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Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

**We now have an improved version of our mason jar soap dispensers available on Etsy and a post about them here!**

I finally made my mason jar soap dispensers!  This project has been on my to do list for quite a while!


First, I found a couple canning jars at the thrift store in two different sizes that would work as hand soap dispensers for the bathroom and kitchen.  I've seen a few blogs where they painted their mason jars so I thought I would give it a try.  I chose a basic glossy white spray paint and sprayed it to the outside of the jars.

I then took a nail and hammered it into the center of the jars' lids to start a hole.  I used needle nose pliers to pull the tin back enough to fit the soap dispenser pump.  Here you can see the lid after I made a big enough hole for the pump.  (I also used the hammer to flatten out the sharp edges on the underside of the lid for safety.)


I then used a hot glue gun to glue my pump into place on the lid.


At this point I spray painted the lid and pump to match and then screwed the lid onto my mason jars.

I used an oil-rubbed bronze spray paint on the lid and pump for the kitchen to match the faucet I hope to one day have :o)


And a satin nickel on the pump and lid for the bathroom to match the fixtures in there.


One problem I did run across was the paint on the movable part of the pump is not a good idea as you can see here:


The paint will rub-off.  I'm still trying to think of a fix but the best idea is to just not paint here.  If you can find a pump in the color you want and then just paint the jar lid to match I think that would be your best bet.

As for me, I'll just have to live with the peeling paint unless I can find a remedy.  But I still think the dispensers are really cute!

Linking up with Young House Love and Bower Power

83 comments:

  1. SO cute! How about a brown sharpie marker to color the moving part of the pump?
    ~ Mary B

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  2. Love it! Where did you find the pumps?

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  3. Where did you purchase the pump attachments??

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  4. Thanks! I'll have to try the sharpie. I used my old soap dispenser pumps that I bought at Target a couple years ago. I've also seen some at thrift stores and have seen people just use the plastic ones that come on the diposable soap dispensers. Good luck and thanks for stopping by!
    Linda :o)

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  5. That's awesome, will be doing this!

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  6. Super cute idea! I love it!

    Maybe consider doing several coats of the ORB? Or find some kind of protectant coat. I've had the same issues with my spray painted door knobs.

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  7. SUCH a cute idea! I just love these :)

    xo Catharine @ Your Modern Couple

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  8. Thanks everyone for all the nice comments!
    Linda :o)

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  9. Did you do anything to protect the inside of the jars from the spray paint? I love the look and idea of these, but my paranoid, safety-obsessed mind keeps thinking about spray paint leeching into the soap.

    Very, very cute.

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  10. Thanks!
    I actually spray painted the outside of the jars because I was also worried about the paint leeching into the soap. I used a glossy white spray paint and I think it looks great, a nice shiny finish.
    Linda :o)

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  11. Hi, Where did you get the pump attachments? I have some on a vintage water spritzer my grandmother gave me, but I don't want to have to tear that apart in order to get the pump. Thanks!

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  12. Thanks for stopping by my blog! I had some old soap dispensers I had bought from Target that I used the pumps from. I've also seen some at thrift stores for cheaper, or I've seen some people use plain old plastic disposable ones. Hope that helps. Thanks again!
    Linda :o)

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  13. I just want to add that I found the same pump (or one really close) at Target yesterday. They were 12.99.

    Thank you for the tutorial! :)

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  14. I have one of those $12.99 dispensers from Target that have the same pumps, and the spout part of the pump started to disintegrate after awhile..almost rotting away. It was really disappointing. :(

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  15. Do you think that you might have better results on a plastic pump using spray paint for plastics? Do you think it would still come off?

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  16. Yep, those are the dispensers from Target. I've had mine for a few years so I didn't feel bad about taking it apart and using it here. My pump is still holding up fine, although they mostly only get used by Brian and I so maybe if you had a larger household that would explain the disintegration? As far as spray painting plastic I'm not sure how that would work. I guess it depends on how tight the pump mechanism is. My smaller pump doesn't seem to have the same problem rubbing off the paint so maybe it depends more on the thickness of paint? Worth a try on the plastic pump since those are pretty inexpensive.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog!
    Linda :o)

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  17. It would be cool even without paint and using your left over plastic pumps. Thank you for the great idea!

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  18. Before spraypainting the pump, you could wipe the movable part with olive oil so the paint won't adhere, then wipe off any paint when done... then use the sharpie idea :) Great project!~

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  19. Linda@ourlovelybungalow.comAugust 30, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    I tried the sharpie and it seems to work! Thanks for the suggestion!
    Linda :o)

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  20. Hi, Linda, I'm new to your blog -- just discovered it through Pinterest -- & thought this idea was so cute! I "snooped" around your blog just a bit & now I'm a new follower. I hope maybe you will follow me back. Have a great weekend!
    :) CAS

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  21. Just a tip ... You can change color of any metal without paint... Put lid and pump in to a plastic container ...cover with ammonia put lid on it... Wait a few days ... It will turn black if it was brass ... Brown if most any other color ... The longer you soak ... Darker it gets!! Works better with brass.

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  22. I shared your ideas at:
    http://thezkids.blogspot.com/2011/11/lots-of-ideas.html
    Please grab a button. Thanks!

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  23. HI! Stopping by from Show and tell saturday. I love these! They have been on my to do list also. Yours came out great. Where did you get your pumps? Also, I would love for you to share this at my Friday party. Its new so I would love for you to link up! :)

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  24. Check out this site to purchase very inexpensive soap dispenser tops:

    http://www.onedreamdesign.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=7_8&zenid=0aa14fd8fea799e86b6be67da2267cf1

    Fun idea! I love it!

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  25. I have the exact same dispenser from Target and after only a few months it has started to rust and rot away! I thought I was saving money and being eco friendly by not buying the disposable bottles. On the plus side though, I found pumps (without bottles) at Bed, Bath and Beyond for I believe only $2.99 and they come in all different colors of metal.

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  26. p.s. Love this idea and I will be trying it soon!

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  27. I went to the Dollar Tree and bought the glass soap dispenser with a fancy pumper, scored the pump with 80 grit sandpaper and sprayed it... Worked like a charm! I just threw the ugly glass dispensers they came on away... I know, wasteful :(

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  28. Awesome idea and since my grandson is named MASON I have to make one of these. Thanks for the directions!

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  29. Awesome idea:) If you go to Walmart and buy Classico spaghetti sauce (the best buy and taste in my book!), it will be the jar on the left side, the Mason Atlas jar:) So head on out there to get what will be become your favorite sauce and make lots of these for next Christmas!!!

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  30. Awesome idea:) If you go to Walmart and buy Classico spaghetti sauce (the best buy and taste in my book!), it will be the jar on the left side, the Mason Atlas jar:) So head on out there to get what will be become your favorite sauce and make lots of these for next Christmas!!!

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  31. you can also purchase single mason jars at hobby lobby.

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  32. I love this. I'm blogging about this and linking back to you, I hope you don't mind. :)

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  33. Also try scuffing up metal n app?y two coats

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  34. Sharing this on my Facebook page, from maggie's farm. Good job!!

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  35. My recommendation would be to buy a spray paint primer for metal and spray the pump and lid with the primer first. That will help your spray paint to adhere better. Love that pump you used!!

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    1. The problen isnt the paint not sticking its the two pieces of metal rubbing together.

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  36. Where did you get the pumps. I've been wanting to do this too, maybe I pinned this a while back, I don't know. I just couldn't figure out the pump part.

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  37. Where did you get the pumps. I've been wanting to do this too, maybe I pinned this a while back, I don't know. I just couldn't figure out the pump part.

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  38. For the new version of the dispensers I bought the pumps from www.onedreamdesign.com. The pumps on this blog post were old ones that I had bought from Target a while back.
    Hope that helps!
    Linda :o)

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  39. I LOVE THOSE YOU NEED TO SELL THEM ABORABLE CANT WAIT TO TRY IT

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  40. Try drilling a hole in the lid. It would be neater. (place the lid on a block of scrap wood, secure lid with clamp and then drill)

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  41. For the paint to stay on you need to treat the metal before hand with a product that gives it a little texture. It's a chemical you can get at the hardward store that you paint on and leave for a few minutes then rub off. Once your metal is dry, paint will adhere more easily and it won't rub off because it's been given microscopic texture that will grab on to the paint.

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  42. I'll have to find a nice pump and try this, I have a beautiful old blue mason jar just waiting for some attention. Oh, and if you take something rough like steel wool to metal before you spray paint it helps it still better.

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  43. I'm so pumped :D lol homemade Christmas!
    just found,Pinterest & What a blog is.:) love crafts.I really <3 your blog. Thank You,for sharing your ideas. <3 them.
    Vickie Smith
    sunflowers_458@hotmail.com

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  44. A friend of mine found this project of yours and shared it with me. I LOVE this idea, especially for the holidays. I plan on making these using red spray paint and plaid ribbon round the top.

    Thanks for sharing this great idea! I've shared it with my blog readers too at http://adesiretoinspire.blogspot.com/2012/11/mason-jar-soap-dispenser.html.

    Looking forward to following Our Lovely Bungalow. Cheers!

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  45. my son made them , you have to use plstic lids otherwise it gets rusty from canningjarlids, otherwise real cute

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  46. Bed Bath and Beyond sells very inexpensive soap dispenser pumps in oil rubbed bronze, brushed nickel, and chrome!

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    1. You were a life saver with this information! I bought them for $3.99 each!! Can't wait to do this!!

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  47. Hi Linda, I made these for Christmas gifts this year. I made my own lotion and left the jars as they were(my lotion was white). For the pump I bought Walmart brand liquid soap for .88 cents, but I hate the soap so I dumped it out and just used the pump. All the gals loved them. Thanks for the idea.

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  48. I have tried using the holes in the canning lids and have found that they rust in side the soap container. So, I used a plastic lid from a mayo-type jar.

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  49. Thanks for the tip! We have modified how we make them to prevent the rust here: http://www.ourlovelybungalow.com/2012/03/new-and-improved-mason-jar-soap.html because our first attempt had rust too.
    Thanks again!
    Linda :o)

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  50. I was looking for a cute idea for my friend's birthday. This is perfect and she will get such a kick out of it! Thank you!!

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  51. Sanding the metal down a bit might help the paint stay on. These are so cute and clever!

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  52. i noticed that the spray paint came off the top a bit because i accidentally dropped it, i have a plastic pump any ides...

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  53. Sanding and using a primer before the paint will help but I've still had to be careful with the painted jars to prevent the paint chipping. You can always retouch the paint as needed, that's what I've done with the one in my kitchen and it still looks pretty good :o)

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  54. Oh, and thanks Tina for suggesting the sanding! :o)

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  55. I have an idea. I think it would be cooler and more durable if the paint was on the inside of the jar. Depending on the size of the jar, I'd be surprised if you cant find yourself an empty bottled water or soda bottle (you may need to slice off the top) or something like that that which would fit in snuggly inside... just something to make yourself a liner. I'm actually thinking for a smaller one, those little stubby water bottles that hold like 5oz, might fit nicely all intact.

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  56. Also, all this talk about painting the pump is too much ... I bought a replacement pump top (for an expensive pump) for $3 at Lowes. I've also replaced a pump top by simply buying a whole soap pump at the dollar store, or even a really ugly clearance one (with a nice pump piece ... they are fairly standarized) in the clearance section at Target or Home Goods. Its easy to find a cheap clearance soap pump that you can scavenge the part from.

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  57. Thanks! Great idea about the liner, I do like how the painted jars look :o)

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  58. great tutorial, made one but never that nice, GREAT hints..

    Karen

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  59. GREAT idea and pretty project Linda! Thanks to everyone for their wonderful and helpful suggestions for improvement. I suggest that instead of pouring out the liquid soap in dispensers where you want to salvage the pump, you use it for making insecticidal soap for killing the bad insects on your green non-flowering, non-food plants - please be careful about using it around pets and kids since most soaps contain harmful chemicals.

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  60. :0) Great idea & advice

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  61. Hi!
    I tried looking on your Etsy page and didn't see any to order. Will you be making more?

    Thanks!
    Jessica

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  62. Did you try putting clear nail polish over the moving parts of the pump?

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  63. Great Idea, but if you just buy the metal pumps at onedreamdesign. com the aesthetics of the whole thing will look better...Great idea

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  64. Hi! I had the same problem with ORB until my contractor pointed out that Rustoleum (99% sure) makes a spray paint primer for metal. I used it on some chrome bath towel fixtures. If it isn't Rustoleum, it is definitely at Lowes. Not too expensive. They also make a spray paint just for plastic. I used black on some $4 plastic urns and now they look like cast iron on my front porch. Don't be afraid to look beyond just what color you are considering. :) Chances are, they make something for it!

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  65. just made one of these last night, was going to use it at our cabin. but decided to keep it here at home. but i will be making three more to use at the cabin. great idea and super easy, i left my jars clear, i used a soapthat matches my kitchen.

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  66. it gives your jar a more "funky" look, I'd leave it! Do you know if this will work or do they have pumps for the foaming soap? And where do you find the pumps???

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  67. I buy the pumps from www.onedreamdesign.com and they also have foaming soap pumps.
    :o)

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  68. what about clear acrylic nail polish they have it in matte also

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  69. I made mine last night. I got my Mason jar at the $1 store came with lid. I used the plastic pump from baby wash, as I have my kitchen done in lighthouses so I done one red and one blue. For dish soap and hand soap. I love them.

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  70. I just made a couple of these with plastic pumps from my old ones. Thanks for the idea. I didn't paint mine. My jars had a pretty texture and I went with it.

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  71. I just made one of these and am having an issue with the mason jar lid clicking everytime I pump it...its kind of annoying. Any ideas how to prevent this from happening??
    Thanks:)

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  72. I'm not sure about the clicking lid, I haven't come across that with any of the dispensers I made. Is the pump not tightly secured to the lid? Or maybe it is the type of pump you are using? Sorry I'm not much help, maybe someone else will leave a comment with a recommendation.

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  73. I'm pinning this. I can't believe you made them. They look like something you'd purchase. I'm glad someone asked where you got the pumps. That was going to be my question. And how great that they didn't cost you anything...just reusing ones from other dispensers. Very clever. Thanks for the idea. I hope I follow through on this one.

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  74. use a sealer so the paint doesn't rub off. you can find it at Michaels.

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  75. You can now buy plastic lids in both regular and wide mouth sizes, as well as canning jars at WalMart. It is very easy to drill out the hole in the plastic lids, you will never have rust and you can paint them.

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  76. You can buy plastic lids in both regular and wide mouth sizes as well as the canning jars at WalMart. The lids are easier to drill through, do not rust and can be painted or decorated very easily. I use the pumps out of the small hand soap containers that I buy on sale and if the tubing is not long enough I can get more tubing at my local hardware store or even the pet dept at WalMart (think fish tank tubing).

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