C-fold vs. Z-fold paper hand towels: what’s the difference?
Whether you’re looking to stock office space restrooms or restaurant kitchens, paper hand towels are crucial in maintaining hygiene standards at your facility. And while it might seem like a straightforward enough product, you can find different kinds each designed with specific strengths in mind.
C-fold and Z-fold are two of the most commonly used folded paper hand towels in commercial settings. [1] While both can be good options, there may be one that is a better choice for your establishment. So, we'll break down the distinction between these fold types, highlight their unique features, and help you choose the most suitable one for your business needs.
But first, let’s explore what makes hand drying so crucial in your day-to-day operations.
Why is hand drying important for your business?
Wet skin spreads bacteria up to 1,000 times more easily than dry. [2] This means that when your customers and employees don’t dry their hands completely after washing, they may unknowingly spread germs around your facility. This not only puts everyone’s health at risk, but can also reduce productivity due to illness-related absences and even affect your business’s reputation. Simply put, hand drying is a non-negotiable part of maintaining proper hand hygiene. That's where the right paper hand towel comes in.
However, not all businesses have the same demands — what works best in a fast-paced airport restroom may not be suitable for the back-of-house area of a small café. Making an informed decision when choosing these products helps ensure your facility meets operational efficiency and hygiene standards, contributing to a better overall experience for your visitors and employees.
What are C-fold paper hand towels?
This kind of paper hand towel is folded twice into a shape that resembles the letter ‘C’ when viewed from the side, enabling each sheet to lie flat and avoid interlocking with the next one. This means that when a user pulls a sheet out of the dispenser, only that one comes out — they have to reach in again for the next one.
What are Z-fold paper hand towels?
Z-folded paper hand towels, also known as multifold paper hand towels, fold in a zigzag pattern, resembling the letter 'Z' when you view them from the side. Each sheet is folded so that part of it overlaps with the next. When a user pulls a towel out of the dispenser, the next one pops out slightly, making it easier to grab. In other words, this design acts in a chain reaction: one sheet triggers the next.
Key differences between C-fold and Z-fold paper hand towels
Understanding the distinction between C-fold and Z-fold paper hand towels is helpful when selecting the right option for your facility. From how they're stored and dispensed to their usability and cost-effectiveness, these fold types offer unique traits that can impact your business’s hygiene, convenience, and overall efficiency. So, let's dive into what sets these two popular varieties apart.
Dispenser compatibility
C-fold fits most standard paper hand towel dispensers
C-folds stack flat, one on top of another, easily fitting into most standard countertops and paper hand towel dispensers.
Z-fold works best with one-at-a-time dispensers
Z-folds can fit into standard dispensers but perform best with a compatible multifold hand towel dispenser that supports single-sheet release. This way, when users pull one towel, the dispenser automatically presents the next, helping ensure they only take the necessary amount of product.
Ease of use
C-fold requires unfolding
Due to each hand towel being individually folded, users have to unfold each sheet to create a larger, more generous surface to dry their hands with.
Z-fold hand towels are dispensed ready for use
Z-folded sheets are released unfolded. This setup allows your employees and visitors to grab each paper hand towel ready to use, without the need to unravel it manually.
Usage speed and efficiency
Because multifold paper hand towels are ready to use, completing the hand drying process is quicker compared to C-fold. This also means people don’t have to queue in the restrooms waiting to dry their hands.
Value for money
C-fold paper hand towels are generally more affordable, since the initial unit price tends to be lower. This can make them a necessary choice for businesses pressed to reduce costs in the short-term. [3]
Hygiene
With C-fold towels, each sheet lies flat and must be pulled out individually, meaning users often touch the dispenser or even multiple towels. In contrast, Z-fold towels overlap, so the next sheet partially dispenses automatically — this allows users to touch only the towel they take, making them more hygienic.
Space and storage
C-folds can be more effective for smaller spaces
Because C-fold towels aren’t interlocked, they can take up more storage space overall. However, their flat design makes them compatible with a wide range of compact dispensers, which is useful in smaller bathrooms or kitchens where space is limited. [4]
Z-fold holds more paper towels in less space
Thanks to their interlocking design, Z-fold towels can be more space-efficient. When you pair them with a compatible multifold paper hand towel dispenser, they offer a neat, compact solution for all kinds of facilities. [4]
Which is the right paper hand towel type for your business?
Making this choice comes down to your business's needs and environment. Here's a quick guide with some considerations to help you decide which fold type is the right fit:
Traffic levels
Z-fold paper hand towels are the ideal solution in low to medium traffic areas — their single-sheet dispensing helps reduce waste while ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for every user.
For high-traffic areas like busy kitchens and manufacturing facilities, however, high-capacity solutions like Tork PeakServe® Continuous™ Hand Towel System are better suited. This innovation offers you fast, reliable dispensing — reducing maintenance time and boosting your cost efficiency.
Sustainability
Minimizing waste and reducing environmental impact helps businesses like yours operate more efficiently and responsibly over time. Z-fold paper hand towels are a great sustainable decision because of their single-sheet dispensing, which naturally guides people to take only what they need, preventing overuse.
Budget
Waste reduction can also help your budget. While C-fold paper hand towels often have a lower upfront unit cost, Z-fold may offer better cost efficiency over time due to their single-sheet dispensing, which means fewer refills.
For more tips on saving money without compromising on quality or hygiene, check out our guide to budget-friendly bathrooms.
When it comes to choosing hygiene products for your business, there are a lot of aspects to consider, and sometimes that can be overwhelming. But try to take it one step at a time. Understanding the different types of paper hand towels out there already puts you on the path towards making an informed decision. Keep in mind that while both types of hand towels have their benefits, Z-fold sheets are a better fit for ease and speed of use, as well as hygiene and sustainability.
Whichever type you go for, just remember that encouraging and enabling your guests and employees to dry their hands thoroughly is the top priority. After all, your business success could depend on it.
To make the most of your paper hand towels and promote proper hand hygiene, it’s essential to refill dispensers when needed. Discover how Tork Vision Cleaning offers a data-driven solution to keep your units stocked and ready at all times. Additionally, it’s important to keep your dispensers in good condition, so why not check out our guide on how to open and maintain a paper hand towel dispenser?
References:
[1] https://www.hunker.com/13419951/the-difference-between-multifold-c-fold-paper-towels/
[3] https://ideasask.com/c-fold-vs-multifold-paper-towels/
[4] https://droppe.com/blog/article/z-fold-vs-c-fold-vs-multi-fold-choosing-the-right-paper-towel-type/