For Washroom Services, Call Us On +448083028299
Hand Hygiene for Businesses
High standards of hand hygiene are essential for keeping staff, customers and employees safe and healthy. As much as 80% of commonly transmitted diseases spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or unclean hands, so your washroom must always have high quality handwashing provisions such as soap dispensers and hand sanitiser dispensers available.
Correct use of good quality soap and hand sanitisers can dramatically reduce the amount of bacteria and viruses present on hands, and plays a hugely important role in breaking the chain of infection. In some environments, such as hospitals, good hand hygiene is a major factor in reducing serious illness and even disease-related deaths.
As the Experts in Hygiene and Healthcare Waste Management since 1903, we offer a comprehensive range of high quality hygiene solutions that will help to safeguard your employees' and customers' hand hygiene, including hand washing, drying, sanitising and surface hygiene solutions.
This video player requires JavaScript.
What Are Professional Hand Hygiene Systems?
A professional hand hygiene system provides everything you need to keep your hands clean, hygienic and healthy. By employing a reputable washroom services provider such as Initial Washrooms Hygiene, you also ensure that the washroom experience in your premises is comfortable, professional and modern. But the benefits of a professional system go beyond the aesthetic, a quality handwashing solution also means ease of use, hassle-free supply and products and dispensers designed specifically for today's washrooms.
Typically, a hand hygiene system will include:
-
Soap and soap dispensers - The staple of the washroom. A high quality soap, whether foam or liquid, always available in a hygienic, stylish dispenser, provides the basis for keeping hands healthy. Available in both manual and no touch options. And with a range of soaps to meet the needs of your business, a good quality soap dispenser should be front and centre when it comes to thoughtful hand hygiene.
-
Modern soap dispensers - Designed to be ergonomic and easy to use, and suited to the needs of the washroom they are installed in. Heavy footfall sites such as factories and schools may need larger capacity dispensers to ensure they always have enough soap throughout the busy day, whereas single occupancy washrooms, where space is of the utmost importance, may be better suited with a smaller dispenser.
-
Hand drying solutions - Wet hands provide a breeding ground for any bacteria that may remain post-handwash, so you mustn't leave the job half done. By drying hands thoroughly after washing, hand hygiene levels increase considerably. A well-equipped washroom will always have a hand drying solution in place, whether it's paper towels, roller towels or energy-efficient electric hand dryers.
-
Hand sanitisers - Used in isolation as a last resort, hand sanitisers afford a level of protection from bacteria and viruses for otherwise unprotected hands. But when used in conjunction with soap and hand drying, hand sanitisers are the cherry on the top of effective hand hygiene. Providing that extra level of protection when leaving the washroom, hand sanitisers are proven effective at destroying bacteria and viruses on surfaces left by other washroom goers.
Our Hand Hygiene Service Process
When it comes to hand hygiene, there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. Some customers prioritise ease of service and peace of mind, whereas others prefer a more hands-on approach. Footfall, the size of the washroom, preference for different soap types, they all need to be factored in to create a hand hygiene solution that's right.
At Initial Washroom Hygiene, we will work with you from the start to understand your needs and create a washroom hygiene package that's right for you, including;
1. Fully serviced contracts
The complete package, from consultation through to installation and repeat service, is scheduled around your busy day. Let Initial Washroom Hygiene take the stress out of hand hygiene by doing everything for you via a fully serviced contract.
2. Contractual consumables
Where a regular supply of soap and sanitiser is needed, but you prefer a more hands-on approach to keeping your dispensers full, our consumable contract provides regular delivery of soaps and sanitisers for you to refill, but without the risk of running short.
Our wall-mounted dispensers will be provided and fitted by our expert fitter team at a time that suits you.
3. Outright sale
If you just want to buy our high quality soap or hand sanitiser, no problem. We can provide on a one-off or ad-hoc basis, no matter your requirements. All you need to do is install the dispenser yourself.
Whatever your need, we will always talk with you to understand what you require and match it with suitable products.
The Benefits of Proper Hand Hygiene and Care
Having a robust hand hygiene system in place in your washrooms offers several benefits, including:
- Compliance with UK hygiene standards - In the UK, it is a legal requirement for workplaces and public premises to provide adequate handwashing facilities, which include soap or another suitable cleaning agent. This is primarily governed by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
- Cost efficiency - by using a measured dosing system, you get the same amount of soap delivered every time. No waste, no mess, just hassle-free hand hygiene every single time
- Improved hygiene - An automatic, no touch soap or sanitiser dispenser removes the need to touch. Some manual dispensers inadvertently become common touchpoints and reservoirs for the very bacteria that they are trying to eliminate. A no touch dispenser means optimum hygiene and minimal contact.
- Constant supply 24/7 - You may not even notice the soap and sanitiser in the washroom until it's empty, at which point it's too late. Whether through a service contract or regular supply of consumables, having a continual supply of hand hygiene products means you and your staff or customers can help avoid the risk of washroom germs.
Our sensitive soaps are Ecolabel accredited, meaning they meet stringent guidelines for companies looking to lower their environmental impact and by using larger refills, single-use plastic consumption is dramatically reduced.
Browse Our Hand Hygiene and Care Products
Browse our Hand Drying range
Hygiene Training
Of course, providing everything to enable effective hand hygiene is only half the story. Soap and sanitisers must be used every time to be effective. This is particularly important in education facilities such as schools and nurseries, where handwashing is often neglected, and diseases such as colds and flu are common. Help to break the chain of infection in your workplace with our free educational toolkit, available to download here.
How can I improve hand hygiene compliance among staff?
Improving compliance requires accessible equipment, clear communication, and the right environment. Key steps include positioning soap dispensers and sanitiser stations at natural touchpoints such as entrances, exits, and near shared equipment; displaying hand hygiene guidance like the Initial Poster below at washing stations; and selecting dispensers that are intuitive to use.
Ensuring facilities are never out of stock is one of the most common barriers to compliance, a fully managed service from Initial removes this risk, with qualified service representatives handling installation, refills, and ongoing maintenance.
Handwashing Poster Download
Make sure your staff always follow procedure. Fill in this quick form below to receive informative, downloadable posters by email on effective handwashing technique and how to sanitise your hands properly.
Improve handwashing technique and compliance in your healthcare setting by placing these posters at your handwashing stations.
Handwashing Poster Download
Hand Hygiene Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is hand hygiene?
Hand Hygiene is the process of cleaning and disinfecting hands to remove pathogens (germs), including bacteria and viruses. In commercial and workplace environments, it forms the foundation of any infection prevention strategy, reducing the risk of illness transmission between employees, customers, and visitors. As Initial notes, unclean hands are one of the main pathways through which bacteria and germs spread, making accessible hand hygiene facilities essential for any business premises.
-
Why is hand hygiene so important in the workplace?
Research cited by Initial shows that roughly 80% of infections and diseases are transmitted by touch, and that contaminated hands can transfer pathogens to up to seven separate surfaces. For businesses, this translates directly into increased sickness absence, reduced productivity, and reputational risk, particularly in high foot-fall environments such as office, retail sites, healthcare settings, and food production facilities. Ensuring staff and visitors have access to the right hand washing, drying, and sanitising facilities is one of the most effective steps a business can take to reduce the spread of illness.
-
Are businesses legally required to provide hand washing facilities?
Yes. Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations in 1992, UK employers are legally required to provide adequate washing facilities for employees, including suitable soap and means of drying hands. In food handling environments, the Food Hygiene Regulations 2006 impose additional requirements. Failure to comply can result in enforcement action, fines, and reputational damage. A professionally managed hand care service helps businesses maintain ongoing compliance without placing the burden on the internal facilities team, and Initial can support businesses with this.
-
Is foam soap better than liquid soap for commercial environments?
Both are effective, but they suit different environments. Liquid soaps perform better in high-soil or industrial settings where heavier-duty cleansing is required. Foam soaps are a more sustainable choice for standard office or public washrooms. They use less soap per wash and reduce water consumption. Initial’s wall-mounted dispensers are compatible with both foam and liquid soap formats, so the choice can be made based on your sector, footfall, and sustainability goals.
-
What are the steps of effective hand hygiene?
Effective hand hygiene follows three essential steps: wash, dry, and sanitise. Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water, covering all surfaces including fingertips, thumbs and wrists. Hands must then be completely dried, leaving the washroom with wet hands creates a breeding ground for pathogens to re-emerge on the skin. Finally, applying hand sanitiser extends protection further, with Initial’s sanitiser range offering six hours of continued hygiene. Skipping any steps increases the number of pathogens remaining on hands and reduces chances of breaking the chain of infection.
-
What is the difference between hand soap and hand sanitiser?
Soap and water physically dislodge dirt and pathogens from the skin and rinses them away, it does not destroy them. Hand sanitisers, particularly those with over 60% alcohol content, are proven to kill bacteria and viruses on contact. Used together, wash first, then sanitise after drying, they provide the most robust hand hygiene protection available. In high-risk environments such as food production, healthcare, or any setting with vulnerable users, combining both is considered best practice. Initial’s Signature Hand and Surface sanitiser removes 99.99% of bacteria and viruses and can also be used on frequently touched surfaces for added infection control.
-
What are the benefits of soap dispensers for businesses?
Wall-mounted soap dispensers offer significant advantages over loose or bottled soap in commercial settings:
- Hygienic, controlled soap delivery with no cross-contamination from shared bars
- Reduce waste and lower cost-per-wash
- Vandal and theft resistance, suited to high-traffic or public-access environments
- Touchless options that eliminate a key cross-contamination point at the point of use
- Consistent washroom aesthetics, with options ranging from standard to premium finishes
- Managed refill and servicing options, removing the maintenance burden from internal teams
Initial offers two service models: Full service, which covers installation, equipment rental, and regular servicing; and Contractual Refills, where businesses manage their own refilling while still benefiting from equipment installation, rental, and a lifetime guarantee.
More Washroom Hygiene Solutions
Floor Mats
Explore our comprehensive range of versatile floor mats.