Although they are typically not considered a costly item, in large facilities with scores of restrooms, soap dispensers and the liquid soap that goes in them can be relatively costly. Further, facility managers typically purchase cases of soap at a time, which can require significant storage space.

So why bother with soap dispensers? Why not just place a bar of soap at each sink?

This would likely be a whole lot cheaper, but placing a bar of soap in public restrooms typically makes the sink area messy. Further, a bar of soap can become a breeding ground for all types of germs and bacteria that can spread from one person to another through hand washing. Also, soap bars often fall on the floor, which can lead to a slip-and-fall accident, and often are disposed of in toilets, an action that can lead to plumbing problems.

"Soap bars often fall on the floor, which can lead to a slip-and-fall accident, and often are disposed of in toilets, an action that can lead to plumbing problems."

In most cases, in large and small facilities, the way to go is to install soap dispensers. Fortunately, today’s soap dispensers have many benefits and features that managers will appreciate such as the following:

• Appearance: While dispensers come in various styles, shapes, and colors to address different restroom decors, the goal with Impact Products is to provide dispensers that will look attractive no matter where they are installed.

• Cost-effectiveness: Manually operated soap dispensers, which are the most cost-effective, are designed to release a precise amount of liquid each time they are used. This is referred to as “portion control” and helps minimize waste and keeps supply costs in check.

• Health: Liquid soap dispensers help eliminate the health risks of bar soap and make restrooms cleaner for building users.

• Capacity: The amount of soap a dispenser can hold—referred to as its capacity—can determine the number of dispensers needed in a restroom, the amount of wall space that must be reserved for dispensers, and the number of dispensers that must be maintained. In general, for a busy restroom, the rule is the greater the capacity, the fewer the dispensers; the less the capacity, the more the dispensers.

Before selecting soap dispensers for a facility, facility managers should ask questions. The following questions will help more accurately determine what type of dispensers will work best:

• What type of facility is it (e.g., school, office, house)?

• Is the level of restroom use light, moderate, or heavy?

• Where will the dispenser be placed (e.g., small workspace, large restroom, kitchen)?

• What type of soiling will be on the hands (e.g., grime/oil, ink, dust)? Different types of hand soiling will usually require different cleaners. While this applies more to the soap selected, it can impact the type of dispenser selected as well.

While soap dispensers can be purchased online, it may be wise for facility managers to work with an astute distributor knowledgeable about these systems. Doing so can prevent trial-and-error purchasing, something facility managers do not have the time or money to grapple with.

For more information on soap dispensers, contact Impact Products.