Hand Dryers for the Restroom

Hand dryers are wall-mounted appliances that give employees, customers, or visitors the most sanitary way to dry their hands in public or business bathrooms. They also offer significant long-term cost savings over paper towels. The dryers are available in large and compact sizes, for different space and usage needs, and in ADA-compliant models. They come in a variety of materials and colors to match bathroom decor. Many offer optional hardwired or plug-in electrical connectivity. The bathroom dryers are part of a large family of paper towels, tissues, and dispenser products that Staples offers for public venues and the office place.

Hand dryers with automatic sensors
Most of the available dryers come with motion, often infrared, sensors to power on the drying blowers when users position their hands under the nozzle. The no-touch appliances are the best hand-drying method for minimizing the spread of germs. However, push-button bathroom hand dryers are also available.

Hand-drying time varies among models, depending on the strength of the blower motor. Many models rate their drying-time speed at between 20 and 30 seconds. However, some high-speed dryers may dry hands in a little as 7 to 10 seconds. The sensors shut down the blower when users move their hands away from the dryer. However, many models shut down automatically if individuals leave their hands under the blower nozzle for longer than a minute.

Other features of commercial bathroom hand dryers
Many hand-drying models for public and business bathrooms come with optional features that do require touching the appliance yet offer greater efficiency for users. Some models have optional low- and high-speed blower controls, as well as the option of heated or unheated air. Other hand dryers come with antimicrobial HEPA filtration units that trap bacteria from the moist ambient air. Some models also offer a water reservoir at the base of the unit to prevent water from building up on the floor below, as a safety precaution.

Do all hand dryers come with single blower nozzles?
No, some models have rows of blower nozzles that let you move your hands back and forth as you rub them dry. More innovative dryers have dual-directional blower outlets that dry both the front and back of the hands simultaneously. Still others offer a reservoir that lets you insert your hands into the dryer and raise them slowly upward to dry them.

What colors and materials are available?
The dryers come in both metallic and ABS plastic finishes, each rugged enough to stand up to high-frequency use and a moist environment. Metal casings are available in aluminum and stainless steel, including brushed stainless steel, many with chrome accents. ABS plastic casings come in several different colors to match bathroom decor, including colors such as red and white.

Do the hand dryers come with any accessories?
Besides accessory HEPA filters for the antimicrobial dryer units, other dryers come with kits for recessing them into walls in bathrooms with narrow passageways. These recess kits enable companies and public entities to become ADA-compliant, by removing wall obstructions for those using wheelchairs.