Choosing the Right Washroom Dispensers for Your Business
    Back to Blog
    Tips & Best Practices

    Choosing the Right Washroom Dispensers for Your Business

    A practical guide to selecting soap, paper, and sanitiser dispensers that balance quality, cost, and user experience.

    8 March 20246 min readBy Doves Hygiene Team

    Why Dispenser Choice Matters


    Washroom dispensers might seem like a minor decision, but the wrong choice leads to:

  1. User frustration (dispensers that don't work well)
  2. Higher ongoing costs (inefficient products)
  3. Maintenance headaches (frequent breakdowns or refills)
  4. Poor hygiene (inadequate product delivery)

  5. The right dispensers enhance user experience while optimising your ongoing costs.


    Soap Dispensers


    Types Available


    Manual Pump Dispensers

  6. Lowest upfront cost
  7. Require pressing, touching surface
  8. Simple to refill
  9. Limited portion control

  10. Sensor-Operated Dispensers

  11. Touchless operation (hygiene benefit)
  12. Precise portion control
  13. Higher upfront cost
  14. Battery or power requirements

  15. Foam vs Liquid

  16. Foam uses less product per use
  17. Liquid may feel more thorough to users
  18. Both effective when formulated properly

  19. Selection Considerations


    User Experience: Sensor dispensers are strongly preferred by users and reduce cross-contamination.


    Product Cost: Foam soap can reduce costs by 30-50% compared to liquid while maintaining effectiveness.


    Maintenance: Consider ease of refilling and battery requirements.


    Durability: Commercial settings need robust construction.


    Aesthetics: Dispensers should match your environment's standards.


    Our Recommendation


    For most commercial environments, sensor-operated foam dispensers provide the best balance of hygiene, cost, and user experience. The higher initial cost is recovered through product savings.


    Paper Towel Dispensers


    Types Available


    Folded Paper Dispensers

  20. C-fold or interleaved paper
  21. Users take individual sheets
  22. Good portion control
  23. Refilling required more frequently

  24. Roll Towel Dispensers

  25. Manual (tear-off) or automatic
  26. Higher capacity
  27. Automatic versions control portion size
  28. Manual versions risk excessive use

  29. Electric Hand Dryers

  30. No consumable costs
  31. Higher upfront investment
  32. Some users dislike them
  33. Hygiene debates (though modern dryers are effective)

  34. Selection Considerations


    Hygiene: Paper towels are most effective at removing bacteria through friction. Modern high-velocity dryers are acceptably hygienic.


    User Preference: Many users prefer paper towels. Post-pandemic, this preference has strengthened.


    Running Costs: Electric dryers have lower operating costs but higher capital cost.


    Waste: Paper creates waste (though recyclable); dryers use energy.


    Usage Levels: High-traffic areas may need high-capacity solutions.


    Our Recommendation


    For most commercial washrooms, we recommend controlled-portion paper towel dispensers (either interleaved or automatic roll). They balance user preference, hygiene, and cost control.


    Toilet Tissue Dispensers


    Types Available


    Standard Roll Holders

  35. Familiar to users
  36. Lower capacity
  37. No portion control
  38. Low cost

  39. Jumbo Roll Dispensers

  40. Higher capacity (less refilling)
  41. Cost-effective paper
  42. Less aesthetic appeal
  43. Common in commercial settings

  44. Twin/Triple Roll Systems

  45. Backup rolls prevent running out
  46. Moderate aesthetics
  47. Good for busy facilities

  48. Selection Considerations


    Capacity: Choose based on usage levels. Running out causes complaints.


    Paper Quality: Higher quality paper means less used per visit.


    Aesthetics: Executive washrooms may need more attractive systems.


    Security: Some dispensers include locks to prevent theft.


    Our Recommendation


    Twin-roll systems with moderate-capacity rolls balance capacity, aesthetics, and user experience for most commercial environments.


    Hand Sanitiser Dispensers


    Types Available


    Wall-Mounted Units

  49. Fixed location
  50. Varying capacities
  51. Manual or sensor-operated

  52. Freestanding Stations

  53. Flexible placement
  54. High visibility
  55. May need securing

  56. Countertop Units

  57. Suitable for desks, reception areas
  58. Small capacity
  59. Informal settings

  60. Selection Considerations


    Visibility: Dispensers should be obvious and accessible.


    Robustness: Freestanding units need stability.


    Capacity: High-traffic locations need larger capacity or frequent refills.


    Product Type: Gel vs liquid vs foam—each has user preference variations.


    Our Recommendation


    A combination of strategically placed wall-mounted units at entrances and high-traffic points, supplemented by freestanding stations where needed.


    Working with Doves


    We supply and service a range of dispenser systems matched to your environment:

  61. Free assessment of your needs
  62. Equipment provided as part of service contracts
  63. Ongoing maintenance and restocking
  64. Upgrades as better options become available

  65. Contact us on 01480 210999 to discuss the best solutions for your facilities.


    Related Topics:

    dispensers
    washroom equipment
    product selection
    facilities

    Need Professional Hygiene Services?

    Contact Doves Hygiene Services for a free assessment of your facilities

    Call 01480 210999

    Related Articles

    Practical tips and best practices for keeping office washrooms clean, hygienic, and pleasant for employees and visitors.

    Read More

    Evidence-based strategies for improving hand hygiene at work, reducing the spread of illness and cutting sick days.

    Read More

    How to adapt your hygiene practices for seasonal challenges, from winter bugs to summer heatwaves.

    Read More