Can I use a lotion pump to dispense liquid soap?
Content
• Regular hand soap (recommended): Thick, non-foaming hand soap from the supermarket is best, as its texture is similar to lotion.
Lotion pumps dispense a smooth, one-pump batch, preventing waste.
• Watery soap (use with caution!): For example, diluted soap or dish soap: If too thin, it will leak from the pump head, making it sticky.
The pump head may not have enough suction, requiring several pumps to dispense only a small amount, which can be frustrating in a hurry.
• Foaming hand soap (incompatible): Foam pumps have a foaming net, while lotion pumps do not.
Force it in? It will dispense a watery blob, failing to foam and leave no lather!
Add a thickener: Add a spoonful of salt or a few drops of xanthan gum to thicken the soap (test with a small amount first). Replace the pump head: Buy a dedicated "foam pump head" (search for keywords on Taobao), it only costs about ten yuan.
Bleach/strong acid soap liquid: Corrodes the spring and seals inside the pump head, rendering it unusable in a few days.
Scrub soap with granules: Clogs the pump tube, making it impossible to clear and forcing you to throw it away.
| Soap Type | Works in Lotion Pump? | Better Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Thick hand soaps (e.g. Softsoap) | Yes | Use as-is |
| Watery liquids (diluted soap, dish detergent) | No | Flip-top bottle or squeeze bottle |
| Foaming soap | No | Switch to foam pump head |
| Handcrafted oil-based soap | Test first | Pump 10 times to check for leaks |