In an public building are womans toilets whit sinks

Contributed by Deb Group.

It’s no surprise that nice, clean restrooms can have a big impact on your business. In fact, a survey by Bradley Corp. found that nearly 60 percent of Americans make a conscious decision to visit a specific business because they know it has nice restrooms. But why make the investment in a nice restroom with mosaic tile or modern light fixtures if you’re just going to slap a white plastic soap dispenser box on the wall? 

Consider Custom
There’s a common myth that “soap dispensers are ugly.” Although this often comes down to a matter of opinion, some companies offer custom dispensers that will brighten your restroom and align with your brand image. You can choose from a vast palette of colors and chrome options to customize each component of your dispenser, including the dispenser backplate, button and cover. Some companies even allow you to add a logo or image and insert text. The customizable options allow you to create a one-of-a-kind dispenser that will make an impression on everyone visiting your facility.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 80 percent of illnesses can be transmitted by hands, which is why practicing good hand hygiene throughout the day is so important in keeping everyone healthy. Custom dispensers are not only stylish, but effective. A unique and eye-catching soap dispenser can encourage proper hand hygiene while giving patrons a positive impression of your brand and facility.

Leave The Bulk Behind
The last thing you want is to invest time and money into designing a custom dispenser that dispenses contaminated soap. For instance, when refilling a bulk soap dispensing system, germs from the outside environment or the person’s hands can easily contaminate the soap reservoir. Even when the equipment is cleaned frequently with aggressive products such as bleach, researchers have identified a high risk of recontamination due to biofilms – microorganisms that stick to each other and adhere to surfaces.

Sealed dispensing systems are “closed” and are refilled by inserting a sealed soap cartridge into the dispenser, minimizing the risk of bacterial contamination. This method eliminates contact between the product and the environment before the product is used to wash hands, reducing the risk of contamination.

Many bulk dispensers are also unlocked, allowing guests to easily access the contents inside which can make it a safety hazard in public environments. Locked cartridge systems don’t allow users to access the soap or sanitizer inside, making it a safer solution for high traffic establishments and schools.

The use of antimicrobial technology is also effective in reducing the number of germs on soap dispensers. A recent study found a clear reduction in the total number of bacteria present on various surfaces and products that had been treated with a silver-ion technology, such as BioCote.

Beyond The Bathroom
The good news is that you don’t have to limit your design ideas to your restroom soap dispensers. A 2015 Bradley Corp. survey found that while 92 percent of Americans believe it’s important to wash their hands after using a public restroom, only 66 percent of them follow through. Over a third of survey respondents also admitted to skipping soap and rinsing with just water. This makes it extra important to provide hand sanitizer throughout your facility.

To limit sick days and prioritize the health of workers, students and guests, it’s essential to provide soap and sanitizer dispensers that work properly and encourage hand washing. Paired with a safe hand sanitizer or soap, custom dispensers can help facility managers promote hand washing, reducing the risks of cross-contamination and prevent infection.

It’s also important to remember the power of image and branding. For example, colleges and universities use their brand image in unique ways to attract new students and faculty. Custom dispensers that feature a school mascot, company logo or elegant design can help a school or company spread its message and image throughout the building, while also keeping hand hygiene in mind.

The best way to remind employees, customers, students and other visitors to use hand sanitizer is by making it easily accessible and always within sight. It’s important to place hand sanitizer near and around high-touch surfaces and communal areas, including:

•    Entrances and exits. A single doorknob or light switch could potentially be the cause of a widespread illness in any facility. Make sure to provide a hand sanitizing station nearby to limit the spread of infection.

•    Cafeterias, food courts and break rooms. Researchers at the University of Florida found that between 2 and 10 million bacteria live between a person’s fingertip and elbow, and if food is consumed with germ-ridden hands, it’s easy to digest the germs and become infected with several diseases. Although hand sanitizer is not a replacement for anyone who prepares food, it can help eliminate certain germs.

•    High-traffic areas. High-traffic areas like airport terminals, mall hallways and recreational centers should offer hand hygiene stations to ensure visitors stay as healthy as possible. Not only does this keep high-traffic areas clean, it helps improve the image of the airport, mall or recreational center.

•    Transaction counters. Time magazine reported on a 2017 study, where researchers swabbed $1 bills from a bank and discovered hundreds of species of microorganisms living on them. After handling cash, it’s crucial to clean your hands, especially if you’re going to consume food shortly afterwards. Keeping hand sanitizer near transaction areas, such as the cafeteria check-out counter, reminds people to engage in hand hygiene when it’s needed most.

There are many products that can be stocked in a dispenser. Sunscreen, hand lotion, heavy duty cleaners and more can all be dispensed from various types of customized dispensers that contribute to different aspects of health and wellness. No matter where they are located in your facility, these dispensers can be customized to match your brand and décor.

A welcoming dispenser system can make a significant contribution to increasing hand hygiene compliance. Restroom users are much more likely to wash their hands with soap if the product is available from pleasant-looking, clean and tidy dispensing systems. Whether a dispenser features a company’s tagline or colorful image, consider a company that offers custom dispensers to match the décor of any facility.

KAITLIN INGRAM is a senior marketing specialist at Deb, part of SC Johnson Professional.