Types of Soap Dispensers: How to Choose One for Your Space

Soap dispensers, branches, and a serving tray lying on a neutral tile floor.

As hoteliers, homeowners, and interior designers will attest, even the smallest details can transform a space. Among these details, soap dispensers often go unnoticed, yet they easily enhance the functionality and aesthetic appeal in any bathroom or kitchen.

At The Polished Jar, we believe functional items should also be beautiful. We specialize in crafting various types of soap dispensers that blend seamlessly with your décor while offering the practicality you demand. This guide will walk you through the different types of soap dispensers, explaining how they work, their best use cases, and what to consider in their design. Whether you're outfitting a contemporary kitchen, a classic bathroom, or a chic hotel suite, there's a soap dispenser to enhance your space.

Close-up of a foam soap dispenser and a hand holding foam soap.

Soap dispensers play a crucial role in both the functionality and style of a space. Let's explore the various soap dispensers available, each offering its own set of advantages and design features to suit your unique needs.


Foaming Soap Dispensers

Foaming soap dispensers are a popular choice for those who prefer a rich, lathering soap experience. These dispensers transform liquid soap into foam, providing an economical and eco-friendly option that is gentle on the skin.

How Do Soap Pumps Work in Foaming Dispensers?

Foaming dispensers mix liquid soap with air to create a foam consistency. This is achieved through a special pump mechanism that aerates the soap as it's dispensed, offering a luxurious feel while using less soap per wash.

Primary Use Cases

Foaming soap is perfect for families looking to enhance their handwashing routine with a soft, foamy lather. Other venues that use foaming soap include: 

  • Home & Family: Elevate your daily routine and impress guests. Custom dispensers offer a clean, sophisticated look on any countertop. This guest-friendly experience is also wonderfully practical.

  • Business Environments: Ideal for offices and public restrooms aiming to reduce soap usage and costs.

  • Hospitality Sector: Favored in hotels and spas for its luxurious and efficient soap dispensing.

Manual Soap Dispensers

Manual soap dispensers are a timeless choice that combines ease of use with elegant design. These dispensers function through a simple pump mechanism, allowing you to dispense just the right amount of soap with a gentle press. Their straightforward operation makes them a versatile option, perfectly suited for various environments.

How They Work: Using a pump mechanism that creates a vacuum seal, manual soap dispensers draw liquid soap up from the reservoir and dispense it through the nozzle. This simple yet effective system ensures consistent soap flow, making it a dependable option for everyday use.

Primary Use Cases

Naturally, manual soap dispensers are ideal for households in bathrooms and kitchens, where they add a touch of elegance to countertops while ensuring hygiene. Here are other settings where these dispensers rule:

  • Business Environments: Perfect for offices and retail spaces where style and functionality are equally valued.

  • Hospitality Sector: Commonly found in hotels and spas, offering guests a reliable and aesthetically pleasing experience.


TPJ Manual Soap Dispenser Design

At The Polished Jar, our countertop soap dispensers are available in various forms, including glass, plastic, concrete, and marble, each offering a unique aesthetic appeal. With options for customization, you can choose a design that complements your interior décor, whether it's a sleek modern look or a timeless classic.

Hand lotion and hand wash dispensers on a white counter with palm leaves in the background.

Mounted Soap Dispensers

Wall-mounted soap dispensers provide a sleek and space-saving solution, ideal for areas where countertop space is limited or a minimalist aesthetic is desired. These dispensers are mounted directly onto the wall, offering both functionality and a clean, uncluttered look.

How They Work

Designed to be easily accessible, wall-mounted dispensers feature a pump mechanism, allowing users to dispense soap effortlessly. This type of installation maximizes space and keeps surfaces clean and organized.

Primary Use Cases

Wall-mounted soap dispensers are versatile and can enhance various environments. Here are a few settings where they truly shine:

  • Home Settings: Excellent for bathrooms where space optimization is crucial. Mount them beside the sink to free up counter space or inside the shower to eliminate bottle clutter for a clean, organized look.

  • Business Environments: Perfect for offices and public restrooms, providing a neat and efficient handwashing solution.

  • Hospitality Sector: Widely used in hotels and spas, offering guests a sophisticated and hygienic experience.

Three soap dispensers mounted on wall

TPJ Wall Mount Design Considerations

Each of our wall mounts for soap dispensers is engineered for both style and durability. Our classic single wall mounts can hold an 8-oz., 16-oz., or 32-oz. plastic TPJ bottle. They can also accommodate an 8-oz or 16-oz glass TPJ bottle. With the ability to add personalized touches such as logos or monograms, our wall-mounted bottles reflect your unique style and brand.

Automatic Soap Dispensers

Automatic soap dispensers represent the pinnacle of convenience and hygiene, offering a touch-free experience that's modern and efficient. These dispensers use sensor technology to detect motion, dispensing soap without physical contact, which enhances hygiene, especially in high-traffic areas.

How They Work

Equipped with infrared sensors, automatic dispensers detect the presence of hands and activate the pump mechanism to release a pre-measured amount of soap. This seamless operation promotes cleanliness and minimizes waste, making them an eco-friendly option. 

Primary Use Cases

Automatic soap dispensers are most often found in high-traffic public spaces such as airports, family restaurants, and other places where a touchless handwashing experience is the goal and aesthetics are not a concern.


Foam soap dispenser and wooden bowl of olives lying on a wood tray and towel.

TPJ Foaming Soap Dispenser Design

When ordering your bottle from The Polished Jar, simply choose one of our decorative foaming soap dispenser pumps. Upon arrival, fill it with your favorite foaming soap to ensure it dispenses properly.

Bottles are available in various materials and finishes, including elegant glass and sleek plastic. These dispensers can be customized to suit any décor, offering options for personalization such as monograms or logos. The combination of style and functionality makes our dispensers an excellent addition to any setting.

Liquid Soap Dispensers

Liquid soap dispensers are versatile and widely used options. They are known for their straightforward design and ease of use. They dispense liquid soap directly, offering a classic and effective solution for handwashing needs in various environments.

How They Work

These dispensers operate through a simple pump mechanism, where pressing the pump releases a measured amount of liquid soap. This design ensures a consistent flow, making it a reliable choice for any setting. You'll find them in:

  • Households: Ideal for kitchens and bathrooms, providing a practical and stylish solution for daily handwashing.

  • Business Environments: Suitable for offices and retail spaces that require an efficient and clean soap dispensing method.

  • Hospitality Sectors: Commonly used in hotels and spas, offering guests a familiar and straightforward handwashing experience.

TPJ Liquid Soap Dispenser Design

The Polished Jar offers liquid soap dispensers in a variety of luxurious materials, such as classic glass dispensers, practical plastic soap bottles, and luxury concrete dispensers. Each dispenser is crafted with attention to detail so it serves its function while enhancing the aesthetic of your space. With options for customization, including personalized monograms or branding, these dispensers can be tailored to reflect your unique style or company image..

Handwash and dish soap dispenser sitting on a soap tray.

Foaming vs. Liquid: What’s the Difference

The choice between a foaming or liquid dispenser comes down to the experience you want to create and your practical needs.

  • Foaming Soap, which requires a specialized foaming pump, creates a light, airy lather that's economical and rinses quickly, making it ideal for high-traffic areas, businesses, and families with kids. . 

  • Liquid Soap offers a rich, traditional lather that feels luxurious and is versatile enough for hand soaps, lotions, and sanitizers.

While both are excellent options, they have unique benefits regarding cost, water usage, and feel. For a detailed breakdown to help you decide, explore our complete guide to foam vs liquid soap

Soap dispensers are no longer just functional pieces. They've become essential design elements that can refine the look of any room. At The Polished Jar, we take pride in offering dispensers that add a touch of style to your space. Our customizable options allow you to find the perfect match for your décor:

  • Choose from materials like glass, plastic, marble, and concrete

  • Select from various colors to suit any setting

  • Select the pump style and functionality

  • Add a personal touch with monogramming or branding

FAQs: Types of Soap Dispensers

To help you make an informed decision, here are some frequently asked questions about soap dispensers and The Polished Jar's offerings:

What types of soap can I use in The Polished Jar dispensers?

Our dispensers are versatile and can be used with liquid soaps, lotions, and even foaming soaps with the appropriate pump design. However, avoid using soaps with high amounts of lye, chlorine, or essential oils, as these can be caustic to metal and potentially damage the dispenser.

How do I clean and maintain my soap dispenser?

Regular cleaning with warm water and a mild detergent will keep your dispenser looking and functioning like new. Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the finish.

Can I customize a dispenser with my logo or monogram?

Yes, The Polished Jar offers customization options to include monograms or logos, perfect for personalizing your home, Airbnb, or business.

Are your dispensers refillable?

Absolutely. Our dispensers are easy to refill, promoting sustainability and reducing waste.

Discover Bespoke Soap Dispensers at The Polished Jar

Bring a refined, practical touch to your space with The Polished Jar's line of beautifully crafted soap dispensers. Whether you're updating a kitchen, outfitting a guest bathroom, or sourcing for a hospitality project, our collection offers a thoughtful mix of materials, finishes, and customizable details to match your style. Explore the collection to pick your perfect dispenser.

Explore All Custom Dispensers

 


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