The last grimy, slippery bar of restroom soap may have disappeared from the American gas station. Even small independent service stations, perhaps in an attempt to keep soap scum build up on the edges of their sinks to a minimum, seem to have adopted soap dispensers for their customers’ hand washing use.
But there’s another reason for the widespread proliferation of soap dispensers in public establishments; they are very helpful in stopping the spread of germs. Restaurants, in particular, are sensitive to problems resulting from poor employee hygiene, and soap dispensers eliminate the possible contamination which could have, in the past, resulted from sharing a single bar of soap.
And homeowners, especially the parents of young children, who have for a long time worried over cleanliness, are now getting on the soap dispenser bandwagon in a big way.
Whether you’re considering a soap dispenser as an aid to hygiene, or just because you think bar soap is fine in little decorative gift baskets, but can’t stand what happens to it when it gets used, there are some things you should know before you decide on a soap dispenser and toss those bars out for good.
If you have a sleek, contemporary bathroom, you might consider a hands-free soap dispenser. Found in many upscale restaurants, these dispensers have a metallic brass, nickel, or chrome finish, and will release a pre-set amount of soap in response to a sensor signal.
Powered by batteries, the dispensers react to the motion of your hands; some of them even include warning lights to indicate low soap levels. And they are easily refilled.
If you, however, do not want to be stuck with a built-in soap dispenser, think about a wall-mounted model. Attaching to the wall with screws or double-sided adhesive tape, they are easily installed and removed, and some of them will allow you to choose the amount of soap they release at one time. Several manufacturers offer them in a variety of colors and finishes.
And of course, the most popular, and least expensive, home soap dispensers are the decorative pump bottles which stay on the counter next to the sink. They come in an infinite range of colors, designs, and materials; clear glass pump dispensers can contain colored soap. A matching soap dispenser is usually included with any coordinated group of bath accessories.
All the above dispensers are designed for liquid soap, but you can also opt for a foam soap dispenser. These units release a “dry” foam which will quickly remove bacteria and dirt when the user’s hands are rubbed together. And they eliminate the little soap puddles which can accumulate under the liquid soap dispensers.
The foam is actually soap that has been diluted with water, and has air mixed with it as it is released from the pump. Because it is foam, the dispenser pump is not as likely to clog a liquid soap pump.
Hygienic, attractive, convenient, and mess-free, soap dispensers not only dispense soap; they dispense with bar soap’s mess!
