If you're going to DIY, why not make it natural?

Save yourself some extra bucks this year with this two (yes, two) ingredient spray 

that supports skincare, haircare and possibly your mental health with soothing lavender essential oil.

3-1 Essential Oil Room Spray

What can this be used for?

1. Skin Toner

2. Anti-Frizz Spray

3. Calming Room Spray

Pictured: Apothecary Glass Mist Bottle with Black Aluminum Sprayer

How To Make Your Own Lavender EO Spray

What are the ingredients?

1. Water

2. Lavender Essential Oil

Whew, that was easy...

How much Lavender essential oil do you need? 

For a typical 8oz bottle (such as the one pictured above) we recommend using 7-10 drops of EO. Give it a little shake and it's ready for use!

Display your bottle in a bathroom, kitchen, guest room or living room space! Anywhere you would prefer to have it available for multipurpose use. 

Try this DIY out for yourself! It's simple and most importantly useful. 

Want to share your DIYs with Rail19 products? Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook. 

We'd love to feature your images on our page!

Foaming vs. Non-foaming Soap: Which One is Better For Washing Your Hands?

Many businesses and other public areas are increasingly turning to foaming soap over liquid soap due to its cost-effectiveness: studies have shown that people use about 16% less water on average when washing with foam soap, leading to huge water savings. Additionally, foaming soap takes less soap to create foaming soap. 

How Does Foaming Soap Work?

Foaming soap starts in its container as a liquid. When someone pumps the container, air is injected into the liquid, creating the foam.

As a result, foaming soap also cuts costs by using less liquid while still looking like you have a lot of soap in your hands. 

Foaming Vs. Non-foaming Soap

Foam soap may be cheaper, but it turns out that liquid soap is much more effective at killing germs. In one study, researchers found that liquid hand soap caused a statistically significant drop in germs on the hand. Foaming soap also decreased the amount of germs present on the subjects’ hands, but by a smaller margin.

The researchers suspect that liquid soap was more effective for two reasons. Firstly, it comes out un-lathered — the washer must lather their hands up, leading to a more complete coverage of the hands with soap.

The other reason is the amount of soap that comes out. Foam soap is a bit misleading — a lot less soap comes out than what meets the eye, thanks to the air injection to create the foam.

In conclusion, it appears that non-foaming liquid soap is more effective at killing germs. But, foaming soap is more cost effective when making your own and saves more water ; both making a positive impact on the environment. 

What ever happened to bar soap?

Germs can grow on bar soap and easily spread from one person to another and has fell waste side when it comes to washing hands for the purpose of washing germs. 

Antibacterial Soap

According to the FDA, research finds that anti-bacterial soap is no more effective than plain soap in killing germs on your hands or body. 

What Kills The Germs On Your Hands When Washing?

We’re all well-aware that washing your hands is critical to keeping ourselves and those around use healthy and safe from not only coronavirus, but other bacteria and viruses like the flu, Salmonella, food poisoning and E. coli 0157.

How exactly does this work, though? Is it the temperature of the water you use or the type of soap? Or is it something else?

If you don’t know what gets rid of the germs on your hands, you may be unknowingly washing your hands improperly — and not killing as many germs as a result. We've outlines some the most important factors when it comes to killing germs through hand washing. 

Water Temperature

You’d think that hot water would be most effective at killing germs — after all, we cook raw food to remove harmful bacteria — but that’s not the case, according to the CDC.

Water serves only to physically remove bacteria and viruses from the skin. Hot water can hurt your hands without removing any extra bacteria, so stick to warm or cold.

Of course, water alone does not remove everything from your hands. For that, you’ll need soap.

Soap Type

Believe it or not, your hand soap does not kill germs. It instead supplements water to remove more organisms from your skin.

Chemically, the soap loosens germ-containing particles on the skin and then dissolves them in water, making them much easier to remove.

On top of that, soap encourages you change your washing behavior — you wash your hands longer to get the soap off, removing even more harmful microbes.

Now, many hand soaps nowadays contain antibacterial additives, yet even these soaps are barely more effective at killing bacteria.

Dry Your Hands Thoroughly

According to the CDC, wet hands can spread disease more easily than dry hands. Make sure that you dry your hands thoroughly with a clean towel or an air dryer every time.

The 20 Second Rule

This is the golden rule when it comes to washing your hands. It's recommended to wash for a full 20 seconds washing between fingers, backs of hands and nails. Need help passing the time? Sing happy birthday or your ABCs!

How to Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer

While hand washing is ideal, hand sanitizer is a great way to keep your hands clean in a pinch — but as the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to spread, many store shelves are empty of hand sanitizer and sanitizer wipes. Even those that are filling the shelves seem to have a not-so-desirable scent or are using the bare minimum alcohol requirements.

Fortunately, you can make your own hand sanitizer at home and use beautiful glass mist spray bottles or glass spray bottles to house them. 

DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipe

An effective hand sanitizer needs to contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective at killing germs. In addition, it needs an emollient to preserve the moisture in your skin.

These things may be hard for you to measure, but fortunately, the World Health Organization (WHO) has created a recipe you can follow:

●1 cup of 99% isopropyl alcohol

●1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide

●1 teaspoon of 98% glycerin — your emollient

●¼ cup, 1 tablespoon, and 1 teaspoon (or 85 milliliters) of sterile distilled or boiled cold water

Now, this recipe will make 2.6 gallons of hand sanitizer, which is plenty. If you want less, you can scale down the ingredients proportionally.

Here is the step-by-step process on how to make this sanitizer:

1.Pour alcohol into sufficiently large container

2.Add hydrogen peroxide

3.Add glycerin and stir

4.Measure and add water

5. Want a mood-boosting scent? Try adding clove, tea tree, cinnamon, or lavender essential oils. About 10 drops for every 4oz. Be sure to check your essential oil labels for allergy and topical warnings. Some essential oils like rosemary + clove even have antimicrobial qualities. 

6. Want to soften? Try adding aloe vera to add some moisturizing qualities to your hand sanitizer recipe. 

From there, you’ll want to sanitize your old sanitizer bottles by adding some leftover alcohol and waiting for it to evaporate. You may also use glass containers that have been sterilized by your dishwasher.

Then, add your sanitizer to your bottles. Label them to prevent someone from ingesting your sanitizer by accident.

Can't locate isopropyl alcohol? Try using 190-proof grain (ethyl) alcohol instead and add aloe vera gel to help protect from the dryness of the alcohol. 

How to Use Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is not meant to replace hand-washing with soap and water — the latter kills more types of germs. Plus, hand sanitizer has been shown to be less effective when hands are visibly greasy and dirty.

However, if your hands aren’t visibly dirty, then hand sanitizer can work well enough when you don’t have access to soap and water.

The CDC provides a very simple process for using hand sanitizer properly:

1.Read the bottle label to determine the correct amount to use

2.Apply directed amount to one palm

3.Rub sanitizer all over hands until dry. Be sure to get on and around fingers and nails. 

As the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads to the United States, everyone is searching for ways to protect themselves and prevent the spreading of germs.  Across the board, hand washing makes it to the top of the list. The Mayo Clinic suggests "practicing everyday prevention" by washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 second. 

With the increased number of times you may be hand washing in the coming months, you may be tempted to make your own foaming soap to save on money, or to avoid the crowds, or it may be that stores shelves low or out of hand soap. Whatever the reason, making your own foam soap is simple, but there are few things you might want to know beforehand. We have created a short list of helpful tips when making your own foaming soap; some you may already know, while some might surprise you. 

Making foaming soap with non-foaming soap 

THE MIXTURE

5 parts water + 1 part non-foaming hand soap

A very important part of the mixture is the actual mixing. It's never recommended to shake or stir your mixture with a closed lid. Instead, use a spoon to stir your non-foaming soap and water thoroughly. Be sure that your 2 ingredients are completely dissolved together.

USE DISTILLED WATER 

This is a very IMPORTANT note. Although its much simpler to use good ole tap water (or filtered) to fill up your soap dispenser, over time this can cause microbial contamination. You may opt to distill your water through a boiling process, although these can be more time consuming. 

Using un-distilled water can also cause a decreased cleansing abilities and poor lather performance.

THERE IS AN EXPIRATION (sorry it doesn't last forever)

Although you may go through your soap pretty quickly, we thought it worth mentioning just in case you use your soap slowly. Using the DIY foam mixture within 30 days is recommended. Once finished or at the end of 30 days, wash your soap dispenser base with clean soap and water and then refill. If your glass soap dispenser base is dishwasher safe, this is the easiest way to clean or sanitize before your next refill. 

And, although we are on the subject of DIY foaming soap, checking expirations for any on-body product such as lotions, make-up, shampoos, etc is wise, as they most likely have an expiration. Even hand sanitizer expires! 

Essential Oils / Oils + Other Ingredients

Do you add essential oils and other ingredients to your mix? If so, you might want to check the shelf life before doing so. While your water might be good for a period of time, and your soap is good for a period of time, this doesn't mean your oil/essential oil (or any other added ingredient) is good for the same amount of time. And, this can cause your entire batch to go rancid. Check all ingredients for shelf life before added to your mix.

If you find that your pump is sticking or refusing to foam, check that your essential oil is not the culprit. Some oils can create a build up on the inner filters; damaging the pump. 

GLASS FOAM SOAP DISPENSERS - WHY YOU SHOULDN'T REUSE PLASTIC SOAP BOTTLES

When selecting your foaming soap container, you may consider whether you should use plastic or glass. We of course recommend a glass foam soap dispenser with a metal foam pump. 

Some people will purchase a 1-use-only plastic dispenser bottle and continue to refill this same plastic bottle over and over. And, while they have the best intentions to stop the waste of plastic, there are some troubling issues when reusing plastic soap bottles. 

Most importantly when you reuse plastic soap bottles over and over they can leach chemicals. Most kitchens and bathrooms (especially shower rooms) can get steamy and hot which may only increase the leaching process. Some soap companies and food companies have began putting notices on their plastic bottles to not reuse them. 

We hope these tips are helpful to you and keep you informed. Whether you make your own foam soap or use premixed, keeping your hands clean is always a good choice. 

Shop Glass Foaming Soap Dispensers >

In the wake of the current COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, you may want to know some ways to keep yourself healthy and safe.

Washing your hands is one of the best ways to keep the spread of germs at bay. Let’s look at when and how you should wash your hands to stay healthy.

When Should You Wash Your Hands?

To prevent the spread of germs and disease, wash your hands in any of the following events:

• Before, during, and after food preparation
• Before and after meals
• Before and after touching a sick individual
• Before and after treating wounds
• After using the bathroom
• After coughing, sneezing, or wiping/blowing your nose
• After changing diapers
• After cleaning a child who has used the bathroom
• After taking out the garbage
• After touching an animal or cleaning animal waste
• After handling pet food/treats

And, when in doubt, wash your hands.

The Right Way to Wash Your Hands

Washing your hands is such an easy yet effective method for staying healthy. Clean hands keep you healthy, but they also prevent the spread of disease to others in your home, work and community.

According to the CDC, follow these five steps every time you need to give your hands a wash:

1.Wet your hands with clean, running water — either warm or cold — then turn off the tap and apply soap

2.Lather your hands with the soap by rubbing them together. Make sure you cover the backs of your hands, between the fingers, and underneath your fingernails.

3.Scrub your hands for 20 seconds. Hum the entire “Happy Birthday” song twice if you need a timer.

4.Rinse your hands with clean, running water.

5.Either air dry your hands or use a clean towel.

What About Hand Sanitizer?

Hand sanitizer does not kill as many types of germs as soap and water, but it can be useful in a pinch. If you must use hand sanitizer, rub it over all surfaces of your hands for 20 seconds and let air dry fully before resuming activities. 

DIY FOAMING SHAVING CREAM

Everyone loves a good lather when shaving right? Creating your own lathery foamy shaving cream is easy and we’re going to show you how to make it with one ingredient that might surprise you.

Summer and Winter months can be rough on skin, making it dry and cracked, and at times shaving (and certain shaving creams) can increase dryness. With shaving cream, we want it to have a moisturizing effect and leave skin smooth and soft. When creating this recipe, we went to ingredients we knew would be skin softening but there is a surprise ingredient; bath bombs.

If you have ever indulged in a long soak and dropped a bath bomb (or three) into your bath, you know that silky soft feeling afterward. You may have also enjoyed the fizz and bubble of those bath bombs as they melted in your luxurious bath. Both of these elements make for the perfect and ultimate moisturizing foaming shaving cream.

If you are a regular DIYer of your own natural beauty care, you may already have some if not all of these ingredients readily available. The good news is, even in small sizes, these ingredients will make several bottles which means a lot when you shave often.

Starting with the ingredients. You will need the following:

• Dr. Bronners 18-in-1 Hemp Baby Unscented Pure Castile Soap (we purchased the 16oz variety and it lasts forever!)
• Distilled Water (you can use regular water, but distilled is the best for purity)
• ½ Dr. Teals Ultra Moisturizing Bath Bomb (we chose Lavender scent)
• Lavender Essential Oil (optional)

Starting with a RAIL19 Glass Foaming Soap Dispenser (in any size) you will fill it ¼ full with Dr. Bronners 18-in-1 Hemp Baby Unscented Pure Castile Soap. Then fill another ¼ with your distilled water. Now for the magic ingredient! We crushed our bath ball with a hammer between a paper towel. It only needs to be crushed enough to fit in the bottle as it will dissolve. Now fill the rest with distilled water and gently stir with a spoon until dissolved (shaking may cause combustion). If you still have chunks of bath bomb, don’t worry they will completely dissolve over time. Drop in a couple of drops of lavender essential oil. Add your foaming top back to your dispenser and pump a few pumps. You should have thick lathery foaming shaving cream ready for your next shave!

With ingredients like almond oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, hemp, and olive oils there is no shortage of moisture which is perfect for dry skin. If you are concerned it will make your skin oily; don’t be. We found that while it moisturizes the skin, it does not leave skin feeling oily.

Not a fan of Lavender? Opt for an unscented bath bomb and forego the essential oil. The Castile soap is unscented. You will still get the moisturizing lather and foam you want, without the scent. You may also choose another essential oil, just be sure to check its suitability for the skin.

Bath Bombs; you can get creative here. You may not want sparkles for the face, but maybe for your legs on a party night. Maybe lavender one shave and cupcakes the next shave; just be sure to do a small patch test beforehand.

Whether you're making your own shaving cream because you're frugal, or want a more natural shaving experience, or just want to be creative with your shave by using different scents (or sparkles), making your own foaming shaving cream is an easy + fun experience for all. 

How to Clean A Glass Soap Dispenser with Metal Pump - The Quick Guide

One of the best reasons to use a Soap Dispenser is because it's less expensive to buy refills than to purchase new soap in a plastic dispenser. It also looks more elegant sitting on your bathroom counter-top. However, that lovely glass soap dispenser can get dirty over time if not cleaned.

Cleaning the Glass
Cleaning a glass soap dispenser is pretty straightforward. You just need warm, soapy water to get the residue off the bottle. If your bottle is decorative and includes ridges or other hard to reach areas, you can use a small brush to fit in those tiny spaces. Make sure it has soft bristles so that you don't scratch the glass. If your glass is lead free, simply pop it in the dishwasher for a quick sanitizing wash. Just be sure to empty all of the contents beforehand.

A mild dish-washing soap will also work fine with the glass. Just be sure to rinse it thoroughly so that it doesn't leave soap buildup and a filmy residue on your bottle. Shake water from the inside, dry the outside with a hand towel or paper towel to prevent water spots from forming and air dry on a rack. 

Cleaning a Metal Soap or Lotion Pump
Your soap dispenser may come with several options for the metal pump. Stainless steel, copper and chrome are popular choices. Regardless of the type of metal on your soap dispenser, it will require occasional cleaning.

To reduce the chances for clogs and pump failure, use a higher-quality soap that isn't as concentrated. A soap with low pH levels is more acidic and can cause the metal parts to be corroded over time. It also damages the rubber and plastic portions of the dispenser. Make sure you are diluting any soap that you buy concentrated or it is more likely to clog the pump. 

To clean the pump, simply flush your pump with warm water and a bit of vinegar. For stubborn clogs, use a bit more vinegar ; a toothpick may come in handy. Allow it to dry thoroughly before adding soap to the dispenser. It is recommended to flush your pump with warm water once a month ; or each fill up. 

You will extend the life of your pump by maintaining and cleaning your soap pump as recommended. You may find out RAIL19 FAQ + Care Instructions helpful in additional How-to guidance in cleaning your pump. 

Spraying your bed linens with a spray when you put them in the closet can keep them from smelling musty when you change bed sheets for you and your family’s bedrooms or for guests. Using a spray when you put them on the bed can even help you sleep better at night. You can create your own bed linen spray which contains only safe and natural ingredients for a custom and easy-to-make bed linen spray.

What You'll Need

• Glass Spray Bottle with a setting for fine mist (plastic mist bottles tend to leach and are hard to sterilize) 
• Distilled water
• High-proof alcohol such as vodka
• Essential oils

Select any one essential oil or a combination ; but because this is a bed linen spray, consider essential oils that are designed to help you relax so you can sleep better. Lavender, sage or mandarin essential oils are popular choices. Chamomile helps you relax while sandalwood and jasmine create a more sensual atmosphere. Have fun with these oils and try out different variations by combining them.

Bed Linen Spray 

Prep time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 30-40 drops of essential oils
• 2.5 fl. Oz. distilled water
• 2.5 fl. Oz. high-proof alcohol

Directions:

1. Fill glass spray bottle with water and alcohol 

2. Add in essential oils.

3. Shake well before using.

Use essential oils that are light in color so they don’t stain your bed linens. You may want to begin with a lower amount of oils, such as 20 drops. Some fragrances are stronger than others. Let the spray sit for a day because it can weaken and not be as strong as the initial smell. It is recommended to test your DIY linen spray on a scrap piece of fabric and allowing to sit for 24-48 hours before spraying on your linens ; not only for scent preferences but also staining.

Other notes : Avoid getting the spray onto other surfaces such as the wood in your bedframe or on upholstery. Don’t spray it on your body or anything other than the bed linens. You may want to try a pillowcase before putting it on your entire bed to ensure you aren’t allergic to the smell or that you don’t find the fragrance disagreeable. 

Storing your own homemade fruit and vegetable wash in our glass spray bottles is a cleaner and more eco friendly way to store produce wash. Rail19 Glass cleaner spray bottles are utilized for a variety of uses, including storing fruit and vegetable washes; a simple and convenient way to spray produce with glass storage that does not leach and can be easily disinfected.; a great alternative to plastic bottles.

Many of us want to en

sure that the healthy fruits and vegetables that we are eating are free from dirt and germs. With popular produce washes hitting the marketplace, you may have already found your favorite. For those who prefer to save money by making their own from home, we've put together a simple and inexpensive fruit and vegetable wash recipe.

Making your own vegetable and fruit wash can be as simple and as inexpensive as using plain white vinegar. 

Fruit + Vegetable Wash Recipe

• Place Fruits + Vegetables in a large clean glass bowl (or sterilized sink) filled with 1 cup of white vinegar and filling the rest with water. 
• Soak up to 45 minutes
• Scrub gently to remove remaining residue and rinse
• Let dry / Pat dry and store

Fruit + Vegetable Spray Recipe

• SLOWLY pour and mix 1 Cup White Vinegar + 1 Cup Water + 1 Tablespoon of Baking Soda in a very deep pitcher. Funnel or pour into a glass spray bottle.
• Gently spray on fruits and vegetables and let sit for 5 or 10 minutes before gently scrubbing and rinsing.

Decorating for Halloween is a treat. Setting out scary pumpkins on the porch and decorating the table with a ghoulish theme is all part of the holiday fun. Family + guests love the fun decor ; especially at that upcoming Halloween party. To keep your kitchen sink and bathroom sink Halloween ready, we have created this fun and easy Halloween Soap Dispenser DIY. 

Here's what you'll need :

• RAIL19 Glass Soap Dispensers 
• Avery 8 1/2" x 11" Glossy Clear Sticker Project Paper (4397) - ( or any brand Transparent Full Sheet Sticker Paper)
• Scissors (if you prefer a perfection, you'll need an Xacto knife) 
• Clear Sealer (to water proof)
• Laser | Inkjet Printer

Start by selecting the size glass soap dispenser you wish to use. If you are making several dispensers at varying sizes, be sure to scale your design to fit your dispenser. 

Next choose your design. We chose graphic elements and arranged them together to design our own, and also used some pre-made designs that were editable. You can find free graphics at Graphics Fairy and other free graphic websites, or you may choose to use low cost graphics at website like creative market. If you are more experienced with graphics, you can use software like Photoshop or you can simply use the Avery website to create your own using their free graphics. 

Once you have chosen your design , simply visit Avery Design + Print Area to load or make your design. We recommend printing a test print on regular paper to be sure your design is the size you want. We were able to place 3 designs on 1 sheet of the 8 1/2 x 11" sticky paper - we could have fit 1-2 more. 

After you have printed your designs, you will then spray them with clear sealer. Before cutting your designs, spray your sheet with a clear sealer that is made to seal from moisture. This is a very important step since your dispenser will be in a moist area and in contact with soap/water. Be sure to do this outside and allow at-least 1 hour of drying time. We used a matte sealer, if you prefer a more see-through look, we highly recommend a sealer that is clear and glossy.

Once dry, cut around your design using scissors. As mentioned above, if you prefer a perfect cut, an Xacto knife would work best.

Simply peel the back of the sticker, and carefully stick it to your soap dispenser. *If you do not place it on perfectly, no worries, you have about 2-3 tries before the edges begin to curl. 

We made a few fun designs for inspiration. These are fun for the Halloween season, or if you are feeling creative, try out a few designs for different holidays, occasions, seasons, or even monograms. 

Savon Glass Soap Dispenser

Vintage Inspired Glass Soap Dispenser

Reviving a timeworn bathroom doesn’t require a total overhaul and refreshing the overall look can start with something as small as adding new fixtures to large projects such as tiling and wallpapering. If you are looking for an affordable way to bring some life back into your bathroom, just consider these bathroom elements.

Soap Dispensers

Updating your bathroom dispensers is painless and very inexpensive! Rail19 offers a variety of handmade, sustainable, vintage styles and colors guaranteed to give your bathroom a fresh new flair.

Paint

A fresh layer of paint is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to make a large difference in your bathroom’s appearance. When selecting a color, avoid dark shades as they can make a room look smaller and may feel claustrophobic. Light yellow, blue or white work very well.

Accents

A dramatic mirror, towel rack, or light fixture can really spruce things up. These things are also easy to install and can pull together bathroom accessories with ease.

Storage

Eliminate the clutter in your bathroom by adding additional storage or even adding pullout shelves to your existing cabinets. Thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets are a great place to find pieces to up-cycle. 

Treat the special man in your life to a homemade cologne spray this Father’s Day! To get started, you’ll need a few key ingredients and supplies. A mist bottle, such as this one, is the first item on your list. Second, you’ll need to gather a few essentials oils. Depending on your preference, you can use a few different blends to create the perfect scent. Our favorite blend consists of cypress, marjoram, tea tree and wintergreen. Next, you’ll need to find your base. Witch hazel and vegetable glycerin are popular choices as they help the cologne stick and last longer. Combine all of the ingredients in the spray bottle & voila! Your man will be ready to take on the world, smelling great!

FULL COLOGNE RECIPE

Ingredients:

2 ounce Witch Hazel

3 ounces Vegetable Glycerin

16 drops Cypress essential oil

16 drops Marjoram essential oil

8 drops Tea Tree essential oil

2 drops Wintergreen essential oil

Combine all ingredients in a clean mist bottle. Store in a cool, dark place.

Soap Dispensers are often thought to only adorn bathroom sinks, but with new farmhouse sinks and butcher block countertops, a plastic bottle of soap may not be the best finishing touch. Glass soap dispensers can enhance the look of a kitchen sink. 

Keep things lovely, by choosing a coordinating pump. Stainless pumps for stainless hardware, copper pumps for copper hardware, chrome with chrome etc. Coordinate soap colors to your kitchen and kitchen decor and color. For instance, if your kitchen is light blue, consider a dark blue soap. 

To keep things tidy, use one soap dispenser for dish soap and one for liquid hand soap. Because kitchen dish soap can be more concentrated, it is not ideal for hand washing due to waste. If you use a thinner dish soap, consider using your other dispenser for lotion ; as hands can dry from washing dishes. Rail19 offers a variety of Soap Dispenser Sets that offer a stand for organization. 

Kitchen sink soap dispensers are a great addition for looks and functionality. If you watch Fixer Upper, you may have noticed that Joanne Gaines adds them to every kitchen renovation - because they look good. 

Browse our selection of soap dispensers for the kitchen at http://www.rail19.com/soap-dispensers/

You can feel good about what you use on your skin when you know what ingredients are in those products. A natural body wash will not only clean your body, but it will moisturize and hydrate your skin. Many homemade recipes are even good for sensitive skin.

Supplies

Honey, the secret ingredient to keep your skin healthy and smooth

Liquid castile soap, provides the suds for cleansing without using chemicals; choose unscented if you want to add your own essential oils

Oil, provides the moisturizing properties; choose any oil you like, but jojoba and grapeseed are two good options

Essential oils, if you use unscented castile liquid soap

You can also add vitamin E oil to provide further moisture, especially if you are prone to dry skin. You can choose to add it only in the winter when the change in humidity and temperature dries out skin.

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup liquid castile soap
• ¼ cup of raw honey
• 2 teaspoons oil – olive jojoba or other types
• 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil if desired
• 50-60 drops of essential oils, if desired

Instructions

1. Measure out all ingredients.

2. Combine ingredients in a soap dispenser or dispenser with pump

3. Shake mixture until well-blended. You may need to give it a swirl before each use.

This recipe can last as long as one year before it must be replaced.

Consider your skin when choosing essential oils and what scents you like. For a relaxing shower or bath, you may want lavender or chamomile. To refresh you and start your day off right, try peppermint. You can also combine oils to create your own unique scent. If you choose to make body wash for a baby or young child, you can skip the oils completely. Certain oils provide benefits for your skin, and when added, they can replace other products. For example, chamomile is known to help acne and dermatitis. Add sandalwood for dry or chapped skin.

Safety Note : Always patch test for allergies when using ingredients you have not used before on your skin. Please also use caution and your best judgement when using glass soap dispensers or glass containers in or around the shower or bath.

Dealing with fleas and ticks on your pets can be a challenge. If they have sensitive skin or you have allergies to certain products, the problem can seem insurmountable. However, natural products you make yourself can provide relief for your pet while being safe for you and your family.

Supplies

• Glass Spray Bottle
• Water
• Apple cider vinegar
• Lemon oil or garlic oil
• Lemon juice

You can make your own lemon oil by heating one cup of olive oil and the rinds from two lemons in a sauce pan for twenty minutes. Lemon is known to repel many pests, including mosquitoes, which will keep your pets safe if they spend time outside.

Lemon Pet Spray Insect Repellent

Prep time: 10 minutes

Total time: 10-30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup of water
• 2 cups of apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbs. of lemon oil or garlic oil
• 2 tbs. of lemon juice

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle.

2. Shake well.

3. Spray on your pet's fur, being sure to get close to the skin.

This is an effective way of protecting your pet regardless of how sensitive they are. They will also smell good with the lemon aroma, which is always a side benefit. 

Please note : Lemon, vinegar and garlic may burn pet's eyes, please avoid spraying their eyes by covering their eyes while spraying. Pets can also have sensitive skin and allergies, please patch test your pet before doing an all over spray and/or check with your veterinarian about your pet's specific needs. 

Foaming soap is ideal for anyone who likes a lot of lather when they wash their hands. And because it comes out of a bottle, it can be more sanitary than sharing a bar of soap ; its especially more sanitary if the soap dispenser is glass. Making your own natural foam soap ensures no chemicals are included because you are selecting your ingredients.

The recipe below is simple and fast for even a beginner. It’s non-toxic, which is ideal for anyone with kids. Because it’s biodegradable, it’s eco-friendly and you won’t have to worry about the effect it has on the environment.

What you will need : 

1/3 cup liquid Castile soap, unscented (you can find this in natural stores or make your own)

2/3 cup distilled or filtered water

1/8 tsp any essential oil

8 oz. Glass Foam Soap Dispenser

Select any scent of essential oil based on personal preferences, but don’t be afraid to experiment. You can also add olive oil to moisturize your skin. All you need is about one-half a teaspoon. Another option is to add one capsule of Vitamin E, which will help soften your hands, which is especially important in the winter to prevent chapping.

Natural Foaming Soap

Prep time: 5 minutes

Total time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

1/3 cup unscented liquid Castile soap (you can make your own or buy some at organic store stores)

2/3 cup water, filtered or buy distilled

1/8 tsp. essential oil (adjust to fit your preferences, but lavender and peppermint are popular choices)

Instructions

1. Pour the Castile soap in the Glass Foam Soap Dispenser along with the essential oil and stir until they are mixed thoroughly.

2. Fill the jar to the top with water.

3. Tighten the lid and the soap is ready for use. 

Simple Instructions - You may also opt for the simplest of all recipes which is 5 parts water + 1 part soap of your choice.

Safety Note : Always patch test for allergies when using ingredients you have not used before on your skin. Please read all instructions and caution notices for any and all essential oils you are considering with this and any DIY recipe.

Rustic Style Soap Dispensers

Soap dispensers do more than just dispense soap. They add a decorative touch to your bathroom or kitchen. You can find many different styles to fit your personality and design theme. If you like the look of traditional elements or a country feel, a rustic style soap dispenser may be the perfect choice.

What is Rustic?
Rustic is simple and plain in an elegant way. It features a country style design without a lot of decorative elements. It also uses simple materials. This does not mean that rustic is boring. In fact, it is quite popular in many modern homes, because it adds warmth to a space.
A home with a rustic style will use many natural elements such as wood floors and even wooden beams in the ceiling. Handmade items have a particular appeal.

Rustic Soap Dispensers
You don't need a rustic design to use this type of soap dispenser. In fact, a few rustic pieces such as the dispenser can make a lovely contrast in a modern home with an urban or industrial design.

Thesesoap dispensers often have simple lines with clear glass. They are rounded to imitate a glass jar that would have been used to store soap in the past. The pump may be made of copper or have a bronze color rather than silver.

If you want to warm a cool space with rustic soap dispensers and other items, consider creating an area that includes the dispenser, other glass jars filled with bath salts and beauty supplies and place them on a tray.

These rustic accessories can be part of a bathroom with the same design element. If this is the case, make sure your soap pump is the same color as the fixture hardware for a cohesive look. You can also find a rustic dispenser in a white ceramic design to match your sink and tub.

When looking for a soap dispenser that you would consider rustic, remember to avoid any unnecessary frills like etched glass or ornate pumps. Lines should be kept simple and use either clear glass or white ceramic.

Enjoy a touch of tradition in your home that is contemporary in its own way with these rustic soap dispensers. The simplicity is a design element that never goes out of style. 

Best Store Bought Natural Liquid Hand Soaps

Natural store bought liquid soaps come in a wide variety of scents and styles. The best ones help you get clean without drying you out or irritating your skin. Here is a look at some brands that are considered to be the best.

Hugo Naturals

This company makes liquid hand soap that is free of chemicals and includes softening and exfoliating ingredients with the Shea Butter and Oatmeal. French Lavender has a light fragrance that is calming. Spearmint is ideal for early morning use to wake you up.

Jason

Jason is a brand that offers a variety of scents to soothe and revitalize you. Enjoy fragrances such as apricot, lavender and tea tree. This is a company that has been around since the 1950's and has a large selection of soaps for every preference.

The chamomile hand soap includes Vitamin E and B5 to nourish your skin and provide relief for chapped and dry skin. It also helps relax you with this soothing fragrance.

Nature's Gate

Enjoy special hand soaps designed to moisturize or purify and in a range of fragrances such as sage and lemongrass. For instance the oatmeal hand soap contains marshmallow and yarrow to refresh hands as well as get them clean.

The herbal blend or tea tree and blue cypress hand soap leaves your hands feeling smooth and silky soft every time you use it. This is ideal for people who have to wash their hands often.

Puracy

Puracy is a well-loved brand of soaps that are not toxic and are made from biodegradable ingredients. It does not contain any harsh chemicals and is hypoallergenic. It doesn't leave any residue either, so that all you feel is clean. It is gentle for children's hands and won't even hurt your pets.

Mrs. Meyers

This is another name you may recognize for the natural products. The hand soap softens your hands with the aloe vera gel, olive oil and other ingredients. It doesn't dry out your hands even if you wash them often. Choose from a large variety of fragrances, such as basil, honeysuckle, apple, parsley and rhubarb. It also comes in an affordable price.

When choosing a hand soap and you are looking for something natural, you may want to view the ingredients and research those ingredients with unrecognizable names. Natural soap manufacturers offer a range of fragrances and features. Whether you like a fresh fragrance or a soothing smell, going natural is easy with so many choices available.

Have a favorite natural liquid soap not listed above? Let us know which natural soap is your favorite down below in our comments area.

Shop Rail19 Glass Soap Dispensers for Liquid Soap >

Megan from Ohio sent us this great photo of her Rail19 Soap Dispensers. Thanks Megan! Have a photo you'd like to share? Please send us your photos at info@rail19.com.

Featured products 

Shop French Vessel Glass Soap Dispensers  >

Shop Recycled Glass Soap Dispensers>

Bath Salts sooth the skin and make a warm bath relaxing and aromatic. Epsom salts are said to be very beneficial in that they assist with aching muscles, eliminate toxins in the body, and helps muscles and nerves function properly. 

Adding something as simple as dried lavender, dried rose pedals or both can add a inviting element to your everyday bath. The recipe is quite easy and can be modified to accommodate any mood. Bath Salts with lavender is one of our favorites and looks great as a display in the bath.

Lavender Bath Salt Recipe 

What you'll need : 

• Dried Lavender Flowers / Buds (preferably organic) 
• Unscented Epsom Salts
• Glass Storage Jar (preferably with a lid)

Simply fill your glass storage jar or bottle with 75% Epsom and 25% Dried Lavender Flowers. If you do not have a handy funnel, you can simply fold up a piece of paper into a paper funnel to help prevent spilling. Seal the lid and shake. Tip - The longer your salts + lavender store the stronger your scent will be. 

Many recipes call for lavender essential oils for a stronger scent, but this recipe is very aromatic all on its own (especially over time). 

Avoid use unless discussed with your physician. This information is for educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. 

How To Update Your Bath With Glass Soap Dispensers

Rising costs sometimes make it difficult to do the full scale remodel of your home's master bath you've always wanted. However, it is easy and economical to freshen up the decor in your bathroom with a fresh coat of paint, fresh decor accents, or new bulb shades for sconces or other light fixtures.

Choosing Colors

How is your master bath set up? Does it have its own door, or just an open doorway? Is it a large or a small space? Is it a full bathroom or a half bath? Asking these questions can help you narrow down color choices.

For instance, if your bath was constructed with an open door frame, the color you choose for it will need to coordinate with the colors used in your bedroom, since they'll frequently be viewed together. If space is limited, you may also want to hang a curtain over the door frame for privacy.

It's important to keep in mind that color can create illusions, too. A larger room can be made more intimate with a few well-placed lights and dark shades on the wall. A small room opens up and becomes more airy with the use of lighter hues. Accessories like glass soap dispensers come in a wide array of colors, shapes, and styles that will suit your chosen mood and tone.

Accessorizing

Bulb shades for sconces and other light fixtures can be dated, particularly if they're original to the home. Unless they have some rustic charm of their own, it's inexpensive to buy replacements that look more modern at your local hardware store. Tie the room together by echoing the look of your bulb shades in other glass bath accessories. If your shades are frosted, use frosted glass. If they're sculpted, coordinate the look with sculpted glass soap dispensers.

If you're looking for eco friendly ways to accessorize, try upcycling. It's easy to make your own recycled glass soap dispensers. Just clean vintage jars or bottles thoroughly, then add hardware to create unique soap dispensers with metal pumps. You can go rustic with bronzed or brushed finishes for the metal and old mason jars, or use bright chrome finishes and frosted or etched bottles or thin vases to make your soap dispensers.

If do-it-yourself projects aren't your thing, try looking on sites with a handmade focus, like Etsy. Nearly every aesthetic is represented. Try searching for "recycled glass soap dispensers" for ready-made soap dispensers with a vintage twist, or "soap dispensers with metal pump" if you're looking for ideas to try. The latter search term can also help you find parts you can use to refurbish your favorite soap dispenser.

Your Updated Bath

Don't stop at soap dispensers. You can use other glass bath accessories to help freshen your bathroom's look as well. Glass Soap Dishes, toothbrush holders and tumblers in glass can impart a relaxing, spa-like vibe to your master bath. And best of all, it's fast, easy and economical - an absolute bonus for those on a budget.

Olive oil is good for your health, and it also happens to be good for your skin as well. When you use an oil-based soap, you help hydrate and moisturize your skin, which will help you feel and look better. Making your own soap ensures you know all of the ingredients that go into the product. Here is a recipe that is easy to follow for your own olive oil soap.

Supplies Needed

• 47 oz. olive oil
• 32.9 oz. water
• 9.39 oz. potassium hydroxide (evaporates during the saponification process to make it a natural soap)
• 80 oz. more of distilled water for dilution
• At least 1.5 oz. of essential oil or fragrance, up to 2.2 oz. if you prefer a stronger fragrance.
• Slow cooker used only for making soap
• Scale for measuring amounts
• Stick blender
• Bowls and spoons
• Gloves and goggles for safety
• Measure everything and have all items ready beforehand, so you aren’t delayed when it’s time to move to the next step.

Olive Oil Soap

Ingredients

• 47 oz. olive oil
• 32.9 oz. water
• 9.39 oz. potassium hydroxide (evaporates during the saponification process to make it a natural soap)
• 80 oz. more of distilled water for dilution
• At least 1.5 oz. of essential oil or fragrance, up to 2.2 oz.

Instructions

1. Weigh all of the oils to ensure accuracy.

2. Pour olive oil into the crock pot and allow it to heat up.

3. Pour 32.9 oz. of distilled water in a stainless steel bowl. Pour the hydrogen peroxide into the water slowly, wearing goggles and gloves.

4. Slowly pour the water mixture into the slow cooker and stir.

5. Stir with the blender. In about 1 ½ hours, the mixture should be thick and tracing the path of your blender. Let it set and stir about every 20 minutes.

6. You will need to switch from the blender to a heat-safe spoon and continue to stir regularly for about two hours.

7. To test, pour hot water in a clear glass cup and a bit of the soap. You should be able to see the bottom of the cup if it’s ready.

8. Put the soap mixture into the stainless steel pot and add the rest of the distilled water. Let set overnight.

Let it cure for about one month before using. This ensures all of the lye has evaporated and is a natural product. Please note : use caution and your best judgement when using soap making ingredients. Please test for any allergic reactions before using this or any other DIY recipe intended for external/internal use. 

Handmade Natural Face Wash Recipe

Naturally, natural and clean is ideal when selecting a facial wash. You don't want to put a lot of chemicals on your face, especially when you are cleansing it to get rid of makeup along with dirt. A homemade face wash with all natural ingredients works best and can be great for your skin. Here is one chamomile face wash recipe that is great for a soft facial wash, even for those with sensitive skin.

Chamomile Face Wash

Use ¼ cup of liquid Castile soap and ¼ cup of chamomile tea brewed. Combine with ¾ teaspoon of either olive oil or avocado. Other options to replace this ingredient include hazelnut, grape-seed or sweet almond. Add 8 drops of some essential oil and several drops of Vitamin E for soft skin.

Once all of these items are combined and mixed well, pour the mixture into a pump bottle or soap dispenser. Pump a few drops into your hands and gently wash your face as you normally would, avoiding eye contact.

For dry skin, you can use lavender or chamomile essential oils. Oily skin benefits from tea rose and lemongrass. If you are older, you might want to consider lavender or jasmine to stimulate new skin cells.

If you don't want to use chamomile tea, you can use rose water or even distilled water. Another variation is to look for scented Castile soaps and leave out the essential oils for this recipe.

A side benefit of this facial cleanser is that it works as a makeup remover. Dilute it even more and use it in the shower as a body wash. Put the cleanser in the refrigerator to help it last longer. By adding some Vitamin E drops, you can get it to last even longer since the vitamin is a natural preservative.

Many natural ingredients make good facial cleansers, such as honey, oil and yogurt. However, not all of them can be stored in a soap dispenser without clogging the pump. Look for one with a thin consistency if you want to use the pump for application. It helps reduce mess and ensures that you get only the amount you need.

Staying away from all of those chemicals in packaged facial cleansers and make your own with natural ingredients may be the best choice for you. The process is much easier than you think, and your skin will thank you for it. Just be sure to test it in a small area to make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients in this recipe or any other recipe you may decide to create. Enjoy the benefits of all natural beauty and skin care products. 

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is which of our soap dispensers pair best. And although personal preference and style is the simple answer ; we've put together some helpful tips to help you decide which soap dispenser pair best fits your needs.

Rail19 soap dispensers vary between clear glass, recycled clear glass, green tinted glass, blue glass, amber glass and wavy or textured glass. Some customers prefer identical pairings while others prefer a more varying style. Either style is attractive and complimentary, but deciding which you prefer is the most helpful when making your selection. 

All of our soap dispensers look great in identical pairs. Some things to consider when deciding would be : 

What will the contents be? Lotion, hand sanitizer, dish washing soap, liquid hand soap, foaming soap?

If you (and guests) need to determine what is inside your dispenser; a clear glass, rather than green tint, blue, amber or textured may be your best choice, or pairing one colorful or textured soap dispenser with a clear soap dispenser would make the options clear. 

Will the contents be colorful? 

Think about what color your lotion, soap or other contents will be to help determine which color or style best fits your needs.We suggest clear soaps for colorful dispensers, green tint and textured soap dispensers, while colorful soaps look fantastic in our clear soap dispensers and can even be changed with your mood or bath or kitchen pallet. 

Soap Dispenser Sizes

Dimension in design is essential. Rail19 soap dispensers are available in an array of sizes and shapes and mixing and matching these can add interest to any sink or counter. Tall and lean with short and round, or a smaller and larger version of the same style can look great as well.  Our Small Recycled Glass Clear Soap Dispenser and our Recycled Glass Clear Soap Dispenser are great example of this. 

Pairing Metal Pumps

A great way to add interest to your soap dispenser pair is to display two styles of pumps with the same soap dispenser. Whether you choose to use the same finish (stainless, copper, chrome) with a different style ( rustic, modern, or foam) or vise versa, it will add style and can help identify your contents as well. 

Pairing Soap Dispensers with Spray Bottles and Glass Bath Storage

Mixing and Matching here is also okay. Same rule of thumb applies here as well. Simply take care to nice tints, textures and coordinating qualities that fit your needs. 

Imperfection can draw interest and coordinating perfectly can bring cohesion and organization. If you are having a hard time deciding on which direction to go, just remember that with a switch of soap, lotion, or pump, you can refresh the look easily to suit your needs. 

Summer Hair and Skin Care Ideas Using Glass Spray Bottles

Caring for your hair and skin all summer is easy if you have the right tools. You don't want to spend a lot of time on your beauty routine, but you don't want the heat and humidity to ruin your looks. Here are a few tips to help you look gorgeous during those warm summer months.

Hair Care

Tame wild curls with a mixture of water and your favorite conditioner. Just put it in a spray bottle and spritz on whenever you need to control frizz. Another combination that you will want to keep on hand is water mixed with aloe vera juice and avocado oil or use argan oil with water. These spritzes provide moisture when needed.

Rinse your hair after you swim, especially in a chlorine-filled pool. If you don't have a shower that you can use, fill a spray bottle with water. Add a little talcum powder to give your hair lift if it tends to be oily.

Skin Care

Caring for your skin in the summer is essential, but you don't want to use a lot of heavy products. You also don't want to spend a lot of time on your routine or pack extra bags for your beauty supplies when you are on vacation. Follow these tips to make your summer skin care easy:

Caring for your hair and skin all summer is easier when you have the right tools on hand. Purchase a few spray bottles and soap dispensers to store your products and keep them with you. That way you will always look your best no matter what summer activity you get involved in. 

Shop Glass Spray Bottles >

Many of you who try to use only natural cleaners for your home and want to avoid plastic, love the look and cleanliness of a glass spray bottle and the convenience of a spray nozzle. Simply fill with your favorite homemade cleaner, and save money by refilling when you're ready to use again. 

Rail19 glass spray bottles are the perfect storage for natural cleaners. Check out this quick, simple and cheap natural cleaner recipe for glass and laminate.

Homemade Recipe for Natural Cleaner

For Laminate & Glass
Mix equal of
* Vinegar
* Rubbing Alcohol
* Water
& 2-3 drops of liquid soap

Have you ever wanted to see a Rail19 glass soap dispensers in action? Dwell Studio featured Interior Designer Jacqueline Schmidt's beautiful home in Brooklyn which showcased one of our soap dispensers.

One of our most popular glass soap dispensers, the Recycled Glass Clear Soap Dispenser with Rustic Stainless Metal Pump, is featured sink side coordinating perfectly with this modern style sink. Throughout the home, from the counter-tops and simple yet elegant decor, this downsized kitchen makes a big statement.

Click here to Read the entire Article 

Shop Rail19 Glass Soap Dispensers >

Photos by Mathew Williams 

What are the Different Types of Liquid Soap Dispensers?

At one time, the only option for soap was in a bar. Now, liquid soap makes it easier and more convenient for people to wash their hands. Today, there are several styles of soap dispensers available to store liquid soap.

Simple Glass Soap Dispensers
First, there is the Classic Soap Dispenser (or plastic) that is a bottle filled with liquid. It comes with a pump to dispense the liquid. These bottles are simple to refill and easy to use. They are ideal for anywhere around the house, including the bath, kitchen or grill side - and can even be managed by kids.

These bottles come in clear bottles or may have colors and designs on them. They can coordinate with other bathroom items such as toothbrush holder, trash cans and other accessories. They also make ideal gifts for a housewarming or wedding.

Battery Dispensers
Battery-operated dispensers feature a sensor that releases a specified amount of soap. This helps prevent waste and ensure that the person gets enough soap to do the job. Fancier models even come with a timer and light to tell you how long to wash your hands to remove the germs. These battery-operated models can be placed on a counter-top or attached to the wall. Just place it where everyone can reach it. They are ideal for those who do not wish to pump, but can be more maintenance because of the battery replacement and the extra steps in refilling.

Shower Dispensers
Shower dispensers often do double-duty. They hold two liquids – one is a soap and the other is shampoo. Press the lever for the one you need, and it will dispense the proper amount. They either attach to the shower wall or the shower door, and it is within easy reach. It also cuts down on the clutter of bottles kept in the shower. You can even install a second dispenser for the shower that would hold two other shampoos to provide easy access for the entire family.

Soap dispensers come in a variety of styles, sizes and designs. Choose one or more and place them where they work best for your home. They offer convenience and cost savings and are a practical addition to your bathroom and kitchen. 

DIY Handmade Liquid Soap Recipe

If you love using a liquid soap but don't like the chemicals an additives that often come with store-bought varieties, make your own. Handmade liquid soap is easy to make and you can customize it to fit your preferences for fragrance. Create and fill and refill your glass soap dispenser.

The Basic Recipe

You can create literally dozens of soaps on your own with special fragrances. However, you want to begin with a basic recipe that is simple and easy.

If you want an easy recipe that doesn't take long, begin with a bar of soap. Grate it up into tiny pieces. It should be about four ounces. Boil four cups of water, and then turn off the heat. Add the soap and stir until melted. Allow it to cool for at least 15 minutes. It should be a little thicker, but still manageable.

Allow the soap to cool overnight and add more water or soap to reach the correct consistency. After that, it is time to add essential oils and any coloring that you want to use. Once you are satisfied with the final product, you can pour it into your glass soap dispensers and begin using.

Starting from Scratch

If you want to make your liquid soap from scratch, you will need more ingredients.

Heat the following oils in a crock pot:

Cook the mixture about six hours on low. Stir it about every 30 minutes. Once the paste can be diluted with water and run clear, you are done. As long as it is milky, it must continue cooking.

Weigh the paste to make sure you have about one pound. If so, add 33 ounces of distilled water to the paste. It will continue cooking now until the paste is dissolved in the water. Then, it is time to add fragrance and color. Use essential oils and natural food coloring. After this is finished, you are ready to store your liquid soap away. Place the extra in seal-able jars so that it keeps until you are ready to use it.

Please use common sense and caution when using the stove and please be sure to test ingredients in a small area to make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients in this recipe or any other recipe you may decide to create.

Glass Spray Bottles: How to Organize Your Cleaning Supplies

Organizing your cleaning supplies makes it easier to know what you have and what needs to be replaced. It also helps when you have a different cleaning job to know what might do the trick. Spray bottles are ideal for many cleaning jobs and liquid cleaners.

Cleaners for the Bathroom

Every bathroom needs to have a mold and mildew cleaner. A spray bottle is ideal for hitting those grout lines. Put some cleaner in a bottle and hang it in the shower. Every time you finish your shower, you can spray down the walls. Come back later and wipe it down for fast and easy cleanup.

A window spray cleaner also works well for bathroom mirrors and faucets. Use a spray bottle to hold your cleaner for counter-tops and sinks. It only takes a minute to spray and wipe clean.

Cleaners for the Kitchen

Spills on the floor are inevitable in any room but especially in the kitchen where you prepare meals. A spray cleaner makes cleanup easier. Put a mixture of floor cleaner and water in a spray bottle and use it anytime you need a quick cleanup for a mess.

Since the bathroom and kitchen are very similar with tile or vinyl floors and counter-tops, you can save money by purchasing large quantities of eco friendly cleaners. Pour them into smaller spray bottles and store them under the sinks. When you need to clean up a mess or do your weekly routine, you can just grab a bottle. Save even more money making your own homemade natural cleaners using simple ingredients from around the house.

Plastic or Glass?

Is plastic or glass is better for cleaning solutions? Plastic is shatterproof in most cases if you are worried about dropping the containers. However, some cleaning supplies are not supposed to be put in plastic bottles for safety reasons. Plastic has a tendency to absorb chemicals, which can make it dangerous to use. It is never wise to reuse a plastic bottle with a more than one kind of cleaner. Chemicals could potentially interact with what was in the bottle previously - making glass spray bottles more ideal.

Glass Spray Bottle Labels

Make sure you label your glass bottles with the type of cleaner you are using. You may even want to list the ingredients or recipe, especially if you are using homemade cleaners. You can create a label that lists what is inside and how much to use. Don't forget to include any warnings or first aid advice on the bottle.

Spray bottles can make keeping your cleaning agents organized. They help you save money because you can buy large quantities and separate them into smaller ones to put in various areas. It also helps save time by keeping your cleaning supplies right where you use them. Spray bottles are just one easy way to keep your home more organized and efficient.

Shop Rail19 Glass Spray Bottles >>

Glass Spray Bottles versus Plastic Spray Bottles

When deciding on whether you should buy plastic or glass spray bottles, keep a few factors in mind. You want to think about which product is the safest to use, which one will have less of an impact on the environment and which one is best suited for your budget. 

SafetyThe most important consideration should be how it will impact you and your family. Plastic is often made of substances that may be harmful. These chemicals can absorb into the product being stored in them. One well-known culprit is BPA. Many companies now make BPA-free plastics, but other substances may also be unsafe.

You do not have this problem with glass. It is considered to be safe for use with almost any kind of product. It also does not absorb the ingredients in the product, so when it is washed out / sanitized , it is much more sanitary than plastic.

Environment
Both plastic and glass can be recycled to some extent. However, glass has a longer life span, which means that it won't have to be replaced as often. Plastic containers do not last as long, and they take many years to break down. Look in any landfill and you will see plastic containers from decades ago.

While recycling is better than leaving empty containers in landfills, it is not without impact. The cost in money and environmental impact for recycling must also be considered. When you use an item that has a longer life span, you do not have as much cost as with an item that must be recycled after a single use.

Cost
Besides the cost to the environment, you want to consider the cost to your budget when choosing between plastic and glass spray bottles. Glass is more expensive to manufacture, which means it costs more when you buy it in the store.

One of the reasons that many manufacturers switch to plastic is because it is less expensive to create. They can pass the savings onto the consumers.

On the other hand, you want to think about long-term costs and not just immediate pricing. If a glass bottle lasts three or four times as long as a plastic container, you have to multiply the price of plastic by three or four to get the true cost of your purchase. People often only think about the current expense instead of looking at the bottom line. When you look at it this way, you see that glass may actually be the less expensive option after all.

Take the time to compare your options before you decide to buy either plastic or glass spray bottles. Weigh the costs to your budget, your health and the environment to choose the best one to meet your needs. Don't forget to think about how you plan to use the bottles and what products will be put inside. Spray bottles make handy containers for many uses, and are a valuable addition to your organization. 

Types of Kitchen and Bathroom Sinks

If you are doing a remodel in your kitchen or bathroom, one of the most important changes you will make is with the sink. With numerous styles available, you have to decide which one fits your décor and size of room to be functional and stylish.

Kitchen Sinks – Choosing the Material
First, consider the material for your sink. Stainless steel has been a popular option for several years. It is not as expensive as other materials and it can be installed in various ways. Choose one with a spray coating to help reduce the noise that comes with stainless steel sinks.

While this material is an economical choice, it does scratch more easily and shows water spots. It is more resistant to stains and can withstand heat better than other materials.
Cast iron is one of the oldest materials used in kitchen sinks and is durable and long-lasting. It is covered in enamel and resists scratches and dents. It is easy to clean and holds its color well. This material is more expensive than stainless steel, but will last longer.

Granite or quartz composite sinks are a modern design that is very popular. They are stain-resistant and durable. However, they are not the most inexpensive style of sink that you can buy.

Choosing a Style
Many sinks are just one bowl, which is beneficial for small spaces where counter space is limited. You can also choose a larger single basin to give you more room for cleaning pots and pans.

A double bowl is the traditional design, but many modern kitchens feature them as well. In some cases, both basins are the same size, while other times one is quite a bit smaller. The larger bowl is ideal for pots and pans while the small one works for silverware and other little or fragile items.

Farmhouse sinks feature a unique design where the front edge of the sink is part of the counter. They may be one or two basins and are often very deep to give you more space.

Choosing the Mount
A kitchen sink can be either a top mount or under-mount. What this means is that the sink is mounted either on top of the counter-top or under it. Under-mount sinks are easier to clean because debris doesn't get trapped around the edges. It is the modern option, but top mounts are easier to install. These are the considerations for kitchen sinks. You will have similar factors to think about for the bathroom sink.

Bathroom Sinks – Choosing the Material
In addition to the materials you see in kitchen sinks – metal and cast iron, you can choose from several other materials. One of the more exotic choices is wood. It is elegant and stylish but often requires special care for cleaning. It is best used in guest baths.
Concrete is another option, and it is a durable choice. Stone is a natural substance that is beautiful, but can show spots more than other materials.

Stainless steel is just one of the choices for metals in bathroom sinks. Copper is elegant and a lovely addition to any bath. Glass is a modern choice that has many options for design. One of the benefits of choosing this material is that you can make it any color that you want to fit with your décor. The downside is that it is more prone to scratches and cracks than other materials.

Solid surface is another option where the sink is part of the counter-top. Since it is all one piece, it is easier to install and can be long-lasting.

Choosing the Type of Installation
Bathroom sinks may be mounted in several ways. Each option has its own advantages, depending on your overall design. The most common method is the top mount. It is also referred to as drop-in or self rimming and it sits on top of the counter. This is the traditional option for bathroom sinks.

Under mount is another method that puts the sink under the counter and creates a smooth line that is modern and stylish. A vessel sink sits on top of the counter like a bowl, only attached. Glass is often used with this option and it is stylish and contemporary. Pedestal sinks attach to the wall and to the pedestal beneath them. They have almost no counter space and are ideal for small bathrooms were space is limited.

Wall mounted sinks are another option for small bathrooms. They do not even come with the pedestal but are supported by being mounted to the wall. It can give a small bathroom a more spacious feel, but you do not have any storage. It is the ideal choice for a guest bath or even in a utility or laundry room where you need to wash your hands but not do much else.

Choosing the right sink for your kitchen or bathroom depends on how much space you have and what style you are looking for. You also have to consider your budget and how durable the sink needs to be. It is the focal point for bathrooms and often for kitchens, so spend some time deciding on the right one.

Once you have chosen the perfect bath or kitchen sink you may want to select the perfect glass soap dispenser. Shop Rail19 for a wide selection of glass soap dispensers, recycled glass soap dispensers, glass spray bottles and more. Shop now >

Rail19 Glass Spray Cleaner Bottles are a great storage solution for a variety of uses. A popular use for our refillable and sterilizable spray bottles is for an easy DIY homemade cleaner for yoga mats. Whether you are a novice or yoga master, keeping your mat clean is a must! Here is a simple way to make your own yoga mat cleaner to help prevent odor and germs & refresh after practice.

Here is what you will need

• Glass Spray Bottle or Glass Mist Bottle
• Whether you are traveling with it or not, or opt to make larger batches will determine which size and style glass spray bottle you will need.
• Water
• Distilled or Tap
• Witch Hazel - Any kind will do, however organic witch hazel is available online

Essential Oils

Because the goal is to include antibacterial properties, you will want to opt one or more of the following; eucalyptus, tea tree, lavender, lemongrass, or peppermint. Test scents alone and together to find the best mix.

The Mix

Fill your glass spray bottle 75% full of water 20% witch hazel and 1-3 drops of essential oil affix your spray nozzle and gentle shake in a circular motion.

Cleaning your Mat

Spray Yoga Cleaning Solution covering your entire mat then wipe down with a damp cloth. Repeat on other side and hang to dry for 10 minutes or wipe again with a dry cloth. 

Are Glass Soap Dispensers Better than Plastic?

When choosing a soap dispenser for your home, you have many options for style, size and design. However, the first choice usually comes down to the two most popular material options: glass or plastic. You may wonder if there is a difference or if it really matters which kind you buy.

The Answer? Yes, and here’s why.

Cleanliness
Glass is more sanitary because it does not absorb the chemicals from the soap. Some studies show that many plastics release substances that can be harmful to the environment and to people. Even if you just want to switch soaps and use one with a different fragrance, you will find that glass does not hold the scent of previous soaps. The fragrance from one scent can mix in with another in a plastic bottle and alter the smell. Glass easily washes out, leaving it odor-free. So whether you are switching soap scents, or soap to lotion or vise versa, glass would be your cleaner option.

Good for the Environment
Glass soap dispensers are better for the environment than plastic soap dispensers. When you use plastic and throw it away, it often ends up in landfill. Glass soap dispensers are refillable, reusable and in most cases, easier to clean. Pair this with homemade or environmentally friendly soap, and /or using a soap dispenser made from recycled glass and you are doing a lot of good for the environment.

Save Money
Glass may be more expensive for the initial purchase, but it saves money in the long run. It lasts longer so you don't have to replace it as often. Purchase a metal pump instead of a plastic one for even longer-lasting results.
Another way to save money with glass dispensers is by choosing a foaming metal pump. A foaming pump takes the liquid soap mix and aerates it to turn into foam that actually uses less for cleansing.

Style
You don’t have to settle for Settling for an option like a plastic or acrylic soap dispenser. Instead, choosing a glass soap dispenser that fits in your budget and is stylish may be your best bet. It is far better to select a plain glass container than a fancy plastic one. No matter how you dress it up, it is still plastic. Glass in a simple style has a sense of elegance about it that makes it a great housewarming gift or wedding gift.

A soap dispenser is a great way to store your hand soap to save money and keep your counters clean. You will get even more benefits if you choose glass over plastic. And if you place them side by side on a counter, you will see how much nicer the glass looks. Cleanliness, Environmentally Friendly, Saving Money, and Style are really great reasons to make your selection glass.

Our glass cleaner bottles are the perfect Eco-friendly solution for natural homemade cleaners, aromatic sprays, and even body spray storage. Customers are utilizing our popular glass spray bottles for a variety uses. Spas, Salons, and eco conscience consumers are enjoying the cleaner and more Eco-friendly option of our glass spray bottles.

Its durable spray nozzle features a no-metal function and a clear glass bottle that leaves you with a fresh start whether you are switching from cleaner to cleaner or essential oil to a different essential oil.

Some of the most popular uses of our Glass Spray Bottles :

• Natural / Homemade Cleaners
• Out of the Shower Body Oil Sprays
• Home & Fabric Sprays and Spritzes
• Linen Spray
• Salon Spray Bottles for Water, Cleaner and Room Sprays
• Yoga Mat Cleaner
• Water Spray Bottle for Ironing

Shop Glass Spray Bottles >>

If you are looking for creative ways to make the most of your bathroom space you will find inspiration is everywhere. Whether you are searching on the net or have a favorite pinterest board you follow, you are sure to discover several ideas that you can mimic, or at least draw your own ideas from.

Some helpful tips :

- Whether its your budget or your space, being realistic is helpful, and a more stress-free way to accomplish your bath style goals.

- Take your time. What's the rush? Unless your bathroom is un-serviceable, there really is no rush to complete it in a day, or even a week. Half the fun is looking, searching, and finding just the right color or element.

- Coordinate + Pick a theme. Coordinating your ultimate bathroom can be as simple as creating a board on pinterest or creating an inspiration folder on your desktop; saving images of elements and themes for your bath style, or saving snips of fabrics and paint swatches in a look book. Planning your theme ahead will help you stay focused on your goal. Additionally, it could save you from making a style "oops" of your bath by helping you coordinate a meshing style or theme before the purchase.

- Start Simple - An Soap Dispenser update, a change of hand towels or bath rugs could offer you the simple change you need. 

Soap Dispensers made of can offer a beautiful element to your kitchen sink. Imagine your kitchen, gleaming counter-tops and fixtures, lovely cabinetry, and the perfect color kitchen towels to match. As you reach the sink to marvel in your accomplishment you find yourself staring at the unworthy plastic soap pump with a conspicuous label.

Adding a glass soap dispenser, whether it be clear or colorful can complete your kitchen and at a touch of sophistication. Rail19 offers soap dispensers in a variety of colors to coordinate and clear dispensers that allow any soap to look as lovely as the dispenser itself. Because Rail19 dispensers feature metal soap pumps in a variety of finishes, it is simple to coordinate with existing fixtures; stainless, chrome, gold, bronze and copper.

Whether your talent is painting, sewing, or simply have a keen eye for flea market finds, creating your perfect kitchen can be a blissful DIY experience. The kitchen has been said to be the "heart of the home" and giving it your own touch and distinctive style can make for a happy home. Here are some of our favorite DIY kitchen ideas :

Stenciling : Even the most novice of DIY'ers can do this! Stenciling can add a stylish feature to most any element ; Walls, cutting boards, picture frames, kitchen curtains, and kitchen cabinets.

Rugs, Pot Holders, Curtains : Sewing may not be your thing, but purchasing a blank canvas such as a rug or pot holder, you can paint, use iron on designs, or even use clip-on hangers and still create a stunning DIY kitchen element.

Flea Market Finds : Find an old frame, or glass vase at last weeks Flea Market or garage sale? Spruce it up with a bit of paint, add beach shells , or even utilizing that old bottle into a utensil holder.

Add Small Touches : A beautiful Soap Dispenser, hand towels or even a sponge holder can add a stylish touch.

Kitchen trends come and go but creating your own style will always be ...in style. Do what makes you happy, and keeps your kitchen happy! 

Natural room freshener is simple to make, and leaves you with a fresh and natural scent throughout the home. Here is an easy DIY room freshener recipe that can be interchangeable with which essential oil you choose to scent your home.

DIY Essential Oil Natural Room Freshener Recipe

8 ounces of distilled or spring water (tap is okay)

6-8 drops of Essential Oil ( our favorite is organic sweet orange essential oil)

Simple place these ingredient in a glass spray bottle & shake! You can spray (mist) throughout the home, on shower curtains, linens and rugs.

Note : Some essential oils can stain, be sure to check with your essential oil vendor to see which kinds of essential oil are appropriate for linens.

Essential oils can offer a natural fragrance to your home, be sure to test which essential oils work best for you!

Rail19 Glass Spray Bottles and Glass Mist Bottles offer a variety of uses. From DIY linen sprays and homemade cleaners to simple plant water sprays. Because our glass bottle can be sterilized, refilled, and used again and again, we have compiled the BIG list for those in search for new uses for their glass spray bottles.

Housekeeping

• Watering Plants ( like herbs, succulents, and specialty plants)
• DIY Linen Sprays
• Homemade Cleaners
• DIY Room Fresheners
• Ironing Sprays / Starch spray
• Shower Cleaner Spray / refresher
• Natural Pest Sprays / Non Toxic Bug Sprays
• Counter Spray
• Garden Insecticide
• Homemade Disinfecting spritzer
• Fruit and Vegetable Wash Spray
• Homemade Glass Cleaner
• Non Toxic Pet Sprays for Odors + Fleas

Personal Care

• DIY Hair Sprays
• DIY Detanglers
• Refreshing Cooling Face Mist
• DIY After bath sprays
• Essential oil storage
• DIY Body Sprays
• Surf Sea Spray
• Tanning oil sprays
• Spray deodorant
• Homemade perfume
• Natural bug repellent
• DIY Self Tanner
• DIY Dry Shampoo spray
• Homemade Deodorant spray
• Leave in Conditioner Sprays
• Spray gels
• Foot Care Sprays
• Hair Moisturizing Sprays

Business

• Pet Groomers - De-tangle sprays, pet fresheners, cleaners, pet training
• Hair Salons - Conditioner Sprays, water Spray for haircuts, facial mist, tool cleaners
• Gyms - Equipment cleaners, cost effecting homemade cleaners
• Yoga - Mat cleaners, natural cleaning sprays for bathrooms and lockers
• Tanning Salons - Tanning bed cleaners, tanning sprays
• Art - Clean up sprays, natural spray bottle painting, Homemade sidewalk chalk spray

Rail19 Glass Misting Bottles are the perfect storage for DIY homemade linen sprays. Incredibly easy to make, here is a simple recipe for creating your own.

1. Using a funnel - Fill Your Glass Misting Bottle with 2 oz of Isopropyl alcohol + 20 drops of essential oil of choice. (pure essential oils are recommended)

2. Place cover or cap over bottle and shake well.

3. Using your funnel - pour 4-4.5 oz of distilled water into your glass bottle.

4. Place cover or cap over bottle and shake well.

Your linen spray is ready! Lavender, rose, and other flowering pure essential oils are some favorites.

Please note : It is recommended to do a spray test on an old piece of fabric to test your scents and any potential staining that some essential oils may tender.

Which is Better? Bar Soap or Liquid Soap

Bar soap has been around for a long time. On the other hand, liquid soap has become the most popular choice in many public places and even in homes. So, when you compare them side by side, is one better than the other?

The Benefits of Bar Soap

The main benefit of using bar soap is that it is less expensive than liquid soap. Not only is the initial cost less, but the amount you use is generally less than with the liquid. Bar soap also has less impact on the environment because of packaging. That difference changes if you purchase refills of the liquid soap and use glass soap dispensers because you aren't adding containers to the landfill as often.

Some people prefer the old-fashioned style of bar soap, but many others like the convenience of using a liquid.

The Benefits of Liquid Soap

The most common reasons people prefer liquid soap include convenience and sanitation. It is much easier to squirt a bit of soap out of a dispenser than trying to pick up a slippery bar. For the same reason, it is also more sanitary.

Germs can live on bar soap where other people have touched it. That is why businesses and other public places do not use it. Liquid does not carry germs or spread them from one person to another.

Another advantage of liquid over bar is the fact that you can add moisturizing ingredients to the liquid. Many liquid soaps contain aloe vera, lotion or other ingredients that soften your hands. If you prefer a soap that is all-natural and won't dry out your skin, this may the option for you.

Some soaps contain harsh chemicals that are harmful to you and the environment. Some soap, whether it is liquid soap or bar soap, often contain chemicals, fragrances and dyes that you may not want to use. Reading the list of ingredients in your soap may help you with your purchasing decision.

Also, consider your skin type. If you have oily skin, you want to choose a soap that won't add more oil but one that isn't too harsh either. Dry skin needs a more sensitive option. Look for a soap that provides those moisturizing ingredients your body needs.

When deciding to go for bar soap or liquid, it comes down to your personal choice. Don't be afraid to try more than one, and experiment with brands and types, or even making your own liquid soap or bar soap. Additionally, having both liquid soap and bar soap has its benefits. Offering guests a selection and even alternating between bar and liquid may offer a welcoming change between your two favorite scents.

Eco Friendly Soap Dispensers

More people are making environmentally conscious changes to their everyday living. Making changes to your daily routine doesn't have to start big. One simple thing you can do is switch from plastic to glass soap dispensers.

Benefits of Glass Soap Dispensers

There are many benefits to using soap dispensers that aren't disposable. Glass soap dispensers are longer lasting than their plastic counterparts. You can also purchase larger and typically more economical refills rather than shelling out money for new packaging each time you buy soap. If you want to be even more environmentally friendly, there are plenty of recycled glass soap dispensers on the market too.

There may be health advantages to using glass bath accessories over plastic ones as well. A 2011 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that most plastics release substances that mimic natural estrogen. While BPA is a well known culprit. When you use glass soap dispensers, you can worry less every time you wash your hands.

Glass Soap Dispensers with Metal Pumps are Long Lasting

You know that the glass bases of your soap dispensers will last for a long time, but what about the pumps? Fortunately, there's an answer for that, too. The availability of soap dispensers with metal pumps means you won't have to worry about a plastic pump wearing out or sticking.

Soap dispensers with metal pumps come in two different varieties: foaming and non-foaming. Non-foaming pumps dispense soap normally, as a liquid. Foaming pumps aerate thinner liquid mixes and create a frothy foam that is then used to wash the hands. If you make your own mix, it can be quite economical. There are a plethora of Homemade Liquid Soap DIYs online at website such as pinterest.

Environmental Benefits

When you choose to implement reusable glass bath accessories instead of using disposable plastics, it affects the environment in a number of ways. First, less waste is produced, freeing up space in landfills. Second, because there's less demand, less plastic is made, reducing the pollution that occurs during the manufacturing process. Finally, the resources and energy used to produce plastic soap dispensers can be used elsewhere, in more environmentally friendly ways.

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint even further, use soap dispensers with metal pumps. Their parts may hold up longer than plastic pumps. This is another great way to avoid generating more waste.

Using durable and reusable glass soap dispensers, it's easy to make the choice to switch from plastic. It will benefit your budget, too.

Decor Options

Whether you choose recycled glass soap dispensers with a green tint or clear , it's simple to find glass bath accessories that fit your decor. From rustic, cottage and vintage inspired styles to elegant tall vessel sink soap dispenser designs, you're sure to find one that will suit your personal style. And since it's long lasting and reusable, you'll also be doing your part to help conserve Earth's precious resources.

Refresh your home for the holidays with glass soap dispensers and glass bath accessories. The holidays are a time for welcoming guests into your home. Preparing your home for holiday guests includes cleaning and refreshing the most frequently used rooms in the home during the holidays ; the kitchen and bath.

Refreshing your bath can be as simple as adding new bath linens and adding a fresh and clean glass soap dispenser, filling with your favorite colorful liquid soap. Glass and Recycled Glass soap dispensers add a clean look to your bath. While glass bath storage lends a beautiful touch and can be a convenient storage for additional guest amenities.

A plastic liquid dispenser can be a bit unsightly, taking away from the look or style your bath or kitchen is depicting.

The kitchen is often the heart of the home, especially during the holidays while the bath is a frequently used room in the home. Adding a glass soap dispenser with an eco friendly metal pump will bring a cohesive and lovely touch counter-top or sink side for guests to use this holiday season.

Shop Rail19 >>

Filling and refilling Rail19 Glass Soap Dispensers is easy to do ; simply remove the pump and pour. Our glass soap dispensers offer an attractive way to store and pump your favorite liquid soaps. By opting for a refillable glass dispenser and filling with your favorite refill liquid soaps , you save money while reducing the impact of plastic.

Selecting your favorite liquid soap may be easy, but finding it in bulk may not be as simple. We have compiled a top ten list of favorite liquid soaps available in bulk.

1. Caldrea Hand Soap Liquid Refill

A fresh and fragrant cleanser for hard-working hands. Softens with aloe vera gel, olive oil and a unique blend of essential oils. Paraben-free. Biodegradable. Not tested on animals.

Available in a variety of scents; Black Coriander Lime ,Ginger Pomelo ,Lavender Pine just to name a few. $20 for 32oz. at drugstore.com

2. Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap Refill, Lavender & Camomile

Although not all natural like its counterparts, Softsoap's Lavender & Camomile is one of the most pleasant scents available from the Softsoap line up. And, the price is right at around $5 for 32oz. available at most department stores and grocers.

3. Kiss My Face Hand Soap Refill, Fragrance Free

Sensitive skin? KMF Fragrance free liquid hand soap is a perfect match. Paraben, SLS, & Phthalate Free, not testing on animals and is biodegradable. $10 for a smaller refill at 17.5 oz.

4. J.R. Watkins Naturals Hand Soap Refills

A true natural lover favorite is the popular J.R Watkins refills. This nontoxic, natural formula will leave your hands fresh and clean. J.R. Watkins natural plant-based formulas are: Animal testing free, Dye Free, Phosphate Free and is reasonable priced at $5.50-$6 for 24 oz.

5. Dr. Bronner Castile Soap

For serious liquid soap lovers Dr. Bronner offers a multitude of generously large refills ranging from 64 oz to 128 oz. Made with organic oils, Dr. Bronner's liquid soaps are guaranteed no synthetic oils and are 100% vegetarian. Available at vitaminshoppe.com.

6. Desert Essence Castile Liquid Soap

Free from animal ingredients, alcohol, detergents, artificial colors or synthetic fragrances Desert Essence Castile Liquid Soaps are an ideal choice for those who are serious about their liquid soap's ingredients. Many lovers of this soap find it to be a versatile liquid soap; using it for face wash, hand wash, & find it incredibly sensitive to skin. A 32 oz. refill will cost you around $15.

7. Mrs. Meyers Clean Day, Liquid Hand Soap Refill

Mrs. Meyers brand is a popular choice and is fairly easy to find online and in stores. Mrs. Meyers liquid soap ingredients are naturally derived and are cruelty-free, not tested on animals and are biodegradable. Best of all, their bottles are made with at least 25% post-consumer plastic making it a nice eco-friendly choice. A 33 oz. jug is reasonably priced at around $11 at amazon.com.

8. Simplehuman Liquid Hand Soap Refill Pouch

Instead of the traditional plastic refill bottle, Simplehuman refills are available in a handy squeeze pouch. Although its not recommended that you don't use any liquid soap with exfoliates or moisturizing beads as this could clog soap pumps, Simplehuman does offer a variety of soaps that are compatible with traditional pumps. Users rave about the soft feeling the soap leaves on the hands after every wash most likely due to the aloe properties. Available in 34 oz. at around $12-$17.

9. Ivory Liquid Hand Soap, Clear, Refill

An oldy but goodie. Ivory Soap has been a family favorite for over 125 years. Ivory promotes gentle cleansing and offers a familiar scent as a well recognized brand. Available online as well as in most retails price varies between $9-$13 for a lean 16oz refill.

10. Homemade DIY Liquid Soap

Cost effective, and effectively the least amount of plastic used; make your own liquid soap in the comfort of your home with basic ingredients. There are a plethora of DIY recipes for liquid soap. A popular theme circulating the internet is to use natural and inexpensive bar/s of your favorite soap, glycerin, and essential oils to create large batches of liquid soap. 

1) Think of luxury hotel bathrooms when staging your bathroom. Luxury hotel bathrooms are inviting, yet do not appear as though anyone has ever "lived in" or been used a thousand times before your stay. Storing all personal items away before a showing will help you achieve this look.

2) Always be sure to polish hardware before a showing. This will offer a gleaming attribute and hardware will appear newer than they may be. Cleaning the bathroom is a given, but sellers seldom think to polish their bathroom's hardware.

3) Add glass soap dispensers to your counter-tops. Plastic name-brand soaps can spoil the atmosphere you are attempting to achieve and can add a bit of sophistication even to the smallest of bathrooms. If you prefer bar soaps, new, unused bars of soap are ideal.

4) Lighting - Add a higher watt bulb/s to your lighting fixtures. This will give the illusion of a larger space, which can especially important for small bathrooms.

5) If you are revamping your bathroom with paint, go with light neutral colors this will give the appearance of a larger, cleaner space. The same rule applies for shower curtains and rugs, adding color with only towels and a small decorative piece like a vase with colorful flowers.

A professional stager is nice, but if one is not in your budget, these tips will help you achieve your best foot forward when selling a home.

Shop All Rail19 Glass Soap Dispensers >>

How To Update Your Bath on a Budget

Want to know how to update your bath on a budget? Here are some quick easy tips to freshen up the decor in your bathroom without spending a fortune. Rising costs sometimes make it difficult to do the full scale remodel of your home's master bath you've always wanted. However, it can be as easy as switching out your tired plastic soap dispenser with a beautiful glass soap dispenser. You may even want to freshen up the decor in your bathroom with a fresh coat of paint, fresh decor accents, or new bulb shades for sconces or other light fixtures. 

Choosing Colors
How is your master bath set up? Does it have its own door, or just an open doorway? Is it a large or a small space? Is it a full bathroom or a half bath? Asking these questions can help you narrow down color choices.

For instance, if your bath was constructed with an open door frame, the color you choose for it will need to coordinate with the colors used in your bedroom, since they'll frequently be viewed together. If space is limited, you may also want to hang a curtain over the door frame for privacy.

It's important to keep in mind that color can create illusions, too. A larger room can be made more intimate with a few well-placed lights and dark shades on the wall. A small room opens up and becomes more airy with the use of lighter hues. Accessories like glass soap dispensers come in a wide array of colors, shapes, and styles that will suit your chosen mood and tone.

Accessorizing
Bulb shades for sconces and other light fixtures can be dated, particularly if they're original to the home. Unless they have some rustic charm of their own, it's inexpensive to buy replacements that look more modern at your local hardware store. Tie the room together by echoing the look of your bulb shades in other glass bath accessories. If your shades are frosted, use frosted glass. If they're sculpted, coordinate the look with coordinating glass soap dispensers.

If you're looking for eco friendly ways to accessorize, you may like recycled glass soap dispensers with a green hue, or a simple refillable glass soap dispenser you can fill with a variety of colorful soaps to change with the color and style of your bathroom. Glass soap dispensers are available with a variety of metal pumps that can coordinate with your existing hardware, such as stainless, copper or chrome.

Your Updated Bath
Don't stop at soap dispensers. You can use other glass bath accessories to help freshen your bathroom's look as well. Soap dishes, toothbrush holders and tumblers in glass can impart a relaxing, spa-like vibe to your master bath. And best of all, it's fast, easy and economical - an absolute bonus for those on a budget.

Top 10 Ways to Update Your Kitchen on a Budget

If you need to change your kitchen's look but money is tight, you'll love these ways to update it on a budget. Highlight the heart of your home without breaking the bank with these ideas.

Paint the Walls
One of the easiest ways to make a big change in your kitchen is to repaint the walls. A new infusion of color may be just what the room needs, and can usually be done for around a few hundred dollars or less.

Refurbish Cabinets
Like walls, cabinets are a great place to create high impact with minimum effort. Refinish wooden ones, or remove the doors and drawer faces and have them re-lacquered in the color of your choice.

Hardware and Fixtures
New hardware and fixtures can give the room a whole new look too. Keep finishes the same for continuity. You can even add in soap dispensers with metal pumps in the same sheen as the rest of your metalwork.

Organize
Re-purpose bath accessories. A tumbler might hold small measuring spoons, or recycled glass soap dispensers can be used for hand sanitizer or dish soap.

Backsplash
The back splash is the jewelry of your kitchen. Don't be afraid to personalize it, but do use it to tie in all the colors in the room. Use tile or create a place for changeable artwork with chalkboard paint. Use soap dispensers that fit in with your look: recycled glass soap dispensers paired with chalkboard surfaces or colorful glass soap dispensers with shiny tile.

Sink
These days, plain porcelain and stainless steel aren't your only options. Sinks come in a wide selection of colors and are a fun way to add a bright pop to your kitchen. Don't forget to use soap dispensers with metal pumps that coordinate with your sink color and match your sink fixtures.

Flooring
New flooring doesn't have to break the bank either. Vinyl, linoleum and porcelain tile are all low cost options. Vinyl and linoleum come in a rainbow of colors while porcelain tile mimics the look of higher end organic materials.

Window Treatments
Revamping the window treatments in your kitchen can breathe new life into it. Try an online tutorial to create your own Roman shades, or opt for privacy enabling blinds. You may even want to add a small window plant or two or even some potted herbs to add additional style to windows.

Lighting Fixtures
You'll need three types of lighting in your kitchen: ambient general lighting, accent lighting that highlights your new sink and backsplash, and task lighting for specific functions like cooking or meal prep. Don't forget to match lighting shade details with your glass bath accessories.

Countertops
You'll get the biggest return on investment for your counter-tops, so investing here is wise. You can still do a few things to cut corners, though. Use lower cost materials like quartz instead of marble or granite, or see if a nearby stone cutter will sell you off-cuts at a discount. If you are handy, you can DIY tiles.


As you can see, there are many ways to update your kitchen on a budget. Choose warm, elemental tones to create a feeling of intimacy and invitation that will have your guests lingering long after supper dishes are cleared.

Top Ten Ways to Update the Look of Your Bathroom

Which would you rather have in your home's bath, a replay of the 90's or a relaxing, Zen-like ambiance? Fortunately, it's easy to update your bathroom's look. Try these ideas to create a home spa worth savoring.

Color
Because bathrooms are typically smaller rooms, using a monochromatic color scheme is a great way to create a soothing atmosphere. But using a single color doesn't mean you have to stick with the same intensity and value. For example, if you've chosen a warm, earthy brown for your walls, you might use colorful glass soap dispensers or other decorative items in golden taupe or beach blue.

Lighting
If your existing lighting fixtures have good lines, you might be able to get away with a coat of paint and new bulb shades to freshen them up. Here's a tip for tying decor together and keeping your look unified: use glass bath accessories with some of the same features your bulb shades have. If the shades are frosted, fluted, or sculpted, echo those elements in the accessories you choose.

Bathroom Accessories
Ditch the pink fuzzy bath mat and replace it with something more organic, like bamboo or woven cotton. It's a quick update that looks sophisticated. Try pairing your new bath mat with other elemental pieces, like recycled glass soap dispensers.

Declutter
Nothing detracts from your bathroom more than a lot of plastic bottles perched on every available surface. Glass soap dispensers are good for more than holding soap. Use waterproof glue to attach a bit of shelf liner to the base of each soap dispenser and decant lotion, shampoo, or conditioner into them instead of leaving unsightly bottles out. One note: you may want to keep the soap dispensers with metal pumps on the sink rather than in the shower to avoid rust and falls.

Fixtures
Plumbing fixtures can also date your bathroom rather quickly. Trade in your plastic and chrome model for one in a bronzed or brushed nickel finish. You can still go for chrome if you like, but try something with more graceful lines than the old set. If you get soap dispensers with metal pumps, match the finish on them to your new fixtures.

Flooring
Shag carpet went out of style in the 80's. Instead, try a waterproof option. From cool slate tile to laminate that mimics the look of wood without the hassle, it's easy to find the flooring choice that's right for you.

Candles
There's nothing quite as relaxing as a long, hot soak in the tub by candlelight. If you need candle-holders, get creative. Use glass bath accessories like soap trays or tumblers to hold your candles while you de-stress.

Mirrors
Mirrors can make a small room seem much bigger. Place small mirrors in key places. If the mirror over your sink is plain, consider creative framing with found wood or branches. Recycled glass soap dispensers would complete the rustic look nicely.

Seating
If you have room in your bath, consider adding a chair, stool or bench. Use it to keep clean clothes off the wet floor, or to make it easier to remove socks and shoes before bathing.

Toilet
Especially if you have a pink porcelain monstrosity, now is the perfect time to update your toilet. Try one of the newer dual flush models to conserve water and improve the look of your bathroom.

Recycled Glass Soap Dispensers add an eco-friendly element to your bath or kitchen along with a unique style. Rail19 offers a beautiful selection of recycled glass soap dispensers in a variety of shapes and sizes to coordinate with virtually any kitchen or bath style. Additionally, the ability to refill your soap dispenser adds an additional eco-value by reducing the amount of plastic that can be used when purchasing and a new plastic soap dispenser after every use. 

Additionally, when purchasing an economical sized liquid soap ( or lotion), or even making your own homemade and natural liquid soaps, you can reduce the use of plastic and save money. 

If you have a beach themed bathroom this DIY may just be the thing to add a bit of extra style to a bare space in the bath.

Materials :

Used wooden frame (picked up at a yard sale for 50 cents)

Mirror

Jute Cord (3 ply)

E6000 Glue

2 Screw Hooks

Spray Paint

Decorative Beach shells or starfish

Remove glass, advertisements etc from frame and wipe down with damp cloth to remove any stickers, dirt etc.

Important -- drill your holes first on the sides of your frame. You will want to drill a hole slightly bigger than your screw and then gently screw in your screw hooks.

Use 2-3 coats of spray paint your frame (including screws) , any coordinating color will do. We chose a matte spray to prevent too much "shine".

Once your frame is dry (usually takes 24 hours to completely dry after 2-3 coats) turn your frame over and modestly add beads of your glue around the edges where your mirror will sit.

Gently lay your mirror (mirror side down) to the back of your frame and let sit for several hours in a well ventilated area. Make sure not to turn or lift upward your frame until it is completely dry -- otherwise you will have a gluey mess and messy mirror.

Once your mirror is sturdily in place, turn over and decorate with various beach items such as shells or starfish gluing with your E6000 glue.

Finally cut your jute cord 3x the length needed to hang. Fold and loop -- twist and tie knots on either end. Loop onto your screw hooks and hang. 

Glass bath accessories add a bit of sophistication to the bathroom. Rail19 offers a unique collection of hand blown glass bath accessories and storage that create a stunning display counter top and sink side.

Our hand blown glass and recycled glass bath canisters, cotton ball storage and soap dispensers are created to be as beautiful as they are functional. We offer a variety of styles and sizes to fit large bathrooms as well as small space baths. 

Modern Style Soap Dispensers

If you are not a traditionalist, you may define yourself as modern or contemporary. While the two terms mean the same thing in many aspects, they are different when it comes to design. From modern soap dispensers to bath fixtures to towels, it has a definite look that you want to understand before you begin decorating.

Modern vs. Contemporary
Modern is really a misnomer. This design style originated back in the late 1800's while the contemporary design style was not seen until the 1970's. Modern design has a strict style element while contemporary is more open. The color palette in modern is neutrals or natural tones. Contemporary can be anything you want it to be.

Strong lines rather than soft curves are the hallmark of modern. Both styles favor the uncluttered look with no ornate designs or heavy embellishments.

Modern Soap Dispensers
If you are looking for a modern soap dispenser to complete your bathroom redesign, you may wonder what to look for. To fit the modern design style, they will have strong lines and be more square than round. They may have unique shapes and feature a long narrow pump.

These soap and lotion dispensers often are made of stainless steel though glass is quite popular as well. One style is a square dispenser that looks like a box with the pump on top. The body of the dispenser is in black while the pump is stainless steel. Another option is a cylindrical dispenser that is long and lean. While it does have a roundness to the design, the elongated body creates a different look.

Amber glass or Blue Glass Soap Dispensersare a popular choice in modern soap dispensers along with brushed nickel. You can even find wooden dispensers for a totally different look that is modern and stylish. Look for clear glass, white glass or ceramic or chrome or metal bodies in long, thin shapes when choosing a modern design.

Use it in a bathroom that is modern or to update a traditional room without making a major change. Choose dispensers that have very little design on the surface, instead letting the strong lines be the decorative element.

Creating a modern space is easy when you understand the components and design elements that make up this style. Update your bathroom or kitchen with accessories such as the modern soap dispenser for a new look that you will enjoy.