Think about it: Paper Hand Towels. Most of us will encounter them daily – at work, in our favourite cafe or restaurants, during a hotel stay or a quick stop at the service station. There, ready to perform the simplest of tasks, to dry our hands for better hand hygiene. This everyday convenience is something we have grown accustomed to perhaps even take for granted. 

But here at AUK Hygiene, Paper Hand Towels mean the world to us. As a leading UK supplier of cleaning & hygiene products for commercial cleaning companies with more than 40 years of experience within the sector, we have seen a lot of paper hand towels. In fact, it has consistently been one of our bestselling products since we launched the business back in 1984. 

Whether it’s folded hand towels, rolled hand towels, premium and luxury hand towels, eco hand towels, budget hand towels, white, blue and green hand towels, 1 and 2 ply hand towels, our carefully selected range of towels and dispensers cater for every need in commercial, industrial or hospitality environments. 

We think we know a thing or two about this unsung hero of the washroom so, as part of our mission to make cleaning and hygiene easier, we have created this ‘Handy guide to Hand Towels’ to help you make a more informed decision on your next purchase. 

 

Are paper hand towels hygienic? 

The most frequently asked questions relating to paper hand towels are about how hygienic they are, especially when compared to dryers. Studies suggest that paper hand towels are indeed hygienic and offer a superior solution in preventing the spread of germs due to the physical removal of microbes, whilst air dryers can be prone to blowing contaminants into the air. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends single-use towels like paper towels as a hygienic choice.

Are paper hand towels bad for the environment?

Many of us are concerned about the impact manufacturing of paper products has on our environment due to threats of deforestation, water usage, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. 

Many paper towels are made from recycled materials, such as our Eco Interfold Hand Towel, thus reducing the overall impact of their production. However, they themselves are not recyclable as a contaminated waste product. 

Sadly, electric hand dryers are no angels either. Modern, high speed, air dryers may be more energy efficient but older, warm-air dryers tend to guzzle energy during use. There are also concerns over the associated environmental impact of production including material extraction and greenhouse gas emissions. 

Unfortunately, drying our hands in a hygienic manner does come at a cost. But it is a cost that many companies are prepared to swallow as the demand for healthy and sanitary practices grows. 

How absorbent are paper hand towels?

Absorbency is a primary function of a hand towel. What use would it be if it didn’t absorb water? Many factors affecting it, such as the type of fibres (virgin vs. recycled), the number of plies (single ply vs. multi-ply), and the presence of embossing or patterns. 

A virgin fibre hand towel tends to be more absorbent and stronger than a recycled towel, and whilst embossing doesn’t necessarily add to the absorbency of the product, embossing is most often present on a luxury towel than isn’t recycled. 

Multi-ply towels are thicker and more absorbent than single-ply towels.

Can paper towels be recycled?

Generally, the answer is no, as they are considered contaminated waste after use, especially in public restrooms and kitchens.

What are the different hand towel folds?

C-fold, V-fold and Z-fold. What does it mean and why is there more than one way to fold a hand towel? Here’s our explanation.

• C-fold Hand Towels: Boasting the largest overall sheet size, the traditional C-fold hand towels have been folded in half then had their edges tucked in so that its footprint is just 9cm x 23cm, fitting most paper hand towel dispensers. 

PROS: Large sheet offering more drying capacity when used correctly.

CONS: Often stay folded up when dispensed so a large percentage of the towel is not used. Not great if you are trying to cut down on waste.

• V-fold Hand Towels: Simply folded in half and stacked to interlock, the V-fold towels are designed to open up on dispensing offering a sheet size of 22cm x 25cm.

PROS: Better value for money as each sheet is used in its entirety

CONS: Don’t usually fit into narrow dispensers

• Z-fold Hand Towels: The best of both worlds, the Z-fold Hand Towel offers a large format sheet (27cm x 23cm) folded into three layers and interlocked with each other. The multi-fold means that the towels can still fit in a standard dispenser making the switch from C-fold to Z-fold easier. 

PROS: Dispenses fully, one at a time reducing waste

CONS: None really

What are the best ways to use paper towels for hygiene?

By following some simple steps, you can maximise the hygienic benefits of using paper hand towels and minimise the risk of spreading germs. 

1. Single Use: Remember… Paper towels are designed to be used once. Do not try and reuse them multiple times.
2. Dry Thoroughly: Damp hands are more likely to harbour bacteria. Take your time and dry your hands thoroughly including between your fingers and your fingernails.
3. Pat and Rub: The friction from rubbing helps to physically remove any remaining germs.
4. Turning off taps and opening doors: After washing and drying your hands, you can use the paper towel to turn off the taps and open the doors for extra protection. 
5. Disposal: Make sure you put your used the paper towels in the waste bins provided to reduce the risk of contamination.

Why AUK Hygiene's hand towels are the smart choice for your business.

To help you make the best choice for your business needs, we have bought together a range of hand towel products that offer a variety of qualities, including: 

• Superior Absorbency: Hand towels that are crafted from high-grade materials, ensuring rapid and efficient drying. This reduces waste as fewer towels are needed per hand dry, saving you money.

Featured Product: Superior Absorbency Hand Towel 

• Durable and Reliable: Engineered for everyday use in demanding environments, hand towels that maintain their integrity. This longevity translates to fewer replacements and lower overall costs.

Featured Product: Durable Hand Towels

• Soft and Gentle: Hand towels that are designed to be soft to the touch, providing a pleasant and hygienic hand-drying experience for everyone.

Featured Product: Soft and gentle hand towels

• Variety of Materials: Choose from a range of premium materials, including: 
  • High-Quality Paper Towels: Offering excellent absorbency and hygiene, available in various folds (C-fold, Z-fold, V-fold) with a choice of 1ply or 2ply options.

Featured Product: High Quality Paper Hand Towel

Explore our extensive range of hand towel products and dispensers.

Click Here to explore our full range of paper hand towels. You'll find detailed product descriptions, specifications, and clear pricing to help you make informed decisions.

What’s more, we have a comprehensive selection of hand towel dispensers available in a variety of sizes, styles and finishes that will look great and deliver on function in any environment.

Affordability without sacrificing on quality.

As a commercial cleaning wholesaler, our customers can enjoy the financial benefits of ordering in larger quantities – a great way to optimise your budget whilst meeting your long-term needs. 

We are committed to offering our customers competitive pricing on our paper hand towel and dispensing solutions without compromising on the quality of our products. 

Tailored Solutions to meet industry standards.

Our extensive range of hand towels ensures you'll find the perfect solution for your specific industry and requirements. Whether you operate in:

• Offices and Commercial Buildings: Provide a clean and professional environment for your employees and visitors.
• Healthcare Facilities: Maintain stringent hygiene standards with our highly absorbent and hygienic options.
• Hospitality and Leisure: Offer a comfortable and premium experience for your guests.
• Education and Public Sector: Ensure cost-effective and reliable hygiene solutions for high-traffic areas.
• Industrial and Manufacturing: Provide durable and absorbent towels for demanding work environments.

Hand Hygiene Solutions – Delivered with care.

At AUK Hygiene, we pride ourselves in delivering an exceptional customer experience at every touch point. Not only do we offer a ‘Core Stock Guarantee’ which ensures our most popular products are always ‘In Stock’ when needed, our innovative systems, and friendly and knowledgeable customer care team make the business of ordering, managing, and receiving products fast and efficient. Some might even say EASY. 

• Innovative Customer Account Management: Our customer account management system allows our customers to fully manage their products, orders, users, delivery sites, budgets, and financials effectively through one portal. What’s more, our unique Easy Access QR code ordering system enables site workers to order from pre-approved collection of products, making the administration of on-site stock management straightforward. 
• Personalised Delivery Service: AUK Hygiene operate their own fleet of delivery vehicles offering a personalised delivery service to businesses across the South West and further afield. All our drivers are security checked, perfect for deliveries to secure sites. 
• Next Day anywhere in the UK: Either through our own delivery network, or by using a carefully selected courier service, we can deliver next day to majority of the UK mainland (and British Isles subject to transportation links)
• Stay Informed: Every step of the way, we like to keep our customers up to date with their orders and deliveries. Using our smart scheduling software, we are able to let our customers know when they can expect their delivery to arrive.
• Excellent Customer Service: Our dedicated UK based customer care team is available by email or telephone to assist you with any queries to ensure a smooth purchasing experience.

So, what are you waiting for? Order your hand towels today from AUK Hygiene.