A new Canadian survey has found that 75 per cent of people prefer to use paper towels to dry their hands rather than air dryers when both methods are available in public restrooms.

 In fact, after surveying more than 1,000 Canadians over the age of 18, Cadence Research, on behalf of Kruger Products, found that when only air dryers are available, 62 per cent of people look for other ways to dry their hands, from clothing to bathroom tissue. Some choose to not dry their hands at all.

 Disinterest stems from a number of reasons. Speed and time are big factors, as 91 per cent of respondents say paper towels dry faster, wile 85 per cent find lineups for air dryers are longer than lines for paper towels. Seventy-six per cent of respondents say air dryers are too noisy.

 “Business owners understand that just one poor experience during a customer’s interaction with them can damage the entire relationship,” said Rob Latter, corporate vice-president, AFH Business and Strategic Planning, Kruger Products. “Yet, when firms only make air dryers available in their washrooms, it could have a potentially negative effect on the customer’s experience should they not want to use it.  

 Latter says that everyone “serving the away from home marketplace should take note of these findings,” as customers are looking for alternate hand drying methods in on-site restrooms when only air dryers are available. 

 “While this type of behavior is unlikely to be reported, it can still negatively impact the customer experience,” he says. “With the findings indicating a paper towel preference, it is certainly an issue worth addressing.”