ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

An increasing number of washrooms are installing no-touch dispensers for soap and paper products in a bid to optimise hygiene. But are these systems becoming the norm, or do some people still prefer manual alternatives? And are there any disadvantages to touch-free systems? We ask companies their views.

It was back in the 1980’s when Australian inventor Norman Wareham invented the touch-free electronic sensor-activated water tap. The aim was to prevent the transfer of bacteria in sensitive environments such as hospitals and food preparation areas. The taps were so successful that they were adopted worldwide, with Wareham being awarded patents in a number of countries including the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, Germany and New Zealand.

Similar technology has now been widely applied to other washroom fixtures such as toilet flushes, hand dryers and dispensers for soap and paper. Besides helping to prevent the risk of cross-contamination, no-touch units also ease the cleaner’s burden because there are fewer fingermarks to clean away.

But are such systems beginning to replace traditional dispensers? Do no-touch units have any disadvantages? And do some customers and end-users still prefer manual versions to sensor-operated ones?

The advantages of no-touch washroom systems are clear, says Andrea Dold from Hagleitner’s public relations department. ”They maximise hygiene and reduce the risk of germ transmission,” she explained. “Sensor-controlled dispensers also release soap, disinfectant, paper towels and fragrance without the need for any contact with the user. And this actively prevents cross-contamination in sensitive areas such as hospitals and public washrooms.”

Touch-free dispensers also help to encourage usage, she adds. “They are intuitive to operate and convey an image of hygiene, reliability and modernity,” said Dold. “Numerous studies and professional articles underline the benefits of no-touch systems with regard to hygiene, user-behaviour and cost efficiency.

Industry standard

“And when combined with digital networking their potential grows even further. Smart dispensers can provide real-time information about fill levels, consumption and energy status. For cleaning staff this means reduced service effort plus the ability to plan refills more precisely, increasing user satisfaction.”

Consumption monitoring makes demand-driven stock management possible, says Dold. “This not only cuts costs, it also reduces delivery trips and therefore CO2 emissions.”

Operators are increasingly switching to touch-free dispensing systems in public, high-traffic and hygiene-sensitive areas such as hospitals, schools, restaurants and airports, Dold says. “These systems are steadily evolving into the industry standard.”

She claims sensor-operated units also offer sustainability advantages. “No-touch dispensers release exactly the right amount of product, reducing consumption and refill frequency,” she said. “This lowers resource use along with environmental impact.”

However, some customers still prefer manual dispensers over touch-free alternatives, Dold admits. “This is for various reasons such as lower purchase costs and simplicity - particularly in smaller, less frequented environments,” she said.

“However, no-touch systems are experiencing a clear upward trend, particularly in settings where hygiene, user comfort and digital monitoring are paramount.”

Hagleitner’s XIBU hybrid series incorporates dispensers for a range of washroom consumables including toilet tissue, paper towels and foam soap. They come with a digital tool for dispenser and hygiene data management along with the Hagleitner360 app. All devices provide application data on consumption, fill level, energy status and service needs which is available in real time via a smartphone, laptop or PC.

No-touch dispensing offers a range of benefits and helps to enhance hygiene, efficiency and user experience, says Essity communications director Jenny Turner. “By eliminating the need to touch the dispenser these systems reduce the risk of cross-contamination, which is particularly important in high-traffic environments,” she said.

“The touch-free experience is also reassuring for users and signals a commitment to cleanliness and care. And it helps to create a cleaner, more hygienic washroom environment whether the system concerned is an automatic, sensor-activated dispenser or a manual system that gives out the product without any need for the user to touch the unit.”

Energy supply

One potential drawback of automatic systems is that they inevitably require batteries or an energy supply, she said. “No-touch systems that don’t work automatically - such as those that incorporate arm levers or foot pedals or units that offer self-presenting towels - are highly effective and offer a number of advantages,” she said. “They provide a hygienic experience without relying on power sources, making them ideal for locations where electricity access is limited or where battery maintenance could be challenging.

“Manual no-touch solutions also require minimal maintenance. And they combine hygiene with simplicity plus an intuitive operation while also offering single-sheet dispensing, and this helps to reduce consumption and waste.”

Essity’s Tork SmartOne Toilet Paper System offers touch-free dispensing without the need for power, while the Tork Matic Hand Towel System incorporates no sensors or batteries but is said to provide controlled touch-free dispensing.

Some customers continue to prefer manual dispensers to touch-free ones, says Turner. “This is particularly the case in settings where simplicity, cost-efficiency and ease of maintenance are the chief priorities,” she said. “However, in the 2025 Tork Insight Survey it emerged that 45 per cent of washroom users considered touchless technology such as automatic taps, soap dispensers and flush systems to be must-have features for comfort and hygiene while only 10 per cent of respondents said they felt no need for these systems at all.”

Not necessary

However, she adds that no-touch systems on toilet flushes and taps are not strictly necessary because people tend to wash their hands after operating them. “Nevertheless, these systems do help to contribute to a more hygienic and reassuring washroom experience,” said Turner. “They prevent the spread of germs before hand washing even begins, reinforcing a sense of safety and care. For many users these features signal a high standard of cleanliness and attention to detail which can positively influence their perception of a facility.”

Tork offers a range of touch-free solutions including sensor-operated soap and hand towel dispensers. The company also offers manual no-touch options where the user only touches the tissue they take.

Kimberly-Clark Professional’s head of sales for France Mick Girardin says no-touch washroom systems are fast becoming the norm in commercial and public spaces across Europe. “From sensor-activated taps and flushes to automatic soap and towel dispensers, these offer more than just convenience - they reflect a growing commitment to hygiene, sustainability and user experience,” he explained.

“The fact that you only touch the paper you use and there is minimal contact between the dispenser and the user means cross-contamination is reduced while the system is also easier to maintain and clean.”

Investing in touchless technology demonstrates a level of care and credibility for businesses,  Girardin adds. “It enhances brand perception, reassures users and future-proofs facilities in a world 
where hygiene expectations continue to rise,” he said.

However, touchless systems are not without their drawbacks, he adds. “While often billed as being sustainable, many of these systems rely on battery power or electricity which can offset environmental gains, particularly in high-traffic settings,” he said. “Some customers prefer manual washroom dispensers because they don’t want to use batteries.”

The Kimberly-Clark Icon electronic hand towel dispenser works via both battery and mains power. The unit is said to offer intuitive visual lighting cues and give out 150,000 hand towel dispenses on one set of batteries. It is also claimed to offer a 99.9 per cent jam-free performance.

Manual dispensers do offer some advantages over automatic ones, according to Girardin. “This is particularly the case in environments where cost-efficiency, control and maintenance simplicity are key,” he said. “They are generally more affordable to maintain because they don’t rely on the regular replacement of batteries. For settings where hygiene is still a priority but where budget and practicality are crucial - such as in schools, small businesses and on industrial sites - manual dispensers can be a smart and dependable choice.”

However, dispensers can be touch-free without the need for sensors or batteries, he adds. For example, Kimberly-Clark Professional’s Aquarius soap dispenser has an arm lever that allows users to operate it with their forearm or elbow. “This minimises hand contact while reducing the risk of cross-contamination which is particularly important in healthcare, food service and washroom settings,” says Girardin.

“It also enhances accessibility for individuals who have limited hand mobility or strength, providing a more inclusive solution. And arm levers can improve the user experience by offering smoother and more controlled dispensing which helps to reduce waste and ensure a consistent product delivery.”

Positive trend

He agrees with Turner no-touch tap and soap systems that are used before hand washing takes place are not strictly necessary. “However, the more no-touch systems you have in place in hygiene-critical sectors, the lower the risk of cross-contamination,” he said. “It is important in these environments to communicate to staff and users how the facilities protect them from contamination and provide good hygiene.”

He believes no-touch systems are increasingly replacing traditional washroom dispensers. “This is a positive trend because people have become much more aware of the importance of hand hygiene since the pandemic,” he said.

Essity’s Jenny Turner agrees that no-touch systems are on the rise. “We are seeing a clear shift towards them across various sectors from hospitality and healthcare to education and office environments,” she said. “This is a positive development and reflects a growing awareness of the need for hygiene and sustainability.”