How Should You Dry Your Hands After Washing?

After washing, hands should be dried completely using a clean towel or an effective hand dryer. Pay attention to the palms, backs of the hands, fingertips and spaces between the fingers. Do not stop while the hands are still damp or finish drying them on clothing. In commercial washrooms, facilities should provide a drying method that is fast, touch-free where possible and suited to the volume of daily users.

These days most people are more accustomed to good handwashing practices and the benefits this can have on infection control. It’s also fair to assume that most people don’t consider how thoroughly they dry their hands.

That could all change if considering the thoughts of one leading microbiologist, who believes that not drying hands properly after using the bathroom could be almost as bad as not washing them at all.

Why Hand Drying After Washing Matters for Hand Hygiene

Dr D. L. Webber, an expert in the field of microbiology with over 50 years’ experience, explains how hand drying is just as important as hand washing when it comes to limiting the spread of diseases:

“Bacteria thrives on damp surfaces,” begins Dr Webber, “hands included.”

Residual moisture makes it easier for microbes to transfer from hands to people, clothing and frequently touched surfaces. The CDC advises people to dry their hands completely and recognizes both clean towels and air hand dryers as effective options. WHO handwashing guidance also treats thorough drying as part of the complete hand hygiene process.

“Moist hands are also more likely to become contaminated when touching surfaces colonized by potentially pathogenic (disease-causing) microbes – particularly when using the washroom. This demonstrates that not drying hands properly could be less hygienic than not washing them at all.

“The research demonstrated that the transfer of bacteria was directly related to the time and effectiveness of hand drying, the transfer of bacteria progressively decreased as water was removed.”

To help people to recognize how good they are at drying their hands, here at Airdri, we have teamed up with Dr Webber to identify eight distinct hand drying styles, which we believe should cover most styles of drying.

These are outlined below, with comments from Dr Webber on the effectiveness of each style. The campaign is being shared nationwide and on social media to raise awareness of the importance of hand drying.

Common Hand-Drying Styles and Mistakes

The Surgeon: this person is extremely thorough, earning them an ‘A star’ for their drying technique. They get into all the cracks like a doctor scrubbing up for surgery and spend a good amount of time making sure every nook and cranny is moisture-free and clear of bacteria. The Surgeon is not afraid to use a second drying cycle to ensure that their hands are completely dry (remembering not all air dryers are equal!).

The Wringer: Imagine how you would wring your hands in worry, that’s this hand dryer. As they remove the water from their hands under the hand dryer, they may appear like an anxious student waiting for their exam results, but it’s an effective way to dry hands. The friction created will remove droplets of water and assist the dryer in doing its job.

The Flicker/The Shaker: There are a few similar styles within this category, but the premise is the same. The person who flicks or shakes the water from their hands ahead of using the hand dryer. Contaminated water droplets end up all over the mirror, basin, walls, and floor etc. While they may be no friend of the bathroom cleaners, in terms of hand drying it’s an effective technique as it removes surplus water before the hand dryer does its job.

The same can’t be said for the bathroom surfaces however, as bacteria from the hands contaminate a wide area.

If this is you, perhaps try and aim for the sink to limit droplets being dispersed around the bathroom – it’s more hygienic and it will make the cleaners’ job easier.

The Paper Waster: This person grabs a massive stack of paper towels and wipes their hands on perhaps 10 per cent of the towels. It may arguably be an effective way to dry the hands, but what about the environment? Every paper towel used ends up in landfill as they can’t be recycled for hygienic purposes.

The Loo Roll Smuggler: A variation on the paper waster theme is this person, who notes a lack of hand drying facilities or the inadequate hand dryer and brings toilet roll out of the cubicle to dry their hands. The result is hands covered in tiny, soggy bits of contaminated toilet paper.

The One with Soggy Trousers: This person partly dries their hands under the dryer and then proceeds to finish them off on their jeans/trousers or other items of clothing using either a dabbing or rubbing motion. Their hands may be dry; however, clothing can become contaminated and can also transfer microbes onto the clean skin, plus it’s an uncomfortable way to spend the rest of the day wearing damp clothes. This user should try another dry cycle to completely rid their hands of water.

The Hair Styler: This person is a rare breed, so extra points if you spot one. They exist mainly in bars and nightclubs and after slightly drying their hands under a dryer they proceed to finish them off on their hair as a styling aid. They may leave the bathroom with not a hair out of place, but their hands could be as dirty as before they washed them.

Hair produces natural oils for protection and can be contaminated with normal skin bacteria including Propionibacterium acnes (the causative agent of acne) and Escherichia coli (a common bacterium which can cause food poisoning, diarrhea, and urinary tract infections).

The Drip-Dry Dodger: This thoughtless person doesn’t dry their hands at all. Wet hands transfer large numbers of bacteria and viruses to all surfaces they come into contact with, and from a hygienic perspective it would be better if they had not washed their hands. If this, is you, it’s time to stop and rethink.

How to Dry Hands Properly After Washing

For a proper hand drying technique:

1. Keep excess water over the sink instead of shaking it onto surrounding surfaces.
2. Position both hands in the airflow and follow the dryer manufacturer’s recommended movement.
3. Expose the palms, backs of the hands, fingers and spaces between the fingers to the airflow.
4. Continue for the full drying cycle or until the hands are completely dry.
5. Avoid wiping clean hands-on clothing, shared cloths or other surfaces.

Speaking of the best and worst handwashing practices, Dr Webber concluded:

“The ultimate goal of hand washing, and drying is to leave the washroom with clean, dry hands and you need to be a surgeon or a wringer, spending time and effort to achieve this result – while probably infuriating other washroom users waiting to use the basin and dryers. The flicker/shaker and paper waster may also leave with clean dry hands, preventing microbial contamination by skin transfer to surfaces they contact – but with hygienic and environmental impacts respectively.

“The remaining users, particularly the drip-dry dodger, leave the washroom with improperly dried hands. Their drying styles are unhygienic and could even be described as anti-social.”

Even when users understand how to dry hands properly, the equipment provided affects whether they complete the process. A dryer that is slow, difficult to use or poorly maintained encourages people to stop early. High-traffic facilities need drying equipment that supports fast throughput and dependable operation throughout the day.

Paper Towels, Hand Dryers and Air Drying: A Practical Comparison

The best way to dry hands after washing depends on the setting, traffic level and maintenance plan. Each of the main hand drying methods can support hygiene when it is used correctly and leaves the hands completely dry.

Paper towels are highly absorbent and can remove moisture quickly. The friction and wicking involved in towel drying may also remove some microorganisms remaining after washing. They are often effective within around 10 seconds, provided enough paper is used to dry the hands completely. However, facilities must account for purchasing, storage, refilling and waste disposal. Reusable cloth or cotton towels require controlled replacement and laundering; when shared, left damp or inadequately cleaned, they may become a source of cross-contamination.

High-speed hand dryers typically achieve drying in approximately 10–20 seconds, depending on the model. Their touch-free operation can eliminate paper waste and reduce recurring consumable costs, although regular maintenance and cleaning remain essential. For this reason, they are commonly used in high-traffic commercial washrooms where efficiency and throughput are priorities. Some laboratory studies have found that high-speed airflow can disperse droplets or microorganisms into the surrounding environment, although results vary according to dryer design and study conditions. Facilities should therefore compare filtration, cleaning requirements and overall performance rather than treating all hand dryers as equivalent.

Passive air drying, by contrast, is variable and generally much slower. While it requires no equipment or consumables, users may leave before their hands are fully dry, which limits its effectiveness in shared environments. It is therefore more appropriate for low-use or private settings where waiting time is not a concern.

Choosing a Hand Dryer for a Commercial Washroom

Facilities should evaluate premium hand dryers by their complete operating value, not purchase price alone. Airports, service stations, fast-food restaurants, stadia and other busy venues need equipment that can manage frequent use without creating avoidable maintenance or waste-management demands.

Technical Specifications to Review

Compare drying time, energy used per dry, rated power, noise output in dBA, ADA compliance, touch-free activation, cover construction, anti-vandalism features and warranty coverage. Where enhanced contamination control is appropriate, consider a model with effective filtration. Durable, easy-to-clean covers and straightforward service access also help facilities maintain consistent performance.

PowerDRI is the fastest premium hand dryer available and the most energy-efficient premium hand dryer available. It combines a 10-second dry time with an 800-watt motor, touch-free activation, ADA compliance, an in-built H13-grade HEPA filter, anti-vandalism features and a 7-year warranty. Its compact, design-led appearance is made to match its performance.

Best Practices for Drying Hands in High-Traffic Washrooms

Install drying equipment where users can move naturally from the sink without creating cross-traffic or blocking accessible routes. Use clear signage to remind users to continue until their hands are dry. Include dryers and the surrounding wall and floor areas in scheduled cleaning inspections.

Facilities teams should also test activation, check airflow and follow the manufacturer’s preventive maintenance guidance. Select noise output according to the space: speed may lead in a busy concourse, while lower noise may be more important in lounges, schools or other quieter areas.

Hand-Drying FAQs

What is the most hygienic way to dry your hands?

Use a clean towel or an effective air hand dryer until the hands are completely dry. Current public-health guidance does not identify one of these methods as universally superior. Correct use, complete drying and proper facility maintenance are essential.

How long should you dry your hands under a hand dryer?

Follow the dryer’s stated cycle and continue until no moisture remains. Drying time varies by model. PowerDRI is designed to dry hands in 10 seconds, while slower dryers may require a longer cycle.

What happens if you do not dry your hands properly?

Residual moisture makes it easier for microbes to transfer when a person touches doors, clothing, equipment or other people. Damp hands may also lead users to wipe them on surfaces that can recontaminate freshly washed skin.