The in-counter soap dispenser that came with our kitchen faucet is rusted out and has been since the day it was installed. I mentioned it here several months ago. I did some investigating and the actual pump – where the soap comes out, not the attached canister – was the culprit. Replacing the canister with another container wouldn’t have solved the problem. I could have 1) replaced the entire dispenser which runs about $25 or 2) capped it off which runs about $4. I decided to cap it off.
My kids have a difficult time reaching the in-counter pump so, for now, capping the sink hole is the best option while my kids are little. I can always add an in-counter pump later on when all my little people are grown and I have too much time on my hands and don’t know what to do with myself.
I removed the pump at the counter and unscrewed the canister from the underside of the counter. I was left with a large nut on the underside of the counter which I removed with the help of a wrench. Then I was able to pull the body of the dispenser off the top of the counter.
Capping off the remaining hole was easy enough. I used a stainless steel cover that I bought at Home Depot for less than $4. It took me longer to find the cover in the store than it did for me to install it.
Hint: sink hole covers are in a plumbing aisle not the kitchen sink aisle. You’re welcome.
The cover consists of three parts: cap screw, pad, plastic nut. I sunk the cap into the hole and then from the underside of the sink I slipped the pad up and screwed the nut securely.
Instant gratification.
Even though the new cover isn’t perfectly flush with the counter, the portable soap dispenser does a good job of disguising it with its padded bottom.
Now my kids have no excuse not to wash their hands before dinner.
Yeeeaaaahhh. Riiiiiiiiiiight.
images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking
DIY, housekeeping