Soap Dispenser Troubleshooting

My Pump is Clogged

If your soap dispenser pump is clogged there are a couple of reasons why this may occur.

CAUSE
• Soap Type - Clogging can occur from a high amount of glycerin in soap; Glycerin based liquid soap tends to clog soap dispenser pumps.
• Infrequent Use - Another culprit of clogging is infrequent use of the soap pump. When soap (or lotion) sits inside the pump for a period of time it can dry, making it difficult to pump.

SOLUTION
• Flush Pump by inserting the straw of the pump into a glass filled with warm water; for stubborn clogs, add white vinegar.
• Dilute/Thin your soap with a bit of water (distilled is recommended); this will assist with breaking down the concentration of the soap
• If the clogging is caused by infrequent use; simply flush the pump with a bit of warm water periodically.
• Switch Soaps; Simply put, some soaps are just too concentrated and/or have ingredients that are a challenge to any pump used over a 30-day period.
• * Using a toothpick may come in handy with clearing soap and lotion build up within the exit points.

My Pump is Dripping

CAUSE

Depending on soap type, dripping can possibly happen when soap is concentrated, thick, or is glycerin based. Thicker soaps tend to sit at the top of the pump (rather than going back down) and will force itself out of the top at times.

SOLUTION

• Step 1) Flush Pump by inserting the straw of the pump into a glass filled with warm water; for stubborn clogs, add white vinegar.
• Step 2) Dilute/Thin your soap with a bit of water (distilled is recommended); this will assist with breaking down the concentration of the soap allowing the soap to smoothly move back down to the base after use.
• NEVER soak or submerge your pump in water.

Rusting

Rust typically occurs when the finish has worn and the raw metal is exposed to air and liquid. There are two common reasons why the finish may wear + occur in two common places ;

1 ) Sitting soap/lotion on the exit point of the pump. When soap sits on or in the exit point (where the soap/lotion exit the pump) the soap/lotion can break down the finish and over time begin to expose the raw metal beneath.

To help prevent this from occurring, you want to periodically clean your pump. If you are finding that the soap is continuously building up around the tip, we recommend thinning the soap, trying a different brand with less glycerin or cleaning more frequently.

One solution is simply rubbing a dab of Vaseline or beeswax around the tip of the exit point for further protection. Vaseline or beeswax has been a great solution for rust and hard water build up.

2 ) Another area is the touch point of the pump. This is wherever you use your finger/hand to push the pump. Over time , and like with most finishes, touching and rubbing will eventually wear on the finish.

If you find that your pump is rusting in other areas, you may want to examine your pump closely for any sitting soap or sitting water areas that may be causing the issue.

In many cases, rust can be cleaned off by simply gently scrubbing the area with a non-scratch scouring pad or stay-clean scrub sponge.

If you are experiencing rusting within the pump ; flushing with white vinegar + warm water is recommended.

Pumping but Nothing will Come Out?

• Please check that the tube is securely connected to the pump.

• Please flush your pump with warm water; stick the tube inside a glass filled with warm water to see if the tube is connected and if contents will flow through the pump. If water will flow, so should your soap or lotion.

• Please check that your lotion or soap is not overly thick and concentrated; like dish soap.

My Pump is Shooting / Spraying

CAUSE
• Soap (or lotion) shooting is typically because the soap is drying inside the pump causing a cork affect. When the soap is released by use, the pressure causes a "shooting" spray.
• You may be pushing the pump from the stem and not the top.

SOLUTION
• Please check that your soap or lotion is not overly concentrated.
• Dilute/Thin your soap with a bit of water (distilled is recommended) + flush the pump with a bit of warm water. Flushing your pump is recommended with each refill.NEVER soak or submerge your pump in water.
• Our pumps are designed to be pumped from the top surface and not the stem. Please take care to not push from the stem (where the soap/lotion exits) but rather the largest surface on the top.

Soap Piling / Soap Build Up

CAUSE
Soap piling is when the soap dries inside or on the outer parts of the pump ; and "piles" by forming a mountain of dried soap and expands from its original liquid form. This is common with concentrated dish soaps ; but can happen with some lotions and hand soaps. You may see this occur most commonly on the outer spouts of dish soap bottles like dawn or Palmolive. Soap piling can cause significant damage to a soap pump by clogging the innards and damaging the spring action within. Soap piling typically happens at both the neck of the pump and the exit point of the stem.

SOLUTION

• Keeping your pump free of concentrated soaps is recommended to extend the life of your pump.

• Flush your pump by inserting the straw into a glass of warm water (and white vinegar for stuborn build up) and flush your pump clear.

• Dilute/Thin your soap with a bit of water (distilled is recommended)

• Wipe neck and stem with a soft damp cloth clearing all build up.

• Flushing and wiping your pump periodically is recommended ; typically with each refill.
• NEVER soak or submerge your pump in water.

Foaming Soap Dispensers: Will Not Foam

If you just received your foaming pump and you are unable to get your foaming pump to foam

SOLUTION

• Please check that the small tube that leads to the pump is not pushed too far into the pump, pulling it out slightly. This allows for air to flow to create the foam. You will see a small glass ball that sits above your tube, make sure this ball has room to move.

• If the tube is coiled, you may trim it back to allow for easier pumping.

• Please check that your foaming soap formula is not too thick or too thin. If you are creating your own soap, it is important to remember to create a 5 to 1 formula (5 parts water, 1-part soap)

• If you are using Castile Soap like Dr. Bronner's soap, please dilute (distilled is recommended) your soap twice as much as you would with typical soap mixtures.



If your pump once foamed, and over time has stopped foaming it is likely that your foaming mechanism has soap build up and has coated the foaming filter with this soap build up. When the foaming filter is clogged it will prevent foam from producing.

SOLUTION

• Flush your foaming pump (never soak or submerge your pump) with white vinegar. Once you have your pump cleared, it is recommended to flush your pump with a warm water and white vinegar solution with every soap refill.

• Please check that the small tube that leads to the pump is not pushed too far into the pump, pulling it out slightly. This allows for air to flow to create the foam. You will see a small glass ball that sits above your tube, make sure this ball has room to move.

Foaming Soap Dispensers : Sticking

CAUSE

Sticking is typically caused by soap build up and oil ingredient build up; over time the foaming pump may stay in the down position due to the soap creating a “glue” over time. If your foaming pump is not cleaned periodically (typically with each refill) this may occur.

SOLUTION

Flush your foaming pump (never soak or submerge your pump) with white vinegar and warm water. Once you have your pump cleared, it is recommended to flush your pump with a warm water and white vinegar solution with every soap refill.

Please note : It may be necessary to separate your foaming pump to expose the filter screen; you may gently clean this filter with a soft toothbrush or cloth.

Foaming Soap Dispensers : Castile Soaps

At RAIL19 we are huge fans of Castile Soaps like Dr.Bronner's soap. However, many Castile soaps contain a multitude of oils which can clog, cause sticking (and eventually damaging) to foaming (and non-foaming) soap pumps. These oils can also create a filmy coating (much like a cooking pan and oil) within the 2 step filtering system ; this can cause your pump to stop foaming over time.
It is recommended that diluting (distilled water) Castile soap twice as much as you typically would with other soaps will extend the life of your pump and help prevent clogging and sticking. Due to the Castile soap ingredient's qualities, flushing your pump with undiluted white vinegar with each refill is also recommended.

Life Expectancy of Your Soap Pump

There are many factors when determining how long your pump will last. Care + Use are most important when extending the life of your pump. How often you clean your pump, what soap or lotion you use, if you have hard water, and how frequently your pump is used are the most common reasons for wear + tear. In our experience, our pumps can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years before a replacement may be needed.

We find the typical pump found elsewhere may have a lifespan of about 1/2 that. We take great pride in our products and welcome you to contact us should you find that your pump is defective. Within 60 days of the purchase date, we will replace your pump against manufacturer's defects only. It is recommended that diluting (distilled water) Castile soap twice as much as you typically would with other soaps will extend the life of your pump and help prevent clogging and sticking. Due to the Castile soap ingredient's qualities, flushing your pump with undiluted white vinegar with each refill is also recommended.

A Word About Dish Soaps

Concentrated soaps such as Dawn and Palmolive (and the like) can damage your pump quickly. Because dish soaps are very concentrated they tend to clog deep inside the pump and create a solid blockage. Over time, the dish washing soap will find another way out and damage the pump by breaking through other paths within the pump; like the neck of the pump. The strain of pumping concentrated soaps can also seize the pump.

Some dish soaps also have harsher chemicals that may lead to corrosion of the metal and finish. Additionally, sticking, dripping and clogging may occur with some dish soaps. It is recommended that thinning your concentrated dish soap considerably or using a dish soap that is watery thin or contains natural ingredients that are less chemically reactive and concentrated, renders the best results.

Foaming Dish Soap + DIY Foaming Dish Soap - the same rules apply as above. If you find that your foaming dish soap is clogging your foaming pump, simply clean your pump and dilute (distilled water) your soap to remedy the issue. 

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