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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
09:02
A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens
Published on: June 7, 2017
Effects of 4 hand-drying methods for removing bacteria from washed hands: a randomized trial
D R Gustafson1, E A Vetter, D R Larson
1Division of Clinical Microbiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings
|July 25, 2000
Summary
Four common hand-drying methods showed no significant difference in removing bacteria from washed hands. This study evaluated cloth towels, paper towels, forced air dryers, and natural evaporation for bacterial reduction efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infection Control
- Public Health
Background:
- Hand hygiene is crucial for preventing pathogen transmission.
- Effective hand drying is an essential component of hand hygiene.
- Various hand-drying methods exist, but their comparative efficacy in bacterial removal is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the bacterial removal efficiency of four distinct hand-drying methods.
- To assess the impact of cloth towels, paper towels, forced air dryers, and spontaneous evaporation on bacterial counts post-washing.
Main Methods:
- A randomized prospective study involving 100 adult volunteers.
- Artificial contamination of hands with Micrococcus luteus, followed by washing with non-antibacterial soap.
- Bacterial counts determined using a modified glove-juice sampling procedure before and after drying by four methods.
Main Results:
- Data from 99 subjects were analyzed.
- No statistically significant differences in bacterial colony-forming units were observed among the four drying methods (P = .72).
Conclusions:
- The study found no significant difference in the effectiveness of cloth towels, paper towels, forced air, or natural evaporation for removing bacteria from washed hands.
- These findings suggest that current common hand-drying methods are comparable in their ability to reduce bacterial load.
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