Use Directions

Foam Soap Pump and Bottle Use & Directions

We supply a variety of Foam Soap Pumps and Bottles. These are the same foamers that you see in various retail products such as Bed, Bath & Beyond, Bath & Body Works, Dial, Johnson and Johnson Band Aid Foam as well as Pampered Chef and Avon.  However, most of these companies have now switched to China, I am proud to say that our pumps are still made in the U.S. and are far more reliable.

Choosing Your Liquid Soap

The bottles are designed to work with a thin substance of water-like consistency and must have sufficient surfactants (soap or detergents) to create the foam. The liquid should be water-based, and it has to be able to foam using only normal air (no gasses or other propellants).

Many commercial soft or liquid soaps will work in the foam pump bottles if sufficiently diluted. However, often commercial liquid soaps, especially "gel" soaps, contain thickeners. Soaps with thickeners may require so much water to dilute them to "water-thin" that the effectivness and foamability of the soap may be compromised.

Handmade liquid soaps usually work extremely well in the foam pump bottles as they are generally thin to start with and normally do not contain added fillers and thickeners. Do not use "melted down" bar soap in place of an actual liquid soap because bar soaps tend to clump or gel and can clog the mechanisms inside the foam pump.  Keep in mind that many essential oils and additives will clog the screen mesh and will result in the pump getting stuck.

Please note: Most essential oils and aditives may clog the fine mesh screen in the foamer ump and should be tested often to ensure that yur formulation is compatible.

Dilution Ratios:

You want to dilute the soap as much as you can, while still keeping the desired feel and consistency in the foam. As a general guideline, you should be able to dilute your normal liquid soap by 3 - 6 times.

Start with 1 part soap and 6-8 parts water and see how it feels. Add additional water until the foam just barely starts to thin out. Slighly LESS than that amount of water is the right amount use with that particular type of soap.  If it comes out like syrup there is too much product and not enough water.  If it comes out like spit, there is not enough product.

While it might be tempting to keep the liquid soap thick and reduce the dilution rate, doing so is likely to cause the pump to stick over time. Remember, these pumps were made for liquids of the consistency of WATER. The thicker the liquid, the more likely you are to have trouble with it in the future. Other Additives

Inside the pump of the Foamy Pump Bottle is a little mesh screen that mixes the soap with air to produce the foam. The holes are microscopic (79 microns - very tiny!), and can easily get clogged. The manufacturer does not recommend the addition of any solid particle, even if it is under 79 microns, as solid particles tend to clump together, making them too big to pass through the mesh. Micas, pigments and any type of glitter are too big to work in the foamy pump bottles.

If you want to color your liquid soap, use dye approved for cosmetic use. These work similarly to food coloring and do not contain any solid particles big enough to clog the mesh inside the pump. Usage and Care

The pumps are not designed to be used under running water. Use in the shower is not recommended and the bottles should not be placed or washed under running water. Doing so may allow water to seep down the neck and get into the air chamber located beneath the pump.

Do not overfill the bottles. If you actually measure out the right amount of liquid for the bottle size, you'll see that it doesn't actually fill to the very top of the bottle. This is to prevent liquid from getting into the air chamber.

Bottles can be refilled and the pumps reused.  Keep in mind though that this is considered a one time use disposable product and will not work indefinately.  The manufacturer has tested the bottle/pump design and found it works for up to 12,000 pumps per unit.

Troubleshooting:
If you have trouble with the pump, check the following things:

Is the soap too thick?

This is a common problem with the pumps. To work in the foam pump bottles the liquid should be water-thin. If it is too thick, the pump won't work properly and/or can be permanently damaged. To resolve, increase the dilution rate or use a different soap.

Is there liquid in the air chamber?

You should see it inside the chamber below the pump. If so, turn it upside down and pump a few times which should get the water out of the air chamber. If that doesn't work (and if you are brave) take the pump apart, clean it completely, dry thoroughly and reassemble.

Has there liquid in the air chamber for a while?

If so, clean as above. However, if the soap has had time to degrade the silicone in the pump, it may not regain the original amount "spring" back up.

Is the screen clogged?

Empty the container, clean the screen and flush with water (it won't foam). Use a different liquid soap without particles in it that can clog the screen.  Essential oils may clog the screen and the pumps are not guaranteed.  However, we do sell replacement pumps as needed.

Call or email us with any additional questions and thank you for the opportunity to earn your business.