When it comes to hand hygiene, washing tends to get all the attention. Yet drying is what truly completes the gesture. Hands that are not properly dried can facilitate the transfer of microorganisms to surfaces and between individuals, yet the choice of hand drying system is rarely treated as a strategic decision, hygiene or otherwise.
More organizations are taking a closer look at their practices. In Canada, demand for paper hand towels increased by 6.5% in Q3 2025, particularly across industrial, office, and public environments¹.
Paper vs. Electric Hand Dryers: A Balanced Comparison
Neither option is universally right. The best choice depends on your facility's priorities, constraints, and the experience you want to create.
| Paper hand towels | Electric dryers | |
|---|---|---|
| Hygiene | Fast, complete drying through direct contact, limiting residual moisture and surface transfer | Air movement can leave residual humidity; may disperse airborne particles in confined spaces |
| Speed | 10–15 seconds | 30–45 seconds; can create wait times in high-traffic environments |
| Noise | Quieter | Can be a source of daily friction in industrial facilities and open-plan offices |
| Maintenance | Predictable restocking and no heating element to service | No consumables, but components fail. A broken unit has no simple short-term fix |
| Employee experience | Consistent and unobtrusive; signals a well-managed space | Variable depending on unit performance and noise levels |
Matching the Solution to the Facility
Not all commercial restrooms operate under the same conditions, and the hand drying solution should reflect that. Cascades PRO offers a range of hand towel solutions designed to match the specific demands of each facility type.
In spaces where comfort and image matter (offices, reception areas, client-facing facilities), absorbency and texture are as important as performance. The T117 Cascades PRO Signature® Roll Hand Towel, textured for fast absorption and certified FSC® and CMA (Compost Manufacturing Alliance), is designed with exactly those environments in mind.
In high-volume settings where recycled content and consistency are the priority, the Cascades PRO Select® range delivers both. And in demanding industrial contexts, where hands are dried more frequently and conditions are rougher, durability becomes the primary criterion, which is where the Cascades PRO Perform® range holds up.
The Dispenser Matters as Much as the Paper
Even the best hand towel will underperform in the wrong dispenser. The C340 and C350 Cascades PRO Tandem® dispensers, designed to work seamlessly with Cascades PRO hand towels, help eliminate common friction points:
- Touchless dispensing to help reduce cross-contamination risks
- Level-view window to better anticipate refills
- Full roll usage to minimize waste
This results
in fewer unexpected interventions, better planning, and a smoother experience for users. For teams managing multiple priorities, this kind of built-in reliability makes a real difference.
Less Maintenance, More Peace of Mind
The fewer variables there are to manage, the more consistent the result. A well-designed paper hand towel system is built on that logic, reliability by design, not by luck.
For facility managers navigating growing regulatory requirements, working with a supplier whose solutions are already aligned simplifies that conversation too.
At Cascades PRO, we design complete solutions that support your operational goals while helping create spaces that are clean, efficient, and reassuring. Because beyond the equipment itself, it's the experience of the people and the flow of your operations that truly make the difference.
Want to build a maintenance plan that works for your reality? You want to learn more about our hygiene solutions?
Ask your local distributor for advice or reach out to our team at Cascades PRO® We’re here to help.
1 Precision Insights, last 12 months to September 30, 2025. All data is in “Short Tons” (paper towels and hand towels, toilet paper and napkins).
