For years, a half-empty bottle of dish soap sat next to our faucet. The label half-peeled, the cap sticky, and always just a bit too bright green for the rest of the kitchen. At one point, we had three: hand soap, dish soap, and a refill we couldn't find. A refillable soap dispenser put an end to that all at once. One neat pump on the counter, refilled from a large bottle, done. Below, you can read why we switched, what kind of soap you can put in it, and what to look for if you're choosing one yourself.
Why switch to a refillable soap dispenser?
It usually doesn't start with sustainability, but with annoyance. Plastic bottles leak, leave a ring, and rarely match the rest of your kitchen or bathroom. And every empty bottle is another bottle for the trash.
A refillable dispenser turns that around. You buy soap in a large container or a value refill, and replenish it when the pump is empty. This saves plastic in the long run, and often money too: per milliliter, a bulk package is cheaper than individual pump bottles. We especially noticed the difference on the counter. It looks calmer with one dispenser than with three different bottles.
To be honest: at first, it takes some getting used to storing that large refill somewhere. Under the sink is a great place for it.
What kind of soap can you put in it?
Almost all liquid soap works. Hand soap and dish soap are the classics, but body lotion, liquid all-purpose cleaner, or shampoo also work well.
Be aware of one thing: the thicker the soap, the harder the pump has to work. Syrupy hand soap or concentrated dish soap can make the pump falter or spill. The solution is simple — mix a splash of water through it. A ratio of roughly three parts soap to one part water works well for most pumps, and your soap will last even longer.
Do you have both hand soap and dish soap by the sink in the kitchen? Then a set of two is handy, so you don't have to wonder which pump to press every time you do dishes. Our glass soap dispenser set of two therefore has "HANDS" and "DISHES" labels — a small detail, but you'll never grab the wrong one again.
Choosing a soap dispenser for the kitchen: what to look for?
Not every dispenser fits every spot. A few things we pay attention to:
- Material. Glass and bamboo look warm and go well with a natural kitchen; aluminum is light and impact-resistant. A bamboo soap dispenser set fits nicely if you already have some wood in your home.
- The pump. A pump that runs smoothly and doesn't drip saves you that eternal puddle under the spout. Wooden and aluminum pumps have been working neatly for us for a long time.
- Size. A large pump needs to be refilled less often, but takes up more space next to the faucet. Choose based on the space you have.
- Set or loose. One pump for the washbasin, two for the kitchen, four if you want to tackle the kitchen and bathroom at once.
In the kitchen, we are fans of the glass set: you can see how much is left, and matte black with a wooden pump looks good with almost any counter. In the bathroom, we tend to choose bamboo, purely because it feels warmer there.
Wall-mounted or on the counter?
Do you have little space next to the faucet, or do you want to keep the sink completely clear? Then a wall-mounted model is worth considering. The black wall-mounted soap dispenser hangs on the wall and keeps your counter or washbasin top clear.
Are you renting, or don't you want to drill holes in the tiles? Then take a look at our adhesive hooks and drill-free mounting solutions — with strong adhesive strips, you can hang a lot without a drill. The hanging model itself is secured with the included fasteners; on smooth tiles, an adhesive solution is often sufficient for the weight of a filled pump.
Refilling and cleaning
Refilling is a matter of unscrewing the pump and pouring the contents of the large bottle into it. Do it over the sink to keep things clean.
Once every few months, the pump needs a clean. Pump some warm water through until it runs clear — this prevents dried soap from clogging the spout. With hard water, you sometimes see white deposits on the outside; wiping it with a cloth and some vinegar helps.
The honest disadvantage of glass: it's slightly more fragile than plastic. A glass pump can slip on a wet, smooth counter edge. Place it in a fixed spot or on a tray, and you won't have that problem.
Want to look around? Here are all our refillable soap dispensers for kitchen and bathroom — glass, bamboo, and wall-mounted models. 🧼
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of soap goes into a refillable soap dispenser?
Almost all liquid soap: hand soap, dish soap, body lotion, shampoo, or all-purpose cleaner. If the soap is very thick, mix a splash of water through it (about three parts soap to one part water). This makes the pump run smoother and reduces spills.
Is a refillable soap dispenser really more sustainable?
You no longer throw away individual pump bottles and refill from a large container, so less plastic goes to waste. Many people also save money, as soap per liter is cheaper than individual bottles. It's not completely plastic-free, but it makes a significant difference.
Glass, bamboo, or aluminum — which do I choose?
Glass shows how much is left and looks sleek in the kitchen. Bamboo feels warm and suits a natural bathroom. Aluminum is light and impact-resistant, handy for a wall-mounted model. It's mainly a matter of taste and location.
Can a soap dispenser be wall-mounted without drilling?
A wall-mounted model is usually hung with the included fasteners. If you don't want to drill, a strong adhesive strip on smooth tiles often works well for the weight of a filled pump. Check out our adhesive hooks for drill-free options.
Why does my pump drip?
Usually, the soap is too thick, or the spout is slightly clogged by dried soap. Dilute the soap slightly and occasionally pump warm water through the spout. This almost always stops the dripping.
A refillable soap dispenser is one of those small changes you notice every day: less plastic, a tidier counter, and no more sticky bottles. Start with the place where it bothers you most — for us, that was the sink — and gradually extend it to the bathroom. Want to compare which one fits your kitchen or bathroom? View the entire soap dispenser collection here, or browse our bamboo products for a consistent sustainable style throughout your home.
