Refillable soap dispensers are the most commonly utilized hand soap dispensers, but they may pose a danger. That's why you need to understand how to clean these dispensers during your normal janitorial rounds. It'll help stop the spread of dangerous bacteria.

The Dangers Of Dirty Soap Dispensers

Studies by the BioScience Laboratories and the University of Arizona found that bulk-soap-refillable soap dispensers are incredibly prone to bacterial infections. They tested 14 dispensers at an elementary school and found that every single one of them was contaminated. Even worse, they found that this bacteria was easily transferable to secondary surfaces.

The study also found that soap dispensers that utilized bagged soap, rather than liquid refill, were completely free from bacterial infestation. So if you have refillable containers, you need to make sure you clean them heavily between each use.

Cleaning Your Dispenser

The quickest and easiest way to clean your soap dispenser involves carefully removing it from the wall and soaking it in water and vinegar. The head of the dispenser (which contains the soap) should easily slide off the wall bracket. There may be screws holding it to the bracket, however. Check the head of the screw and choose the proper screwdriver to remove the screws. They are likely to be Phillips head.

Now, mix warm water and vinegar in a sink at a ratio of 50/50. Use a rag to wipe down the surface of the dispenser and remove gunk or other debris that may be clinging to its surface. Let it soak for 15-20 minutes, remove it, and run it under hot water to rinse.

Further Disinfecting The Dispenser

Cleaning your soap dispenser utilizing the above mentioned method may not be enough the first time you clean it. There's a good chance you may have never cleaned it before, meaning the bacterial buildup may be extensive. That's why you should consider a more severe disinfectant method.

Basically, you're going to use a substance like bleach, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, or baking soda to eliminate bacteria. There are two different ways you can approach this: first, you can soak your dispenser directly in the substance or simply wipe down the surface

When using harsher substances like bleach or ammonia, it's a good idea to avoid soaking, because it may damage the dispenser. Instead, simply wipe it on the storage surface and in the dispenser nozzle to fully disinfect it. Rinse with hot water and wipe with a rag to remove any lingering remnants.

Cleaning these dispensers shouldn't be too time-consuming, but it might be a good idea to try to talk to your employer and get them to invest in bagged soap dispensers. They cost a little more, but they will help prevent bacterial infection. Until then, simply clean the dispensers you have.

For more information on custodial supplies, contact a company like R & R Products.