Have you ever gone into a bathroom where you didn’t have to touch anything? The toilet flushes on its own, the sink starts up when you get near, as does the soap dispenser, and when you’re done, the paper towel will give you a sheet of paper that is sufficient for your needs? Many love the convenience of a no-touch bathroom, and they feel like they are spared the exposure to germs that is usually one of the main concerns in a bathroom, especially a public one. There are also those that can’t stand it. Some people don’t like to deal with automated devices and others feel like they have a higher likelihood of failure.

For a business owner, there are some clear advantages. There is a saving involved since people can’t use excessive amounts of soap, water or paper by mistake. Cleaning bathrooms with automated fixtures is a lot easier as well since there are no knobs or levers to deal with. When it comes to whether or not it is healthier, there are some different research on the subject. While not touching fixtures definitely lowers exposure to germs, there is also some research that points to the complicated plumbing needed for no-touch fixtures being a breeding ground for bacteria.