Linen towel rollers in public toilets.

Paper hand towels might be the best way to avoid contamination, but that’s why we have so much rubbish nowadays, so much that used to be washed and re-used i.e. the roller towels, were replaced by disposable alternatives.

We didn’t all keel over after drying our hands at school did we?

The little individual sachets of sauces and condiments, little foil wraps of butter and spreads, individual glass jars containing jams, honey, marmalade,(often half the contents wasted), tiny one teaspoon sachets of sugar and sweeteners in cafes, restaurants, guest houses, all come to mind.

Mountains of ‘stuff’ to get rid of.

I have digressed.

They are not hygienic because as soon as they become damp, they are a perfect medium for bacterial growth…. This is why I let washing up drain dry, or, if I do use a tea towel, it’s a clean one each time I wash up.

I don't see how they are unhygienic. Each person uses a new bit of the towel that has been rolled up inside the box. The towels are always white and freshly washed.

Surprised they are allowed since the pandemic. As an infection control nurse before retiral, I was taught paper hand towels used then disposed of was the best way of avoiding contamination. Blowy ones can blow bacteria and organisms back in your face, not necessarily your own. Towel ones absolutely no unless each person has a fresh towel. DGC age 4 and 5 are scared of the blowy ones.

They arent hygienic but they bring back lovely memories of going to the pictures in the 1970s

I prefer them not to be pulled down by the last person, as then I know which bit has been used and which hasn't. I pull the next bit down using the edge, which is usually unused anyway. If it was dirty in any way (very unusual), I would have the option of pulling it down, rewashing and drying on the bit I know hasn't been used.

JenniferEccles
I remember them at school!

You’ve just jogged my memory..soggy towels, Izal toilet paper and the aroma of pink carbolic soap !

I remember them at school!

I thought they were forbidden in schools because accidents may happen.

I would much prefer this kind of towel. The air dryers just blow stuff around and are often far too "blowy". The paper towels manage to get dropped everywhere and make a mess.

Maybe the towels need a notice on them? "Please pull down after use" or some such. Much better environmentally I would have thought as well.

Yes it was a John Lewis store Georgesgran

John Lewis in Newcastle use them too - at least last time I was in a couple of months ago.

Presumably the previous customer had no experience of how they work. I hope that's the reason for not pulling the towel down.

Used properly, they should be sufficiently hygienic and, of course, any hands being dried ought to be clean...