How To Install A Sink Soap Dispenser

If you have been struggling to remove your old soap dispenser-you have come to the right place. Replacing your sink-mounted soap dispenser would be a rather easy repair if it were not for over-built fixtures of the past that used large finely-threaded brass nuts that were torqued tightly. I had actually tried to remove this once to see how big the hole was but abandoned the idea when I couldn't get the nut to budge. Now I have to remove it. This repair barely warranted a write-up if I had not ran across one trick that made the repair MUCH easier. If you don't believe me, check out these reader comments:

Oh, thank you thank you thank you! I have been fighting with this thing for hours, and I even went to the hardware store to get another tool. That still didn't work. Then I looked and looked on youtube for a useful video. Nothing. Then I saw your repair. BANG. Done in 10 seconds! –Sara

Here's another Grandma that you've helped! … Your trick worked in 10 sec. flat! … I am doing the happy dance. Thanks a million! –Diana

Honestly, you saved me countless more hours wrestling with this thing underneath the sink. Thank you! –Rick

How to Replace a Sink-Mounted Soap Dispenser Without Putting a Wrench on the Nut

Tools Needed:

Channel Lock Pliers

Parts Needed:

chrome soap dispenser
Scotch-Brite Scrub Sponge (to clean the sink before installing the new soap dispenser)

The only reason I'm replacing ours is because the tip has corroded to the point where it is very sharp:

The underneath side of the dispenser was corroded and very sharp

Step 1: Pick a replacement sink-mounted soap dispenser.

You need to consider whether you want a nickel (brushed) look or chrome. Our sink (was) chrome but it looks a bit brushed with age but I went with a chrome soap dispenser from amazon.com (click for the product link) that had 171 reviews averaging 4.5/5 stars.

Delta RP1001 Sink Mounted Soap Dispenser

Step 2: Remove your old soap dispenser.

The only thing that stands in your way is the nut on the back. Most modern soap dispensers have a nylon nut that is intended to be installed and uninstalled by hand but mine had a brass nut on it and was almost impossible to reach up there, see where I was working, and loosen the corroded thing:

The old soap dispenser with a tightly torqued brass nut (excuse the poor focus)

Our cabinet has a shelf under the sink so it makes accessing this nut very difficult with the only tool I really have to loosen it, a channel-lock wrench:

The old soap dispenser under our sink
(don't ask what those two capped drains are sticking out of the wall–I didn't plumb this house)

I tried and tried but I couldn't see the nut and reach my arms up in there to get the wrench on that nut and then it occurred to me that there was an easier way since I was replacing the current soap dispenser.

Step 3: The Trick—put a wrench on the top of the soap dispenser fixture.

Because we are throwing away the current fixture we can just put a wrench on the top of the fixture to break loose the nut. Turn it counter-clockwise to loosen:

The Trick–put your wrench on the top to break free the nut.

Once I broke loose the nut by putting the wrench on the top I was able to unscrew the nut from below using my fingers. It was quite uncomfortable holding the top and unscrewing the nut from below at the same time but I have long arms–you might need to put a vice grip (or a friend) on the top to hold it still. There was a bunch of caked-on soap and corrosion on the threads so it made difficult turning.

Step 4: Clean the sink.

Before installing the new soap dispenser make sure to clean the sink around the hole:

Corrosion where the old soap dispenser was located.

Carefully clean the area using a scotch-bright scratchy sponge (scrub in the direction of the grain on the stainless steel). Mine cleaned up nicely:

Nice and clean for the new soap dispenser.

Step 5: Install the new soap dispenser.

Take off the bottle and then the nut. Make sure the rubber washer stays on top.

Nut removed from the new soap dispenser

You only need to hand tighten the nut. make sure you put the flat side up (towards the sink bottom).

Underneath view of the newly installed sink mounted soap dispenser

Step 6: Screw on the new bottle.

I tend to turn things like this backwards until I feel/hear the threads jump down (indicating you are ready to start) and then turn it tight. It helps you keep from cross-threading nuts. This bottle is pretty flimsy so you don't want to tear it up.

The soap bottle installed

Step 7: Fill with soap and finish the dishes.

The dispenser I purchased came with a funnel but I just shoot the soap straight into it without, no funnel necessary. You could take the bottle off and fill it but it's a pain to get it back on and like I shared before, the bottle is not made of thick plastic so I would install it and leave it alone (and it should serve you just fine that way). Mission accomplished.

Amazon Associate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click on an affiliate link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. The price of the item is the same whether it is an affiliate link or not. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will add value to Share Your Repair readers. By using the affiliate links, you are helping support Share Your Repair, and I genuinely appreciate your support.