Automatic Soap Dispenser, Foam Soap Dispensers, Refills & More

Washing your hands is the most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of germs and illness. This is always stressed in medical facilities, with healthcare providers being required to wash their hands before and after every patient, in addition to the new pair of disposable medical gloves they are required to wear. Therefore, the popularity of refillable soap dispensers in medical facilities comes as no surprise. However, there are many benefits for private end-users, as well. You may have gotten into the habit of picking up a small bottle of soap while you are out shopping, go through it in a month or so, and then find yourself replacing it yet again. Lather rinse repeat (pun intended). Read on to learn how changing up the way you wash your hands could benefit you.

Automatic & Refill Foam Soap Dispenser Comparisons

Using a refillable hand soap dispenser is always better than using single-use soap bottles. Below, we will discuss the reasons for this, and also compare these benefits to the increased benefits of a refillable foaming soap dispenser, which has the added benefit of providing foam soap instead of liquid soap. And for many reasons, foam soap is considered a better option than liquid soap. We will also discuss touchless soap dispensers, which provide an added level of protection for providers and private users alike.

Keep in mind that the question of whether or not you prefer foam soap is an important question to consider before purchasing an automatic soap dispenser, and here's why: foam soap is only possible when using a dispenser that is specifically labeled as a foam soap dispenser. Indeed, foam soap is simply liquid soap with air injected into it via the dispenser. So when people wonder whether there is a benefit to using foam soaps over liquid soaps or vice versa,  their real question is which type of dispenser they should get. And the answer is that they should definitely consider a foaming soap dispenser, as we will see below.

1. Reduced Water Consumption: Automatic Soap Dispensers + Foam Soap Dispensers

Switching to automatic soap dispensers of any kind enhances your efforts in going green by reducing the amount of plastic waste that comes from single-use soap bottles. 

But when you choose to use a foam soap and soap dispenser instead of liquid soaps and dispensers, you can benefit the environment even more by reserving water. That's because, with foam soap, the lathering step is already done for you so you do not have to run the water longer to lather up. In fact, according to an article published by CleanSolution, “studies show that foam soap users use 10% less water to rinse off... for every 1 million washes, 14,800 more gallons of water can be saved.” 

2. Reduced Soap Consumption: Touchless Soap Dispensers + Foam Soap

Touchless soap dispensers have your hygiene (more details on this below) and water use needs covered, and they will help with reducing the amount of soap you use as well. When people self-dispense by pouring or pumping from a single-use bottle, they tend to overestimate the amount of soap they will need. By contrast, liquid soap dispensers with sensors dispense the perfect amount of soap per wash, an excellent way to minimize your soap consumption.

Foam soap may be a little pricier at the time of purchase; however, since you get more dispenses compared to liquid soap, you end up saving money over time. That's because, when using it, you end up with less soap on your hands than you would typically from a pump of straight liquid soap, but it spreads so easily that you get the impression you are using a lot more than you really are.

Furthermore, when liquid soap is used without lathering up, 

3. Increased Safety: Touchless Soap Dispensers + Sealed Refill Cartridges

Taking second place for the most common source of infection is the transmission of viruses and bacteria through the hands. Hand soap dispensers, among other surfaces in the bathroom, can be a petri dish for disease-causing germs and bacteria.  

Touchless soap dispensers, in contrast to conventional soap dispensers, prevent direct contact and significantly reduce the risk of cross-contamination.  

Hygiene Risks Associated with No Contact Soap Dispensers (and How to Avoid Them) 

As we’ve covered, hand washing is of utmost importance to reign in the spread of germs. However, there are instances in which washing your hands can leave them covered in more bacteria than they previously were.  

Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona, found this to be true in several of her studies on the effects of using hand soap from contaminated refillable dispensers. The dispensers she refers to are commonly referred to as bulk soap dispensers which are open-system products that are refilled from bulk-sized soap bottles, instead of hand soap dispenser refills such as those sold here.

Dr. Gerba goes on to say, “Certain types of bacteria will grow well in refillable type dispensers. From what we’ve seen in several studies, 20 to 25 percent [of bulk dispensers] will have large numbers of bacteria at one time or another. The bacteria from the ‘bulk’ or the soap dispenser will remain on the users’ hands even after using the soap.”  

Included in these contaminants are fecal bacteria, which are incredibly tolerant to soap and can lead to skin and eye infections. “You get more fecal bacteria on your hands than if you stuck your hands in the toilet,” says Dr. Gerba. But don’t panic, she offers us a solution as well, recommending switching from an open-system soap dispenser to a sealed-cartridge soap system. 

Sealed systems are more hygienic and less high maintenance when it comes to keeping it clean, therefore keeping you clean. The soap dispenser refill comes prepackaged in a sealed cartridge, not allowing contaminants to enter the new batch of soap or the dispenser. 

How to Install a Wall-Mounted Bathroom Soap Dispenser 

Now let’s get to the fun stuff. Installing your new soap dispenser. Once your dispenser has arrived (and it will arrive sooner than you think, if you’ve ordered it with us!), you need to install it and get to washing those hands of yours. Follow the directions below (as applicable to your soap dispenser of choice).  

Step 1 - Location, Location, Location 

It is important that before you buy your automatic soap dispenser you figure out where you want to position it, so you ensure you have enough room to safely install it. You’ll want to take into consideration who will be using it (i.e., children, or people with mobility issues) and be sure it can be easily reached. You will also want to make sure it is placed somewhere it won’t negatively affect your ability to refill the dispenser as well.  

Step 2 - Marking the Position and Drilling 

Now that you have decided where it will go, make sure to mark its hanging position on the wall. There is a back panel to the machine that you will need to take off (follow the manufacturer's instructions). If you have a level, use that to make sure the dispenser is set straight and press it to the wall. While in position, use a pencil to make marks at the points where the screws will attach the fixture. You are now ready to start drilling. Be sure to have the correct drill bit for the screws included. If you are drilling into the tile, use masking tape to prevent cracking the tile.

Step 3 - Attach Backing 

Now take the back of the soap dispenser to the wall and insert the screws to hold it in place with a screwdriver or drill. Be sure to use the prefabricated holes on the back of the dispenser and see to it that each screw is fastened tightly and somewhat protrudes from the wall so you can slide the dispenser into place.

Step 4 - Assemble Dispenser 

Now all you must do is reattach the rest of the unit by sliding onto the protruding screws (again, following the manufacturer’s instructions). And voila, you are ready to take your hand washing to the next level.

NOTE: Be sure to keep yourself healthy by keeping your dispenser clean and you will have made an excellent long-term investment - not only for your wallet but for your hygiene, too!

Automatic soap dispensers aren’t just practical, they can be stylish too. They can offer an elevated design to your kitchen or bathroom, so have fun picking them out for your home or establishment. Most items ship within one day, so place your order now! It's easy to get free shipping, too; simply order a dispenser together with your first refill to automatically qualify!