How to Dry Your Hands in a Public Bathroom

Operating Warm Air Dryers

Activate the dryer. Some warm air dryers have a start button that activates the air flow. Press the button to begin the dryer cycle. After some time, the air will stop flowing. Then, you will need to push the button again. Use a piece of paper to press the button so that you don't get your hands dirty again.

Place both hands under air nozzle. If the device is activated by a motion sensor, this will start the air flow. You may need to wait for a second or two. There can sometimes be a delay while the dryer attempts to “find” your hands.

Keep both hands in the air flow. Allow your hands to rest in the warmth of the air. Turn them slowly back and forth, and side to side, in the stream of warm air. You can do this as slowly or as quickly as you want.

Wait until your hands are dry. This will take a moment. You may want to count the seconds in your head to accurately judge the time.This method of hand drying takes around 45-50 seconds, so don’t rush the process. Someone with a disability, who has difficulty accessing the dryer may not be able to wait for their hands to be completely dry.

Restart the air flow. If the dryer stops before your hands are completely dry, begin the process again. With button start air dryers, one air cycle may not be enough to get your hands dry. Start another cycle by pressing the button again if you need more drying time.

Remove dry hands from air flow. Now, your hands are dry, so you may move them out of the air stream. Air dryers that have motion detection will stop automatically once your hands are no longer triggering the start sensor.

Drying with Jet Air Dryers

Stand in front of the jet air dryer. Be close, but try to give yourself enough room to maneuver your hands. Let your hands fall forward. With your fingers pointing at a downward angle, slowly move your hands next to the dryer opening.

Continue the downward movement. Jet air dryers are motion activated, so air flow will start once your hand movement is detected. Try to make this movement swift. Sometimes, slower movements will not be detected.

Lower your hands. Be sure to lower both hands entirely. You want to make sure that the air surrounds your wrists and hands.

Pull your hands back up. Gently raise both hands upward until they are almost out of the air stream. Move them in a way that allows them to brush against the airflow.

Dip your hands back into the airflow. When the airflow hits your fingertips, place your hands back into the airflow. You want your hands to be thoroughly covered.

Continue to lower and raise your hands. Repeat these motions until your hands are completely dry. You may even want to turn your hands so that your palms are facing upwards. This will ensure that both sides of your hands are dry. There is some concern that jet air or warm air dryers spread bacteria and germs.

Drying with Paper Towels

Pull off a section of paper towel. Paper towel dispensers can be stacked, on rolls, or in sheets. Use both hands to pull paper towels off. Rip the towels off gently or you will end up with half of a paper towel. Some dispensers work by simply pulling out the towels. Grasping the towel by the edge, gently pull the towel free from the dispenser. Roller dispensers will have towels that are perforated for separation. Hold both sides of the towel and pull straight down on the towel edge. A single sheet of towel will release automatically. Some roller dispensers have levers for dispensing the towels. Pressing on the lever will cause a sheet of paper towel to drop. Use both hands to separate it from the roll. Use your elbow to press the dispensing lever. This way, your freshly sanitized hands won’t pick up any germs that could be on the lever.

Press both hands onto the cloth. Placing your hands on opposite sides, rub the cloth briskly across your hands. There are different ways to do this. You can move them in the same direction, or you can move one hand up and the other hand down.

Take only as many towels as you need. Don’t overdo it. People generally take more towels than they need. If you shake excess water from your hands before using the paper towel, you can limit the number needed to get your hands dry. If you are concerned about environmental waste, you may want to avoid using paper towels when possible.

Rub your hands with the towel. Don’t be too quick. To get the excess water off your hands, you should allow the paper to rest on your hands for a few seconds. Be sure to dry your fingers and around finger nails.

Be sure your hands are completely dry. Look at your hands, are they still wet? If they are, you should keep drying them. After you're done, dispose the used towel in trash receptacles.

Using Cloth Roller Towels

Stand in front of the cloth roller dispenser. Try to give yourself room, so you can hold onto the cloth. Using both hands, pull down evenly on either side until you see fresh cloth.

Use the clean cloth to dry each hand. Hold the cloth with one hand and dry your other hand. Then, switch hands and repeat these movements. Don’t touch anything else while you do this. You don’t want to risk making your hands dirty.

Press both hands onto the cloth. Placing your hands on opposite sides, rub the cloth briskly across your hands. There are different ways to do this. You can move them in the same direction, or you can move one hand up and the other hand down.

Pull down the roller for more dry cloth. If the cloth becomes too saturated to get your hands completely dry, simply pull on the cloth to expose fresh toweling. Be careful to not touch the dryer’s exterior as you do this. Try not to rub your hands on the wet cloth, because this will only make your hands more damp.