Selecting the correct hand fold towels is about more than preference – it’s about balancing hygiene, cost-efficiency and user experience to your washroom’s requirements and is crucial to washroom performance.

While choosing the paper towels l may seem simple, the choice of fold type can significantly impact washroom performance, waste reduction and overall cost – meaning understanding the differences is key to making the right purchasing decisions

Two of the most common questions we hear are ‘Which fold towels type is best?’ and ‘Does it really make a difference?”.

The answer is yes – and here’s why:

Contents

What does fold type matter?

Available as C, V, Z and M fold towels, each towel has a different dispensing style.

The fold type determines how towels are stacked and dispensed, which in turn affects:

Hygiene: How many paper towels users touch before selecting one.

Waste: Whether paper towels dispense one at a time or in multiples.

Efficiency: How quickly towel dispensers empty and require refilling.

Cost: Not just purchase price, but overall usage and disposal costs.

What Are C-Fold Hand Towels?

C-fold hand towels – -for example, the Andarta 2Ply White C/Fold Hand Towel (02-011) – are a type of paper towel folded in a “C” shape, where each towel is stacked on top of the next rather than interlocked. This means users can take multiple sheets at once, which can lead to higher usage compared to interfold hand towels.

They are commonly used in lower-traffic washrooms and are often more cost-effective upfront. However, because they don’t dispense one at a time, they can result in more waste in busy environments.

Pros:

  • Simple and widely available

  • Compatible with most dispensers

  • Best suited for low-traffic area where usage is less critical

Cons:

  • Increased waste and mess potential

  • Smaller drying surface means higher consumption

V-Fold Hand Towels

V-fold hand towels, such as the Andarta 1Ply Green Hand Towel V Fold (02-020) (also known as interfold hand towels) are folded in half and interlocked inside the dispenser. When one towel is removed out, the next is presented open and ready for use – improving hygiene (users only touch the hand towel they need) and typically reducing waste (towels are dispensed with a larger surface area).

Pros:

  • One-a-time dispensing

  • Self-presenting for better hygiene

  • Reduces cross-contamination

  • Ideal for offices, retail and hospitality

Cons:

  • Slightly smaller drying area than Z or M fold hand towels

Z-Fold Hand Towels

Z-Fold hand towels, for example the Andarta 2Ply White Hand Towel Z Fold (02-043), feature three panels, creating a zigzag (or ‘Z’) shape. This design offers a larger surface area, with the same self-presenting benefits a V fold hand towels – making them highly efficient.

Pros:

  • One-a-time dispensing

  • Self-presenting for better hygiene

  • Reduces cross-contamination

  • One-a-time dispensing

  • Self-presenting for better hygiene

  • Reduces cross-contamination

M-Fold (or W-Fold) Hand Towels

M-fold towels provide the largest drying area of all fold types thanks to their four panel design. The towels are interleaved and self-presenting, making them both highly absorbent and easy to access.

Pros:

  • Up to 25% more drying area

  • Can significantly reduce usage and waste

Cons:

  • Higher initial cost, but more cost-effective over time.

Explore our full range of hand towels online or contact Arrow County Supplies for advice on the best hand towel for your environment.