How to Fix a Liquid Soap Dispenser

Thicker liquid soaps with moisturizers tend to clog more often.

Liquid soap dispensers have replaced bars of soap at most kitchen and bathroom sinks. Unfortunately, the liquid soaps they dispense tend to dry out and clog the dispenser nozzle. Continued use of a clogged soap dispenser may cause permanent damage to the internal dispensing mechanism. A few common household items help to work out the clog and revitalize the working parts of the pump. You quickly an repair a liquid soap dispenser and get it freely flowing again.

Things You'll Need

• Paper clip
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• Dish
• Towel
• Water displacing lubricant

Instructions

1. Remove the pump from the liquid soap dispenser. Most dispensers have a pump threaded onto the top or bottom of the liquid soap reservoir. Prop the open base of the dispenser up so no soap spills during the repair.

2. Straighten a paper clip. Poke the straight paper clip into the dispensing nozzle and feed straw. Pull out as much of the gummy dried soap as possible.

3. Plug the sink and fill it 3/4 full of hot water. Add the white vinegar and liquid soap pump to the sink. Cover the pump with a small dish to weigh it down for a 15-minute underwater soak.

4. Compress the pump underwater five time. Lift the pump so only the feed straw is submerged. Compress the pump again to see if water flows out the nozzle.

5. Clear residue from the nozzle and feed straw if any clog remains. Repeat the 15-minute hot soak process and retest the pump until you are satisfied. Dry the entire pump assembly.

6. Apply a thin layer of water displacing lubricant to the metal spring or any other moving parts inside the pump. Wipe away the excess lubricant. Reassemble the repaired liquid soap dispenser.

Tips & Warnings

• Thin out a thick liquid soap by adding one part purified water to three parts soap in the dispenser. Most liquid soaps list purified water as their first ingredient.

• Sink-mounted dispensers may require a small bead of plumber's putty between the pump and reservoir connections to keep them airtight.

• Commercial liquid soap dispensers may be covered by a maintenance contract. Contact the service company prior to attempting a repair to avoid violating the terms of the agreement.

References

• Mrs. Fixit: Soap Dispenser Assembly