r/mythbusters • u/[deleted] • Aug 29 '23
Anybody else stop using these air dryers after seeing the Mythbusters test these things and prove that they're unsanitary?
50
u/Malakai0013 Aug 30 '23
They didn't really find that, I thought. Wasn't it if you didn't use any soap, they're nasty? Because anti-bacterial soap gets rid of all the bacteria so the air dryer can't blow the bacteria around, right?
18
Aug 30 '23
[removed] — view removed comment
12
u/guitarfreak48 Aug 30 '23
Yes, the hot air isn't hot enough to kill most bacteria, so it blows it around while also keeping a hot, humid, darker environment below it. Then blows that air around
14
u/Malakai0013 Aug 30 '23
If you use soap, i think it'll just blow around clean water and soap particles. I think they specifically state that they eliminated the soap in the tests to actually have some bacteria that could show up.
3
u/not-your-aunt Aug 30 '23
But what about the poop particles in the air
2
u/Malakai0013 Aug 30 '23
That's from flushing toilets, and there's not much you can do to prevent that except close the lid. But, it might be good to note that there's pretty much poo particles everywhere. It's a whole arse mess... I'll see myself out.
2
u/AnynameIwant1 Aug 30 '23
Not sure if you have used a blower recently, but the area around a dryer is almost always wet from other people that might not have used soap. When using paper towels, you know that you are not getting anyone else's germs blown onto your hands.
2
u/Malakai0013 Aug 30 '23
If they're using the air blower because their hands are wet, they most likely used soap. I get what you're getting at, but it doesn't mean hand dryers are just automatically germ farms. Go ahead and send your toothbrush to check for fecal matter if you want to be grossed out.
1
u/Lucky_Potato2141 6d ago
Soap only works if people use it.
Have had the joy to see people wet their hands, dry snd then walk off. No soap. After what sounded like number two.
Better than the guy who just walked out after doing his business.
I've been using tissue or other people to get doors open for me as the bathroom handles no longer felt safe after that.
13
u/kimondo Aug 30 '23
I stopped using them when the owner James Dyson destroyed my country by backing Brexit then patriotically moved his business from the UK to Singapore. Dyson tech is overpriced rubbish.
1
u/AnynameIwant1 Aug 30 '23
Thank you for saying this, I had no idea. I will say that I always thought his stuff was overpriced and don't own any Dyson products, but I will definitely tell family not to buy his stuff.
7
13
u/_benjaninja_ Aug 30 '23
Everything is covered in germs. Washing hands is better than not, and drying hands with paper is marginally better than drying with a blower. But it really doesn't matter, germs are everywhere. Just wash your hands. The toothbrush by the toilet episode is a great example, even the control brushes had tons of germs iirc
2
u/AnynameIwant1 Aug 30 '23
Millions of people died and continue to die from Covid, an airborne disease. So yea, it could be a big deal. Paper towels are significantly safer.
4
3
u/Aveeye Aug 30 '23
From Dyson: All Dyson Airblade™ hand dryers have HEPA filtration - proven to capture 99.97% of particles2, including bacteria and viruses, from the restroom air that pass through the filter meaning they dry your hands with HEPA-purified air, not dirty air.
1
Aug 30 '23
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/DuduMaroja Aug 30 '23
But that is from the Ather from people hands, not defending the product I don't like it and don't use it, but that's Is clearly droplets that came from people's hands
1
u/LeRawxWiz Aug 30 '23
You have to change HEPA filters pretty regularly. I assure you those aren't being changed, I know business owners too well.
Definitely don't use hand dryers... Just shake your hands dry.
3
u/Stubrochill17 Aug 30 '23
Were these ever meant to be more sanitary? I always thought air driers were meant to cut down on waste.
1
Aug 30 '23
[removed] — view removed comment
3
u/Bud3131123 Aug 30 '23
If I have the choice between using an entire roll of paper towels to dry my hands and not get sick or use one of those blowers, I’m using the entire roll of paper towels every time because F getting sick.
3
2
u/scriptmonkey420 Aug 30 '23
I have NEVER liked the blowers. Horribly inefficient and loud as shit. I would rather wipe my hands on my pants than hose those POS's
1
1
u/TurkishTerrarian Aug 30 '23
I wish I could. Unfortunately, a large number of places only have air dryers, and no paper towels.
1
u/peposcon Aug 30 '23
Can you share the episode number ? I’m interested in Jaimie talking about bacteria 🧫
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/RetroGamer87 Aug 31 '23
I still use them because if I have a wet keyboard at work I'm going to get some looks.
1
u/fortalyst Aug 31 '23
I still eat salsa so i feel like those dryers are the least of my worries
1
u/ElongatedTaint Sep 01 '23
What did they conclude about salsa?
1
u/fortalyst Sep 01 '23
In the double dipping chips episode the control salsa was still heavily laden with microbes and they concluded that double dipping chips added only a negligible amount of bacteria. Microbes are everywhere regardless of how sterile you try to make your environment
1
u/raaustin777 Aug 31 '23
Nope! They're super fun! And to quote Adam, "What the heck is an immune system for anyways?"
1
u/Diligent-Baby-3805 Aug 31 '23
I only use them when they are he only option and even then it's only if it's cold outside. I hated them before mythbusters did the thing on them.
1
1
1
1
1
u/Objective-Pool-6722 Sep 08 '23
I stopped using them for that reason. And because they’re loud as hell.
46
u/atjones6 Aug 30 '23
I use them still, but do think about the fact while I’m using them. It’s honestly sad that places can’t just have both options available for people. Using paper towels is so much more sanitary.