He Got Tired of Refilling His Kitchen Soap Dispenser Every Month, So He Made One Change
Built-in kitchen soap dispensers keep extra bottles off the countertop, but refilling them can be frustrating. The small container beneath the sink often sits behind cleaning supplies, while pouring soap through the opening above can lead to spills and overfilling.
One homeowner found a way around both problems. Instead of replacing his dispenser, he connected the existing pump to a larger soap supply beneath the sink.
Homeowner u/positronus completed the modification in about 10 minutes using plastic tubing. The change allowed him to stop refilling the original container every month.
Why Connect Plastic Tubing to a Kitchen Soap Dispenser?
A length of clear plastic tubing replaces the short intake line connected to the dispenser pump. The hose reaches into the cabinet below, allowing the pump to draw soap from a separate container.
The modification keeps the existing countertop fixture without requiring another opening in the sink.
How He Extended the Soap Dispenser’s Supply Line
The homeowner removed the metal pump head and attached the tubing to its white plastic intake assembly.
He then fed the hose through the dispenser opening and into the cabinet beneath the sink. The connection needs to fit the pump stem to prevent air leaks.
A 135-Ounce Bottle Replaced the Small Reservoir
The hose runs into a 135-fluid-ounce bottle of Kirkland UltraShine dish soap, holding 3.99 liters. The container sits on the cabinet floor beside the plumbing.
When the bottle runs empty, the homeowner can transfer the tube into another one.
The longer supply line required 15 presses of the pump before soap reached the dispenser for the first time.
What to Know Before Trying This Soap Dispenser Trick
Many built-in dispensers can be refilled from above by removing the pump head. For those who prefer a larger reservoir, the tubing must fit the pump connection and reach the bottom of the bottle. Some pumps may need a check valve to keep the line primed.
Keeping the dispenser clean also matters. A study published in MicrobiologyOpen found bacterial contamination in 70.2% of refillable pump dispensers tested in German hotels. Although the research did not examine kitchen dish soap, the findings highlight the importance of keeping reusable pump components clean and dry.
Would you connect your soap dispenser to a larger bottle or keep refilling it from above?
Images courtesy of u/positronus.