Liquid soap dispensers are simple devices that have firmly established themselves in Polish kitchens and bathrooms. Their operating principle is incredibly simple: you press the pump, soap flows out through the spout, and the pump automatically retracts for the next cycle. Unfortunately, even such a straightforward accessory can break down. The most common cause of malfunction is a clogged or broken spring. Let's see how to handle this.
Liquid soap dispenser - how does the pump work?
The pump in a soap dispenser is a very clever mechanism. When you press it with your finger, the spring-loaded piston pushes air into the soap reservoir, creating a vacuum inside the container. The liquid is sucked in right after the piston retracts. The next press causes a portion of the soap to be pushed into a small tube that leads to the spout, while the rest returns to the reservoir, creating the vacuum necessary for pushing fresh soap.
The dispenser pump doesn't work - what does it mean?
The two most common problems associated with manual dispensers are the pump not retracting or incorrect soap distribution. If you notice that the pump is not retracting, it has likely become blocked. It is worth remembering that some soap dispensers lock after a full press of the pump and a 90-degree rotation. In such a case, the pump can be unblocked by rotating it back to the operational position.
Another potential problem is a too short or broken tube. Cheap liquid soap dispensers made of plastic usually have plastic tubes that are easily damaged. A frequent cause of malfunction can also be a clogged tube. Sometimes soap solidifies in the tube, effectively blocking it - in this case, simply rinse the mechanism with warm water.
Soap dispenser - how to clean the accessory?
First, unscrew the cap from the soap container and remove the pump from the dispenser. Wipe the tube thoroughly with a paper towel, then submerge all the equipment, including the pump and tubes, in warm water for about 5 minutes. The water dissolves the congealed soap, so if you had issues dispensing liquid, this procedure may resolve the problem. If the cause of the malfunction is a broken spring, soaking the mechanism will facilitate later disassembly of the device.
The soap dispenser still doesn't work - what to do?
If the soap dispenser doesn't work even after thorough cleaning, you can proceed to a complete "service". Start by unscrewing the pump reservoir from the spout, then remove the spring. If the accessory is in good technical condition and shows no signs of intensive use, it makes no sense to buy a new dispenser. The cost of purchasing a spring is low, and its installation is entirely intuitive. You can also replace the dispenser tube if it is too short or broken. The tube is not permanently attached to the dispenser, so you can easily remove it. Replacement accessories can be found in any bathroom store and on the manufacturer's website.
Don't look for new dispensers - fix the old ones!
If none of these procedures fix your pump, it probably means there has been damage to the internal seals. In such a case, repair is absolutely not cost-effective, and the better solution is to buy a new pump. However, such cases are rare, so with a little effort, you can save your soap dispenser and restore its functionality. Remember to respond right after noticing the first problems. In most cases, simply using warm water and thoroughly rinsing the dispenser will restore its unobstructed operation.
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