FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In
Tips & Techniques

Endless soap dispenser

Issue 145
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

The sink-mounted soap dispensers in our home get plenty of use. But filling these dispensers is a pain. You either struggle under the sink to retrieve the bottle, or you have to fill them from the top, which isn’t easy to do accurately. So what’s my solution to this dilemma?

What I’ve done is to toss the bottle and extend the pump’s rigid tube with a piece of clear, flexible hose that reaches into a gallon jug of soap under the sink. I’ve found that 1/4-in. or 3/8-in. I. D. hose works just fine. It should be a snug fit, and so far, hose clamps haven’t been necessary. If the pump’s tube is the flexible variety, use a short piece of rigid copper tubing with an I. D. that matches the tube’s O. D. as a coupling to link the tube with a length of hose. Make the hose as short as possible —  24 in. should do it — and leave the lid off the gallon soap jug so that a vacuum doesn’t form inside it.

Take a peek under the sink from time to time to check the soap level. At our house, a gallon should last, oh, forever.

J. Kaye, Phenix, VA

Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller

From Fine Homebuilding #145

Sign up for the Fine Homebuilding Tip of the Day and get daily tips and special offers delivered to your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

View Comments

  1. marleyjune | Oct 08, 2016 06:14pm | #1

    No.
    Tried it. Does not work.

  2. SeanLinster | Oct 08, 2016 06:55pm | #2

    @marleyjune Troll much? This is a great idea, if it didn't work for you it's because you did it wrong...

  3. user-16246 | Oct 09, 2016 09:55am | #3

    Yes, this does work for I have done my liquid detergent and hand soap this way, but not necessarily the way he designed it. The distance from the reservoir to the pump needs to me shortened so I built a small shelf to hold the bottle of soap and using copper will corrode and cause blockage from antibacterial soap. Use all parts in the correct size vinyl or plastic tubing. If not correct it will not get the vacuum for lift.

  4. user-7020010 | Dec 23, 2018 08:20pm | #4

    I did 3 proposals for the NEC 2020, but because it is a design issue maybe they won’t approve it. I included here, I am using those “tricks” from the 90s with excellent results. Pardon my English as it is my second language but I don’t think with an accent (LOL) . I hope this is the right place for the comments.
    1) I proposed to fabricate “Romex” conductors for multi-wiring circuits with red (or other color) circles for the neutrals and the same design for single neutral conductors for conduit runs AND with the existing installations, the electricians must identified those neutrals with a red (or other color) market and install a label on the panel indicating that alteration. Many handymen and homeowners don’t know how to deal with those multi-wiring.
    2) I proposed to fabricate extra size protection plates for when a stud is “notched” (not when the middle point is drilled) as many drywallers with the force they do screwing those fasteners, sometimes those sliding as it was a case in one of a projects that I went to fix when the screw slide and hit the neutral in a multi wiring. Btw, that multi-wiring where for appliances, a no-no and it burned the refrigerator. Multi-wiring shouldn’t be use for appliances.
    3) Install plumbing insulation (the cheap one) on direct burial Cables or others before filling the trench; it gives extra protection to those. Some people are not carefully, someone filled a trench and instead of using primarily the required sand, he filled it with the dirty and a rock damaged one of the conductor’s insulation.

    Regards and nice holidays for everyone!

    Louis Duke

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More Tips & Techniques

View All
  • Precut Bottom Plates in Doorways
  • Prevent Paint Bridging With Picks
  • Stop Cracks at Corners
  • Sticker Smudge Solution
View All

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Affordable Scans, Accurate Plans

Hover's smartphone app offers an easier way to get precise 3D scans.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • FHB Podcast Segment: Patching Drywall Near a Shower
  • Laundry and Pantry in One
  • Period Kitchen for an Arts & Crafts House
  • Timeless 1920s Colonial Revival Kitchen

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

Video

View All Videos
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Patching Drywall Near a Shower
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Shower Wall and Tub Surround Panels Explained
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Insulating and Air-Sealing Behind a Masonry Wall in a Remodel
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Keep Pipes From Freezing in an Exterior Wall
View All

Kitchens

View All Kitchens Articles
  • Laundry and Pantry in One
  • Period Kitchen for an Arts & Crafts House
  • Timeless 1920s Colonial Revival Kitchen
View All Kitchens Articles

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data