam soap is popular because it requires less water to rinse off. The other popular type is a liquid soap that gives a smooth leather hand washing experience, but it needs more water to rinse. Both come in liquid form, but the soap foam squeezes out of the dispenser in foam shape. Foam hand soaps also prove cost-effective as only a little amount of foam is needed to wash your hands thoroughly. Foam hand soap dispensers come in a variety of types, such as:
- Manual foam soap dispensers
- Automatic foam soap dispensers
Automatic dispensers are the touch-less soap dispensing devices, while manual dispensers require pushing a button or pedal to get the soap. Majority of washrooms are using automatic dispensers because of the ease and safety they provide. However, it doesn’t mean that the manual dispensers are less popular. Both types have their unique advantages, and people use both types of dispensers in commercial facilities and residential properties.
Why People Businesses Moved from Bar Soaps to Soap Dispensers?
Whenever you visit a commercial facility, you will find soap dispensers in different places. They are found commonly in the restrooms, but there are many other areas where you will find them. For instance, you may have seen a wall-mounted soap dispenser just near the exit of building exit. Apart from that, you will see soap dispensers in areas, like kitchens and residential washrooms.
Liquid and Foam hand soap dispensers replaced bar soaps in the public restrooms decades before. A study was conducted in the 1960s after which the need for soap dispensers was raised. That study revealed that the bar soaps are like a home to bacteria as they are frequently touched by users many times a day. Therefore, they started to think about a bar soap alternative that should stay clean from bacteria. Thus, different companies introduced soap dispensers in the market with claims that they remain bacteria-free.
Today, most people think of the soap dispensers are a safe and hygienic way for washing hands. They believe that there is no risk of getting germs, bacteria or any infection, unlike bar soaps. However, there are still some people around who think that it nothing, but a myth. Let’s go through some facts and misconceptions about the soap dispensers.
Facts and Misconceptions
Here are the most common misconceptions about the hand soap dispensers and the facts you should know.
1. “Soap Dispensers Look Ugly.”
Usually, people think that soap dispensers would look ugly in their beautifully-designed washroom. But, the fact is that they can add to the beauty of your bathroom. You are not bound to buy custom soap dispensers. Some companies design soap dispensers according to the customers’ desires. Yes, you can use your company logo or any other graphic along with your favorite color scheme.
You can get soap dispensers designed according to the overall look where you are going to place them. Having an eye-catching and unique dispenser will also encourage appropriate hand hygiene while offering a great impression. Thus, we can say that the soap dispensers are both useful and stylish.
2. “Soap Dispensers Catch Germs.”
There is a perception among a specific group of people that foam hand soap dispensers carry germs. They believe that soap dispensers are prone to germs. For example, germs can find their way to the soap container through human hands, when refilling a soap dispenser. These dispensers can catch germs even after they are cleaned appropriately and frequently with aggressive products, like bleach because of the biofilms.
However, the sealed soap dispensers are the closed dispensing systems. To refill these closed dispensers, you would be using sealed cartridges to insert soap into the soap dispensers. This method reduces the chances of germs contamination by eliminating contact between the environment and the product. Thus, the contamination risk is at a minimum.
The effectiveness of soap dispensers gets improved through antimicrobial technology. Recent research revealed an apparent decrease in bacteria presence on different products and surfaces after going through BioCote.
3. “Automatic Dispensers are a Superior Option.”
Automatic dispensers are hands-free devices, and they look glamorous. However, they may have certain drawbacks, including leaks and drips. If you don’t use or portion your automatic dispenser accurately, it may lead to product waste. However, a high-quality automatic soap dispenser is always a reliable option. When buying an automatic dispenser, pay focus on different factors like sensor effectiveness, ease-of-refill, and battery life.
4. “Soap Dispensers Do Not Provide Right Amount of Soap.”
The correct quantity of soap is needed to thoroughly wash your hands which is a fact that many people ignore. Generally, people wash their hands until they become visually clean. But, it is more critical to ensure effective bacterial cleansing. Some brands have manufactured smaller hand wash soap dosages and claims that this product offers an economic advantage because of more soap per liter doses.
So, the question is how much liquid or foam soap you need to use? According to a study conducted in 2012, about 0.7ml foam soap dose is perfect for one-time use. It also revealed that several manufacturers recommend using lower doses. In testing, approximately 0.4ml dose only covered 53% hand area. Thus, it is vital to buy foam hand soap dispensers from a reliable manufacturer for your restroom.
5. “Soap Dispensers only Dispense Soap.”
People usually perceive soap dispensers as devices that can only dispense soaps or maybe sanitizers. However, this is not true. Specific dispensers can stock materials, such as sunscreen, body wash, hand lotion and more. Therefore, you can use these dispensers for other health-related solutions. Before you buy a soap dispenser, you can ask the seller what other materials this dispenser can stock. You can replace them in the future with your foam or liquid soap.
6. “All Soap Dispensers Are Same.”
There are many types of soap dispensers available these days. Some people think that they all are same or created equally. However, it not true. From automatic to manual, counter to wall-mounted and cartridge to bag-in-box, they are operated and refilled in slightly different ways.
For instance, foam soap dispensers have less impact on the environment, and liquid soap dispensers ensure less product waste. The point is that every single soap dispenser comes with its specific advantages. Therefore, it is essential to compare all available options and chose according to your facility.
Wrapping Up
Hand hygiene directly impacts our health, so we need to debunk all the myths about liquid and foam hand soap dispensers. It’s a fact that most ailments transfer through hands. You can prevent many dangerous diseases by keeping your hands clean. It will protect you against risks, including food poisoning, flu and several other infections.
When choosing a dispensing system for your commercial facility, you should do proper research. Beware of the misleading information about the soap dispensers and buy high-quality soap dispensers for your business.