--- title: Pitfalls of Commercial Sinks for Handwashing description: Commerical settings need to focus on hygiene more now than ever. And commercial hand sinks just don't cut it. Learn why these handwashing stations aren't up to the task. image: https://www.meritech.com/hubfs/Pitfalls%20of%20Commercial%20Sinks%20for%20Handwashing.png --- [ Skip navigation menu ](https://www.meritech.com/blog/pitfalls-of-commercial-sinks-for-handwashing#content) [![meritech-logo-tagline](https://www.meritech.com/hs-fs/hubfs/lafferty-website-2026/global-assets/meritech-logo-tagline.png?width=200&height=74&name=meritech-logo-tagline.png) ](https://www.meritech.com/) - [ Hygiene Systems ](https://www.meritech.com/products/hygiene-solutions) Show submenu for Hygiene Systems - [ Automated Hand Hygiene ](https://www.meritech.com/products/hand-sanitation-stations) - [ Boot Scrubbers and Footwear Sanitation ](https://www.meritech.com/products/boot-scrubbers) - [ Industries ](https://www.meritech.com/markets) Show submenu for Industries - [ Food Processing & Manufacturing ](https://www.meritech.com/markets/food-processing) - [ Healthcare ](https://www.meritech.com/markets/healthcare_medical) - [ Hospitality ](https://www.meritech.com/markets/travel_leisure) - [ Education ](https://www.meritech.com/markets/education) - [ Gyms and Public Facilities ](https://www.meritech.com/markets/gyms-and-public-facilities-meritech) - [ Cleanroom and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing ](https://www.meritech.com/markets/pharmaceutical-cleanroom) - [ Grocery ](https://www.meritech.com/markets/grocery) - [ Municipality and Correction Facilities ](https://www.meritech.com/markets/municipality-and-correction-facilities-meritech) - [ Why Us ](https://www.meritech.com/why-meritech) - [ Support ](https://www.meritech.com/services/technical-support) Show submenu for Support - [ Resources ](https://www.meritech.com/resources) - [ Blog ](https://www.meritech.com/blog) - [ Technical Support ](https://www.meritech.com/services/technical-support) - [ Success Stories ](https://www.meritech.com/meritech-cleantech-testimonials) [ Contact ](https://www.meritech.com/contact/) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ** Toggle main navigation - [ Hygiene Systems ](https://www.meritech.com/products/hygiene-solutions) Show submenu for Hygiene Systems - [ Automated Hand Hygiene ](https://www.meritech.com/products/hand-sanitation-stations) - [ Boot Scrubbers and Footwear Sanitation ](https://www.meritech.com/products/boot-scrubbers) - [ Industries ](https://www.meritech.com/markets) Show submenu for Industries - [ Food Processing & Manufacturing ](https://www.meritech.com/markets/food-processing) - [ Healthcare ](https://www.meritech.com/markets/healthcare_medical) - [ Hospitality ](https://www.meritech.com/markets/travel_leisure) - [ Education ](https://www.meritech.com/markets/education) - [ Gyms and Public Facilities ](https://www.meritech.com/markets/gyms-and-public-facilities-meritech) - [ Cleanroom and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing ](https://www.meritech.com/markets/pharmaceutical-cleanroom) - [ Grocery ](https://www.meritech.com/markets/grocery) - [ Municipality and Correction Facilities ](https://www.meritech.com/markets/municipality-and-correction-facilities-meritech) - [ Why Us ](https://www.meritech.com/why-meritech) - [ Support ](https://www.meritech.com/services/technical-support) Show submenu for Support - [ Resources ](https://www.meritech.com/resources) - [ Blog ](https://www.meritech.com/blog) - [ Technical Support ](https://www.meritech.com/services/technical-support) - [ Success Stories ](https://www.meritech.com/meritech-cleantech-testimonials) [ Contact ](https://www.meritech.com/contact/) Post Tags - [Hand Hygiene Resources](https://www.meritech.com/blog/tag/hand-hygiene-resources) # Pitfalls of Commercial Sinks for Handwashing [Joe Johnson](https://www.meritech.com/blog/author/joe-johnson) Jul 30, 2020 2 min read ![](https://www.meritech.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pitfalls%20of%20Commercial%20Sinks%20for%20Handwashing.png?width=1600&height=900&name=Pitfalls%20of%20Commercial%20Sinks%20for%20Handwashing.png) There's always been a need for a high-level of hygiene in restaurants, airports and many other sensitive, high-traffic settings. These areas require more attention to personal hygiene, which means handwashing has extremely high importance. With that importance comes a greater necessity to equip employees and the general public with the right tools to achieve optimal hand hygiene. Commercial handwashing stations, either manual or semi-automated, are the most common choice due to their competitive cost and familiarity to all, but they have some serious pitfalls that need addressing ## Cross-contamination One major issue common among manual handwashing stations is the opportunity for cross contamination. From turning on and off the faucet, to pumping the soap or paper towel dispenser, there are countless opportunities to pass around germs and recontaminate your hands. ## Varying levels of efficacy  While cross-contamination can be mitigated by semi-automated sinks, soap dispensers, and towel dispensers, you are still faced with reliance on the user to perform each step properly. [And there are a lot of steps in the handwashing process!](https://www.meritech.com/blog/step-by-step-handwashing-guide) With manual handwashing there is a high likelihood steps will be skipped or done improperly, resulting in insufficient pathogen removal. ## Waste! A lesser known negative of manual commercial sinks is the amount of water wasted. During a manual hand wash around 60% of the water used never even touches the hand! Semi-automated sinks can help reduce water waste by turning off automatically while the user is scrubbing, but that presents additional problems. Most semi-automated faucets lack proper water flow and have poor sensor technology that results in the "hand dance", people waving their hands in hopes of starting water flow only for it to turn off too quickly or not turn on at all! These factors reduce efficacy even further.  Commercial businesses face high direct traffic across various industries. These companies not only have to worry about the health and safety of their employees but also their customers. Between public restrooms and food preparation areas, these businesses rely on commercial hand wash sinks and their effectiveness daily. These unreliable hand hygiene methods pose serious risk to businesses. It's important to provide an effective, easy to use hygiene method to protect your employees, your guests, and your brand.  ### Come clean with Meritech Compared to commercial hand wash sinks, [automated handwashing stations ](https://www.meritech.com/blog/why-automated-hygiene-is-better-for-longterm-health-and-safety)make a huge difference in improving and regulating hand hygiene. By reducing washing time, enhancing cleanliness and tracking employee compliance, employers can better enforce hygiene protocols and create a safer, healthier environment for both employees and consumers. Manufacturing the perfect hand wash has been Meritech's goal for many years. Incorporating the finest materials and best engineering, and with an eye on customer satisfaction, Meritech is here to help businesses achieve their hygiene goals. To learn more, [contact us](https://www.meritech.com/contact/?hsCtaTracking=94675a9c-dc41-49c3-a2d2-6c171c6f8ad2%7Cf5440f1c-cd55-44ec-ad91-8162f50cbc03) today! ### Get The Latest Posts in Your Inbox ## Related Posts - ![](https://www.meritech.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Whats%20the%20Relationship%20between%20Gloves%20and%20Hand%20Hygiene.png?width=500&height=375&name=Whats%20the%20Relationship%20between%20Gloves%20and%20Hand%20Hygiene.png) [Hand Hygiene Resources](https://www.meritech.com/blog/tag/hand-hygiene-resources) ### [ What's the Relationship between Gloves and Hand Hygiene? ](https://www.meritech.com/blog/does-gloving-remove-the-need-for-handwashing) It’s a common misconception that gloving removes the need for hand hygiene. Handwashing is still one of the most ... Read more - ![](https://www.meritech.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Commercial%20Vs%20FI.png?width=500&height=375&name=Commercial%20Vs%20FI.png) ### [ Commercial Hand Wash Sinks Vs CleanTech® EVO ](https://www.meritech.com/blog/commercial-hand-wash-sinks-vs-cleantech) When you think about hygiene and hand washing you probably picture water, faucets, soap, and sinks. Commercial hand ... Read more - ![](https://www.meritech.com/hs-fs/hubfs/_International%20Infection%20Prevention%20Week%20How%20to%20Prevent%20Infection%20with%20Handwashing.png?width=500&height=375&name=_International%20Infection%20Prevention%20Week%20How%20to%20Prevent%20Infection%20with%20Handwashing.png) [Hand Hygiene Resources](https://www.meritech.com/blog/tag/hand-hygiene-resources) ### [ International Infection Prevention Week: How to Prevent Infection with Handwashing ](https://www.meritech.com/blog/international-infection-prevention-week-how-to-prevent-infection-with-handwashing) October 15th to the 21st is International Infection Prevention Week! Established in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan, ... 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