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How To Replace A Kitchen Sink Soap Dispenser

April 26, 2016

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It's easy to replace a broken kitchen sink soap dispenser. It's less expensive than buying a whole new faucet fixture and takes mere minutes to do.

You might even be able to get the replacement parts for free!

Here are the super simple step by step instructions.

How To Replace A Soap Or Lotion Dispenser Text over sink with roses photo

A couple of days ago, I mentioned to a friend that the soap dispenser on my kitchen faucet was broken and I needed to swap it out.

She was surprised that I was so calm about it.

You see, she thought I was going to have to get a brand new faucet ~ big money, lots of work. 

When I explained to her that I was just going to replace the soap dispenser piece she was shocked.

I didn't know you could do that.

Hmmm.

I started thinking that if she didn't know this was an option, perhaps there were others who didn't as well and I decided to share the process.

It's a simple and inexpensive way to repair your broken soap pump without investing in a whole new fixture.

In fact, it's so super easy, even if you have never done any household DIY before, I guarantee that if you can change a light bulb, you can do this.

Here's how.

About thirteen years ago, we added a kitchen to this tiny cottage. It was a big job, so we tried to be as frugal as possible. I chose a fixture that was on sale at the hardware store for about a hundred bucks.

It was (and still is) beautiful.

Unfortunately, after about a decade of use, wear and tear, the top snapped.

I was so upset.

I immediately went to the Pfister website to buy a replacement and was shocked at the price. The part was about fifty dollars...plus shipping.

Wow. That was a lot considering what I originally paid for the whole thing years ago at Home Depot.

*2020 Update: Pfister reached out to me to let me know that customers should always call them first. They can usually supply a replacement part as part of the warranty. Who knew??

*I recently reached out the manufacturer for a free part to replace our broken kitchen sink sprayer. It was free as well!

*I did the same when we replaced our leaking shower head hose. A quick phone call really pays off.


While I was thinking about alternatives to my busted pump, I happened to see a replacement soap dispenser in the hardware store for fifteen dollars. It didn't match exactly, but it was silver and shiny.

Good enough.

It worked well for about a couple of years, then it snapped. Apparently, the snapping is a big problem. The guy at the hardware store said it happens all the time.

The plastic at the neck of the pump wears and corrodes.

Once it's broken, the suction doesn't build up to pump the soap.

This is broken text arrow pointing to soap dispenser

So...I went back to Home Depot instead, where I found this Kohler soap/ lotion dispenser replacement part

There are cheaper soap pump replacement parts on Amazon if you can't get them for free from your manufacturer. This one even comes with a long tube that goes directly into the soap bottle so you don't have to keep refilling the small bottle.

But at the time, the Kohler was less expensive than it's listed for now, and it a was much sturdier than the original replacement I purchased. So that's what I went with and it lasted for years.

Perfect.

How To Replace A Soap Dispenser In The Kitchen


This is a quick and easy replacement. There are no water lines to mess with or special tools required. Although it might be helpful to have a second set of hands.

Kohler Soap And Lotion Dispenser package

Step 1: Remove the broken parts


We removed the broken plastic pump piece with pliers.

Remove An Old Soap Dispenser With Pliers

Step 2: Unscrew the soap bottle from below


We unscrewed the soap bottle from underneath the sink base.

It's messy under there and a bit confusing, so I used a bunch of arrows to point it out.

The view under the sink when replacing a soap dispenser

Step 3: Loosen the threaded tube and washer below


With pliers in hand again, we loosened the top piece. It's the threaded tube that's anchored with a washer below the sink.

This was the point where having a buddy was helpful.

Using plier to twist sink pump base from sink


Step 4: Unscrew the tube and wash up


My husband held the washer in place under the sink, while I unscrewed the piece from the top. When it was free, I washed the sink to prep it for the new soap dispenser.

It was pretty icky.

I used Cerama Bryte to do the job. I always use it clean my sink...and more.

Rusted and broken soap kitchen sink soap dispenser.

Now it was time for the replacement.


We opened the package and made sure we had all of the necessary parts. 

Replacement kit for kitchen sink soap dispenser

Step 5: Place threaded soap dispenser base into the sink hole

Super simple, just drop it in the hole.

It's very important to make sure that this piece sits centered, though, otherwise, your pump will be crooked.

Text that says Make sure this piece sits centered in the hole and silver ring

Step 6. Add the washer below


My husband tightened the washer from below, while I held onto the piece from the top.

Step 7. Screw in the soap bottle


When the washer and top piece were seated properly and secure, my husband screwed the new soap bottle back in place from under the sink.

Seriously, that was the hardest part.

It's a tight, dark space under there.

White plastic ring for soap dispenser

Step 8: Place the soap dispenser pump inside


Lastly, we inserted the long straw (I don't believe that is the technical term) into the pump, filled the bottle up with soap and we were in business!

How to put in a new kitchen sink soap dispenser

Now, I know that I have mixed parts/ brands/ designs and that okay. It still looks fabulous and more importantly, it works great again.

I wasn't ready to replace the entire faucet and who's to say that if I did, the new one wouldn't snap in short order. 

Although, a few years later I did replace it all with a new farmhouse fixture. Also a Pfister, because hey, the warranty is that good.

Pfister Marielle faucet on white kitchen sink with white roses near it

This was the best solution for us and now I can put that ugly soap bottle back under the sink where it belongs...

How to fix a kitchen sink fixture soap pump text over photo of sink and faucet

...and just enjoy the shiny view.

😉

Do you have a broken soap pump in your kitchen?

Happy DIYing, Friends!
Kim Signature


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  1. Looks easy and the new dispenser goes great with your faucet. I am thankful to have a handy man that comes over to do things like that for us. There are no other handy man's around my house, if you know what I mean!!

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    1. I know what you mean, AnnMarie! My handyman is very, very handy, but not always on my timeline...if you know what I mean! ;)

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  2. Well done. Good work on giving us great directions. :-))

    I do not have one of these fancy soap dispensers, because I have an old farm sink. I love my farm sink...it is my favorite thing in my kitchen.

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  3. some things are just so ... simple. Why do we put it off??

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    1. I don't know, Nancy. We should've done this one a bit sooner!

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  4. Great tutorial, and I love your faucet! :)

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  5. thanks for this. I have one of those, but it is from 11 years ago and I wasn't aware it was vulnerable. Will check this post every so often to keep this stuff in my mind, just in case.

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  6. Hey Kim, I love how you and your husband work as a team together! You saved a lot of money doing it yourself and not having a Plummer install it. I love the new pump and it matches perfectly. :)

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    1. Thanks Julie. I think we do make a good team! :)

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  7. Great job and great tutorial. I have a couple of plumbing issues that I have been stalling on and hoping to diy it. Hoping your post will be the inspiration that I need to get them done.

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    1. My plumber (aka husband) is pretty good about the necessary stuff. This sucker was broken for a while...he didn't mind the ugly soap bottle! ;)

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  8. That is such a smart solution. Actually I didn't even know they made soap dispensers that were part of the kithchen sink. It's a very smart idea since we use soap all day. Glad you were able to find a solution Kim. Have a great day my friend.

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    1. Thanks Mary! There are so many neat things you can add to your sink...and I bet you can buy replacements for all of them!! ;)

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  9. Hi Kim!
    I spy two set of workers here and I like it! My husband and I are team players too-especially with yard work.
    So glad you were able to replace the soap dispenser for such a smart price.
    Great tutorial too!

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    1. We are team players that is for sure, Jemma!! It makes the job easier and a lot more fun, too!! :)

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  10. Way to go! The new one looks great and it's so nice having them built in. In our house we have an overflow valve "thingy" where the soap dispenser should be. Apparently that's the city code. I miss having the dispenser.

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    1. Code. I know it well. Lots of choices made around here because of code! Grrr.

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  11. Of course I had to click back to your post on the kitchen tour/renovation and drool.....I adore your kitchen, it's so beautiful! And you know what's wonderful? That you adore it also, so many years later! Great tutorial on changing out the soap dispenser...I had that problem in my rental prior to moving here but my landlord was such a cheap, miserable man there was no way I was putting a penny into that place for him!! But now I know how to do it in my own house, should the need arise - thanks, my friend!!

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    1. You are so sweet, thank you, Debbie! I do still love my kitchen...good thing, too. It took my husband five coats to get that red wall the color it is now and I do not believe he would be interested in five more to change it!! ;)

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  12. I did that twice in my son's bathroom re-do!And I'm so glad I did!Glad you did the step by step here!

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    1. Thank Vel!! :) That’s awesome that you were able to replace, them.

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  13. Kim, you are so clever!. Good job. Unfortunately my faucet doesn't have a soap dispenser, so I have to have that ugly bottle on top, but I did try to find a pretty one because it is a lot of work bringing that bottle out from under the sink everytime we need it. BTW, I couldn't help but notice those remarkably EXquisite things next to your sink. Are those roses??? They are so remarkable exquisite that they don't even look real..Happy Week to you..Judy

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    1. Guess what Judy? Those roses are not real!! They were so perfectly pretty though, I had to buy them!

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  14. Well done, Kim. The new soap dispenser looks like it belongs with your beautiful faucet. Hugs, Nancy

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    1. Why thank you, Nancy! I was hoping people would say that!! Hugs!!

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  15. What a great solution! Your faucet is gorgeous too! Several years ago, our kitchen faucet started leaking. I think it was less than ten years old and had a lifetime warranty, so we contacted the company (I think it was Price Pfister) and they told us to go to their website and pick out any faucet and they would ship it to us for free! Can you believe that??? The original one we bought was around $200 and the new one we picked retails for around $450. I still can't believe they let us do that!

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    1. You are a lucky lady, Lisa. My faucet is a Pfister and I was told that the warranty did not cover that kind of damage. Grrr. A free fixture or part, would've been awesome!

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  16. Thanks for sharing your solution and tutorial with us...sooner or later we all have to replace things around the home that get lots of use :)

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  17. Hi Kim, Thanks for the tip. Our home is 10 years old and it seems things are constantly breaking.

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  18. Your faucet is so pretty, Kim. I think it's great that you shared this tutorial. I happen to be married to a very talented "handy man" who would know how to do all of this, and would always try to repair or replace a part before tossing the whole thing and buying new. I know, though, that there are plenty of those who barely know how to screw in a light bulb & might truly benefit from some guidance. Hubby and I often just shake our heads at the things people just throw away when it could easily be repaired. We are such a "throw away" society, which is truly sad.

    Warm hugs,
    Carol

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    1. Handy men are the best, Carol…and we agree…fix it if possible. I was raised by a very frugal mom. Nothing went to waste, she and my dad grew up during the depression years . So you can imagine…

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  19. WOW, I never knew they made them. For our next house I have to remember that. I only had one extra hole in our sink and we put a filtered water faucet there.

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    1. My sister has that feature and it’s great! Ours is on the fridge…not quite as convenient! :)

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  20. It looks fabulous! I would have never guessed it is easy to change. Great tutorial!

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    1. Excellent! That's just the response I was hoping for, Lynn!! :) Thanks!

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  21. Well, aren't you clever to have replace it yourself.

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    1. Well, myself with a little husband help!! :) Two sets of hands made it a lot easier!

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  22. Such a great post on a can do attitude too! I love your DIY's:)
    Happy to see you at TOHOT!
    Jemma

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    1. Thanks Jemma! I married a DIY guy. That helps! ;)

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  23. Kim,
    Your faucet is just gorgeous. I can see why you wouldn't want to replace it even if it were not possible to just replace the soap dispenser. Great explanation of how to do the replacement.

    Judith

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    1. Thank you, Judith! I really do like that faucet, even after all these years. :)

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  24. A great save Kim! I am a bit late to the TOHOT party due to my college semester finals but I'm so glad that I didn't miss this. Have a wonderful week.

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  25. One thing to watch out for with soap dispensers that have plastic threaded shanks is that they get brittle over time. I had one with a brass pump head but the flange and threaded shank were plastic. The shank developed a crack (even though I never handled the underneath parts after installation since I always refilled from the top of the sink) after 4 years. Fortunately, I noticed the crack during a refill session and so was able to avoid a full bottle of soap dropping and spilling on the cabinet floor.

    I'm now looking for an all-metal (pump head, flange and threaded shank) soap dispenser.

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    1. Thanks for the tip...that could be a very messy situation and one that could go unnoticed for a long time. :)

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