Why Drying Your Hands Is as Important as Washing Them

By now, everyone knows the importance of washing their hands properly and regularly, especially when they're trying to prevent the transmission and contraction of viruses. But that's just half of the message. Drying your hands — the other half of this crucial public health message — is just as important.

Research indicates that moist hands can spread up to 1 000 times more germs than dry ones. This is what makes drying your hands especially more important when you share a bathroom with other people. When you touch a high-touch surface such as a door handle with wet hands, you've created the perfect conditions for recontamination.

Most people mistakenly believe hot air drying is the most hygienic way to dry their hands. A 2008 study by the University of Westminster found that the use of paper towels reduces the number of germs on your hands by up to 77%. Warm air dryers, on the other hand, can actually increase the germs on your hands.

When drying your hands, a single-use paper towel is your best bet. Paper towels only take a few seconds to dry your hands completely and remove nearly 100% of germs. This is in stark contrast to a warm air dryer, which takes an average of 43 seconds to get your hands only 95% dry. Additionally, rubbing your hands with a paper towel creates friction that further reduces the number of germs on your hands.

When they're not washed regularly, towels become the perfect breeding ground for germs. Ideally, you should be washing your hand and bath towels after each use and wringing it dry to prevent it from remaining damp for too long.

We touch a number of surfaces throughout the day, and these surfaces have different potential to harbour germs. It goes without saying that hand hygiene  best practices are an essential part of preventing the spread of viruses. But as you can see, why should you dry your hands after washing is a question that deserves just as much attention as washing in the first place.

Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitiser, and thoroughly dry your hands to give yourself the best protection against germs.

Why is drying my hands after washing important? 

Because wet hands spread germs much more easily than dry hands.

What is the most hygienic way to dry my hands? 

Using single-use paper towels is best—they dry hands quickly and remove most germs.

How often should I wash my hand and bath towels? 

Ideally, wash towels after each use to prevent germ buildup.