What is the most effective way to remove bacteria when drying hands?

• A. Air dryer
• B. Paper towels
• C. Cloth towel
• D. Hand sanitizer

Answer: (B)

Removing bacteria after washing hands hinges on both removing moisture and physically clearing microbes from the skin. Paper towels provide absorbent, disposable material that you wipe across the hands, pulling moisture and surface bacteria away through friction, then you discard the towel so contaminants aren’t reintroduced. Air dryers can push microbes into the air or onto surfaces with their jets, which can spread contamination and may not remove as many bacteria. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and become a source of recontamination unless they’re freshly laundered and properly managed. Hand sanitizer isn’t a drying method; it disinfects but relies on clean, dry hands to work best and isn’t a substitute for drying. So using paper towels is the most effective option for removing bacteria during the drying step.