The Small Bathroom Upgrade I Love: A Pretty Foaming Soap Dispenser That Saves Money
Sometimes the smallest changes make a bathroom feel so much more put together.
You do not necessarily need new tile, a new vanity, expensive wallpaper, or an entire bathroom renovation. Sometimes it is as simple as replacing the random plastic soap bottle sitting beside your sink with something that actually looks like it belongs there.
One of my favorite little bathroom upgrades lately has been this ceramic foaming soap dispenser from Amazon.
SHOP MY FOAMING SOAP DISPENSER ON AMAZON
It is one of those incredibly simple purchases that makes the bathroom counter instantly look cleaner and more intentional.
And there is another reason I love it: foaming soap can be incredibly inexpensive to refill.
Instead of continually buying new bottles of foaming hand soap, I use a little Castile soap and water to refill mine. It takes seconds, costs very little per refill, and eliminates all of those mismatched disposable soap bottles from the bathroom counter.
Affiliate Disclosure
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through one of my links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Everyday Wholesome!
AI Disclosure
Some images used in this post may have been created or enhanced with the help of artificial intelligence for inspiration and illustrative purposes. I only recommend products and ideas that I genuinely like and believe may be helpful to my readers.
A Small Bathroom Detail That Makes a Big Difference
I am always surprised by how much the little things affect the way a bathroom looks.
You can have a perfectly clean bathroom, but if the counter is covered with brightly colored toothpaste tubes, disposable soap bottles, toothbrushes, skincare products, and random containers, the entire room can start to feel cluttered.
That is why I love replacing everyday necessities with pretty, functional versions whenever possible.
This ceramic soap dispenser is exactly that.
It has a simple, neutral look that blends in beautifully rather than becoming another distracting item on the counter. It feels more like bathroom decor than a container you bought simply because you needed somewhere to put the soap.
SEE THE SOAP DISPENSER ON AMAZON
It Looks So Much Better Than a Plastic Soap Bottle
This may be the biggest reason I like it.
Traditional hand-soap bottles are practical, but most of them are not exactly beautiful.
You buy one because you like the soap inside it, and then suddenly your neutral bathroom has a bright blue, green, orange, or purple plastic bottle sitting in the middle of the countertop.
This dispenser gives you the freedom to buy whatever soap you like without worrying about what the packaging looks like.
You simply pour your soap mixture into the dispenser and keep the pretty ceramic container on the counter.
It gives the bathroom a much more polished look.
This works especially well if you like:
- Neutral bathrooms
- Beige bathroom decor
- White bathrooms
- Minimalist decor
- Modern farmhouse bathrooms
- Organic modern decor
- Guest bathroom decorating
- Small bathroom organization
- Simple bathroom countertop decor
It is such a tiny change, but visually it makes a difference.
I Especially Love It for Small Bathrooms
When you have a small bathroom, everything on the counter matters.
There simply is not enough space for a lot of clutter.
That is why I would rather have one attractive soap dispenser sitting by the sink than a collection of disposable bottles.
The ceramic design makes the dispenser feel substantial without making the counter look busy.
And because it is something you actually use every single day, it is not decorative clutter.
That is one of my favorite rules when decorating small spaces: whenever possible, make the practical things pretty.
You already need hand soap.
You already need a soap dispenser.
You might as well choose one that looks beautiful sitting beside the sink.
It Has That Simple, High-End Look
There is something about ceramic bathroom accessories that immediately makes a bathroom look a little more elevated.
The soft neutral finish and streamlined pump give this one a very clean look.
It reminds me of the bathroom accessories you see in pretty hotels, spas, Airbnbs, and beautifully staged homes.
But this is such an inexpensive and simple way to get that same effect.
You could easily use it in:
- A powder room
- Kids’ bathroom
- Primary bathroom
- Guest bathroom
- Kitchen
- Laundry room
- Mudroom sink
I especially like this idea for a guest bathroom because it gives the room a more finished appearance without requiring much decorating.
Foaming Soap Is So Easy to Use
I also really like foaming hand soap.
The pump does the work of turning the diluted soap mixture into foam, so you get that fluffy hand soap consistency without needing to fill the entire container with expensive soap.
It is easy for adults and kids to use, and you only need a pump or two.
And because you can refill the container yourself, you can control exactly what soap you put inside.
My Cheap Castile Soap Trick
Here is my favorite part.
You do not need to fill the entire dispenser with Castile soap.
That would get expensive very quickly — and it would be far too concentrated for a foaming dispenser anyway.
Instead, I only put approximately an inch of Castile soap in the bottom of the dispenser.
Then I slowly add water.
That is it.
It stretches one bottle of Castile soap for a surprisingly long time.
My basic method:
- Remove the foaming pump.
- Pour approximately the bottom inch of the container with Castile soap.
- Slowly add water.
- Do NOT fill the container all the way to the very top.
- Leave enough room for the pump mechanism to go back inside.
- Carefully replace the pump.
- Give it a very gentle mix if needed rather than aggressively shaking it.
You can adjust the amount of soap slightly depending on how thick or concentrated you prefer your foam.
[SHOP MY FAVORITE CASTILE SOAP ON AMAZON — ADD YOUR AFFILIATE LINK HERE]
Do Not Overfill It!
This is probably my biggest tip.
Do not fill your dispenser all the way to the top before putting the pump back in.
Remember that the pump itself takes up space.
If you fill the container completely with water and then push the pump mechanism down into it, the liquid level will rise.
Then you can end up with soapy water overflowing around the top or getting farther up into the pump area than you want.
Instead, add the Castile soap first and then slowly add the water while leaving some empty space toward the top.
Put the pump in and see where the liquid level lands.
You can always add a little more water afterward if necessary.
It is much easier to add more than to clean up an overflowing soap dispenser.
Add the Water Slowly
Another little trick: add the water slowly.
If you blast water directly into Castile soap, you may end up with a container overflowing with bubbles before you have even finished filling it.
Pour the soap into the bottom first and then let the water run gently down the side of the container.
You do not need to shake it aggressively.
The soap and water will mix naturally as you use it.
Clean the Dispenser Between Refills
Every so often, completely empty and rinse the dispenser rather than continually topping it off.
I like doing this because soap residue can eventually collect around the pump and inside the container.
The wide opening makes refilling and cleaning much easier than dispensers with tiny bottle openings.
Wash it, allow it to dry, and then start with a fresh batch of soap and water.
If you are diluting soap with water, making smaller batches and cleaning the dispenser between batches is also a good practice rather than letting the same diluted mixture sit indefinitely.
It Can Actually Save Money
This is one reason I think a refillable foaming dispenser is worth buying even if you are not particularly interested in bathroom decorating.
It can save money.
Instead of purchasing a brand-new disposable foaming hand-soap bottle every time you run out, you are buying a larger container of Castile soap and using a relatively small amount with each refill.
That means one bottle can be stretched across many refills.
If you have several bathrooms, this can be especially helpful.
Buy several matching dispensers and refill them all using the same bottle of soap.
No more buying four separate decorative soap bottles.
And no more realizing that someone used the last pump of hand soap and you forgot to buy another bottle.
It Helps Reduce Bathroom Counter Clutter
I have found that one of the easiest ways to make a bathroom look better is to reduce the number of labels you can see.
Labels create visual clutter.
Even when everything is technically organized, five different bottles with five different fonts, colors, logos, and labels can make a counter feel busy.
Putting everyday products into simple matching containers creates a much calmer look.
You can apply the same idea to:
- Hand soap
- Cotton swabs
- Cotton rounds
- Tissues
- Toothbrushes
- Lotion
- Bath salts
- Shampoo and conditioner
You definitely do not need to decant everything in your house, but hand soap is one of the easiest places to start.
This Is a Great Trick for Guest Bathrooms
I especially like pretty refillable soap dispensers for guest bathrooms and powder rooms.
These bathrooms are often very small, which means you do not need much decor.
A pretty hand towel, nice soap dispenser, little plant, candle, or small piece of artwork may be all the room needs.
And because the soap dispenser is functional, it does not create unnecessary clutter.
Fill it before guests arrive and the bathroom instantly feels more welcoming.
An Easy Bathroom Refresh Without Renovating
I love inexpensive home changes that make a noticeable difference.
There are plenty of beautiful bathroom renovations online, but most of us are not ripping out tile every time we want our bathroom to feel prettier.
Sometimes all you need is:
- Fresh towels
- A clean countertop
- A pretty soap dispenser
- Coordinating bathroom accessories
- A new bath mat
- A small piece of artwork
- Better lighting
- A basket for clutter
Tiny improvements add up.
And replacing the disposable soap bottle is probably one of the easiest changes on that list.
Where to Buy My Soap Dispenser
You can find the ceramic foaming soap dispenser I use on Amazon here:
SHOP THE CERAMIC FOAMING SOAP DISPENSER ON AMAZON
I love that it looks clean and sleek on the bathroom counter while still being incredibly practical.
And once you start making your own inexpensive foaming Castile soap refills, it becomes one of those household products that you use constantly.
Final Thoughts
If your bathroom counter always feels a little cluttered, start with the smallest things.
You may be surprised by how much better the room looks when you replace one disposable bottle with a simple ceramic dispenser.
This one is pretty, easy to refill, easy to use, and works beautifully with my inexpensive Castile-soap-and-water method.
Pour a little Castile soap into the bottom.
Add water slowly.
Leave room at the top.
Put the foaming pump back in.
Done.
It is one of those very small home upgrades that makes everyday life just a little prettier — and I am always a fan of that.
SHOP MY SOAP DISPENSER ON AMAZON
