{"id":4498,"date":"2019-09-24T13:03:47","date_gmt":"2019-09-24T20:03:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hankybook.com\/?p=4498"},"modified":"2021-02-06T15:11:23","modified_gmt":"2021-02-06T23:11:23","slug":"handkerchief-versus-tissue-hygiene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hankybook.com\/handkerchief-versus-tissue-hygiene\/","title":{"rendered":"Is the Handkerchief More Hygienic than Tissues?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Historically<\/strong>, the handkerchief (\u201chanky\u201d)<\/a> was the charming companion for anyone that urgently needed to wrangle a sneeze or blow a nose. By the mid-20th-century, disposable tissue paper had become a popular alternative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initially created to remove cold cream from women\u2019s faces, the broader application became clear when men started using their wives\u2019 tissues to blow their noses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tom<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sorry, ladies. Today even hanky fans have to admit that the tissue has become the sneeze saver of choice for the masses. For many, the handkerchief is simply old-fashioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Old<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Are handkerchiefs sanitary?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Aside from being viewed as old-fashioned, the other big knock on the hanky is that it is unhygienic. At least when compared to a disposable tissue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But is the tissue actually more hygienic than the handkerchief? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes<\/strong>, and no<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re confused, don\u2019t worry, we\u2019re going to break it down. Let\u2019s look at the most common examples when people think of hygiene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tissue
The battle is on<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The tissue is considered more hygienic because someone can blow their nose, contain the potentially germy parts inside the tissue and then throw it away. If they also wash their hands afterwards, then their risk of spreading germs to someone else is very remote. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then there\u2019s the hanky. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People imagine reusing wet areas, touching wet parts with their hands, and then tossing it into their pocket or bag where the germs can easily spread to other items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Gael
Yuck!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s gross, right? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the debate were just those two examples pitted against each other, the winner would easily be the tissue. But is that a fair comparison? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We think not, and here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to dispose of tissues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting rid of tissues immediately is a nice thought but how often does that actually happen? People are busy. <\/strong>And trash cans are not always available.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A more common example would be someone typing away at the keyboard; so enthralled with their work that they don\u2019t want to get up to dispose of their tissues. So the tissue gets wadded up and put on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Woman<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not hard to think of other real-world examples: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Someone is driving, or walking outside, or cycling, or taking an elevator. In many cases, a used tissue is going to end up in someone\u2019s bag or pocket. Oh, and if you think hand cleaning is common in these instances, think again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now let\u2019s return to the handkerchief. This time let\u2019s imagine a hanky user that carries more than one at a time. Not only that but they fold it after use, presenting a new dry area each time. The hanky is also folded inwards before going into their pocket, so the germs remain trapped inside. When one hanky is used up, they pull out another one. And when they get home the used hankies are added to the next wash. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After that they are completely clean and hygienic once again. Just like a towel, or clothing, or underwear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, if we compare those two examples instead, which use case sounds more hygienic to you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve been asking the wrong question<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It becomes clear that when talking about hygiene, it\u2019s not so much the tool as it is how we use it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you use tissues or a hanky properly, you\u2019re going to be fine. Use them incorrectly, and it\u2019s going to get a bit gross and potentially unhygienic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The question is not \u201cwhich product is more hygienic?\u201d it is more like, <\/strong>\u201cwhat habits<\/strong> are more hygienic?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So the hanky\u2019s unhygienic reputation is definitely overstated. But that doesn\u2019t mean there isn\u2019t room for improvement. The hanky has had a good run, but maybe it was time for an upgrade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An evolution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A page-turn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A HankyBook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"HankyBook
It\u2019s a book. It\u2019s a hanky. It\u2019s a HankyBook. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The HankyBook is exactly what it sounds like. A hanky in the form of a book with a soft outer cover and individual sewn \u201cpages\u201d<\/strong> made of ultra-soft, organic cotton. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The HankyBook is more versatile and eye-catching than a normal hanky, making it handy for everything from sunglass cleaning to wiping up spilt drinks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also much friendlier on the environment, especially compared to tissues<\/a>. But today we\u2019re talking about hygiene, and that\u2019s where the HandyBook really comes into its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"HankyBook
HankyBook in action<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The multiple pages increase the dry real-estate for nose-blowing while turning the page gives you a new dry surface to use. You never have to worry about touching germs because you only hold the outside cover, not the hanky pages inside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when the HankyBook is closed and slipped into your back pocket, the germs are completely locked in. Unable to spread to other surfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"HankyBook
HankyBook convenience<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Also, when blowing your nose, the thickness of the HankyBook prevents germs from spreading \u2013 something that happens quite often with a thin tissue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final verdict on germ control<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to how to deal with your germs, the most important thing is not whether you use a hanky or tissues.  It\u2019s all about using good, hygienic habits <\/strong>to minimize the spread of germs.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve never tried a hanky before, give it a chance. I bet you\u2019ll be surprised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or better yet, if you really want to embrace cleanliness, try the versatile HankyBook. There is no better companion for sneezing fits and running noses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Actually, there\u2019s no better companion, period, as these 23 uses for the HankyBook<\/a> clearly attest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Go ahead and try out a HankyBook to see for yourself. Browse the shop<\/a> and use the special code HBSHOP for 10% off<\/strong> your order. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n