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Hand Soap & Sanitiser Dispensers: Essential Washroom Supplies
Whether your washrooms are for staff only or open to customers, staying topped up with hand soap and sanitiser is vital for good hygiene.
Our guide is here to help you choose the best hand soap dispenser and sanitiser dispenser solutions for your business. We’ve also added best practice tips so you can ensure your washrooms stay clean, pleasant, and compliant.
Hand soap dispensers vs sanitiser dispensers
It is a legal requirement under The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 to stock your business premises’ washrooms with sufficient hand washing agents. But is hand sanitiser more hygienic than hand soap?
While hand sanitiser may be considered the most convenient as it gets rid of germs and dries quickly on its own, and there’s no need for running water, hand soap offers a more thorough clean. The combination of hand soap and hot water removes bacteria and any visible dirt.
We recommend making sure your washroom is equipped with hand soap for the deepest clean. Also supplying hand sanitiser in bathrooms and in high-touch areas, such as entryways and reception desks, is a great way to ensure your space is as hygienic as possible.
Which sanitiser or hand soap dispenser is best for your business?
The next aspect to consider is which dispenser to choose. At phs, we supply a range of options to suit every facility, including:
Liquid soap dispensers
These dispensers hold liquid soap which, when combined with hot running water, lathers up to provide a thorough hand clean.
Foam soap dispensers
Foam soap is similar to liquid soap, except it contains air, so it already has a lathered texture. Because it is whipped with air, you typically need less product and less water to get a good hand clean. For this reason, it’s a cost-effective choice for many businesses.
Manual soap and sanitiser dispensers
Whether you opt for liquid soap, foam soap, or sanitiser gel, manual dispensers are the traditional choice and tend to be the most affordable. They feature a push button to release the product.
Automatic hand soap and sanitiser dispensers
Automatic dispensers are also available for all types of hand soap and sanitiser. Instead of a push button, these include sensors. As you hold your hand beneath the dispenser nozzle, the sensors trigger the release of the soap or sanitiser.
As a no-touch alternative to manual dispensers, these are a highly hygienic solution, reducing the risk of cross-contamination. They are also an accessible choice, which can be incredibly beneficial for those with limited mobility or dexterity.
Our top choices for a range of businesses, including schools, offices, and healthcare settings, include the phs ReVive SELECT Soap Dispenser, which is suitable for both liquid and foam soap, and our 5L Auto Hand Sanitiser Station.
For more advice, take a look at our guide to choosing the right commercial soap dispenser for your facility.
Best practices for your washroom hygiene supplies
Choosing the right hand soap or sanitiser dispenser is just one part of keeping your washrooms hygienic. Follow these best practices to ensure your facilities are clean and welcoming for employees, customers, and visitors:
- Refill your soap and hand dispensers regularly: It’s vital that anyone using your facilities has access to soap or sanitiser. How often you need to refill your dispensers depends on their capacity and the number of people using them daily. Most businesses will need to check and refill their dispensers once or twice daily.
- Consider single-use cartridges in healthcare settings: Single-use soap cartridges (rather than refill pouches) reduce the risk of bacteria being introduced to open dispensers, making them the most hygienic choice, especially for healthcare settings.
- Clean dispenser exteriors daily: All hand soap and sanitiser dispensers require a daily wipe down with an antibacterial cleaning product. This is especially important for push-button dispensers.
- Carry out a thorough clean monthly: At least once a month, your dispensers will require a deep clean on the exterior and interior. Make sure they dry properly before refilling them, as damp areas are a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Check and replace automatic dispenser batteries: Keep an eye on the batteries in your automatic soap dispensers to ensure they function at all times.
- Keep automatic sensors clear: It’s important to keep the sensors on automatic dispensers clear from dust, grime, and obstructions.
- Supply hand dryers or paper towels: To remain compliant with health and safety guidelines, you also need to provide a way for visitors to dry their hands to reduce the risk of contamination through water droplets. You can supply paper towels or electric hand dryers.
Keep your washroom dispensers topped up with phs
Whether you require free sanitiser dispenser installation, antibacterial soap pouch refills, or any other washroom hygiene supplies, the team at phs is here to make sure your washrooms are well-stocked and meet strict cleanliness standards.
Explore our hand care services and feel free to get in touch to discuss your requirements.
