The 10 Best Shower Dispensers
Editor's Notes
February 08, 2021:
When it comes to shower dispensers there are a couple of features that are important to look for. Right off the bat you want to avoid any materials that are prone to rusting, which is why we have only recommended models made from either some form of plastic, stainless steel, or a combination of the two. Since many people may be placing these in their home, we made sure to look for attractive models, as evidenced by the sleek Simplehuman BT1029, Homepluz Square, Bosharon 3 Chamber, AlwinDeco RJ650B, as opposed to those ugly, low-class units you often see in commercial gyms. That being said some, like the Bosharon 3 Chamber and Anself Chuangdian, do have keyed locks, making them more than suitable for commercial use.
March 06, 2019:
Although we liked the look of the HotelSpa and Simplehuman models, their longevity is questionable, so we decided to remove them both. We then added the Luxitude Carbon Fiber; it's made of durable plastic despite the name that suggests it's crafted from metal. It's also plain and unassuming, so it won't stick out like a sore thumb. The only (small) drawback is that some folks have trouble reading the black print of the labels when applied to its black body. We also investigated models from the popular Better Living Products, adding the Aviva, Classic, and Ulti-Mate. The former two are straightforward, while the latter is more feature-laden. Finally, we decided to add the Anself Chuangdian despite its small size (it stands only about 7 inches tall and doesn't hold a lot). For those living in apartments or RVs, its diminutive nature might not necessarily be a bad thing.
Why Get A Shower Dispenser?
If you've ever spilled shampoo, then you know that it's roughly as slippery as a banana peel on Teflon, but with a dispenser, leaks are much less likely to happen.
Installing a shower dispenser in your bathroom might seem like the height of luxury. After all, tossing a community bar of soap into a mildewy corner of the shower was good enough for our forefathers, so shouldn't it be good enough for us?
One of the biggest advantages of a dispenser is it lets you eliminate a little bit of clutter. If you're like most people, your shower is already jam-packed with things like soap, shampoo, and conditioner. A dispenser lets you get rid of most of those bottles, giving you room to move freely — and preventing anyone from accusing you of being a hoarder.
It can also ensure you don't run out of soap at the worst possible time, as most dispensers make it easy to see exactly how much liquid you have left. You can also buy your liquid toiletries in bulk, saving you a few trips to the store and some cash.
They're a little bit safer than just keeping bottles lined up along the tub, as well. If you've ever spilled shampoo, then you know that it's roughly as slippery as a banana peel on Teflon, but with a dispenser, leaks are much less likely to happen. You can also forego the occasional pain of dropping a full bottle on your toe (although that is a fantastic way to wake yourself up in the morning).
Lastly, having a sleek, elegant dispenser on your wall is just more attractive than having a shower stall cluttered with bottles. It's a great way to impress guests, and helps your home look cleaner and better-organized.
Oh, and it's a great way to hide those embarrassing products you don't want anyone to know about. (I didn't even know they made a topical flatulence cream...)
Bar Vs. Liquid Soap
It's amazing the sorts of things people will develop loyalty towards: brands of soft drink, makes of car, and which color laundry will score more points on Sunday. So, it should come as no surprise, then, that many people have strong opinions on whether bar or liquid soap is better.
Generally speaking, liquid soap is less likely to dry out your skin, and many liquid options have built-in moisturizers.
The debate gets most heated on the subject of which type of soap actually gets you cleaner, and we're here to settle that debate once and for all: it's probably a tie. While it may seem like bacteria is more likely to live on a bar of soap and then hop on to your skin from there, studies have shown that it's not something to worry about. If all you care about is killing germs, then you probably won't go wrong with any soap you choose.
But what about the soap's effect on the skin? Generally speaking, liquid soap is less likely to dry out your skin, and many liquid options have built-in moisturizers. However, keep in mind that scientists estimate that there are roughly a trillion brands of soap at the store, and you can almost certainly find one that won't dry you out if you'd like to stick with a bar.
Lack of moisture isn't the only thing that can upset sensitive skin, of course. Fragrances are another big allergen, and it can be very difficult to find a liquid soap that's not scented in some way. If your skin can't handle perfume, you'll probably want to find a bar that works for you.
The type of lather you can work up differs, as well. While it's much easier to whip up a thick, foamy lather with liquid soap, it's also harder to regulate the amount you use. Then again, if you get a dispenser, this shouldn't be a problem.
At the end of the day, there's no wrong answer. Both can get you clean, and both can leave you smelling fantastic.
Other Ways To Organize Your Shower
While putting a soap dispenser in your shower will go a long way towards tidying up the place, it's far from the only change you can make to eliminate clutter.
Bringing in a shower caddy is the obvious first step. While your dispenser will get a lot of bottles out of your way, there's still a lot of other stuff you need, like razors, scrubbers, shower caps, and who knows what else. A shower caddy gives you an easy place to put all that stuff so that it's out of your way, yet still easily accessible.
Also, it's absolutely amazing how many things you can hang from suction cups.
Your tub can benefit from a little organization, as well. If you like to read or watch Netflix while in the bath, they make bathtub caddies that allow you to do so without getting your book or tablet drenched.
If you have kids, then you already know how many toys are absolutely essential for bath time. You probably also know how easy it is to knock those toys on the floor, and how painful they are to step on. If you add a few storage containers around the edge of the tub — and you can do this by simply hanging them from a tension rod — then you can keep those toys contained while still being easy for your rugrats to find.
Also, it's absolutely amazing how many things you can hang from suction cups. You can use them to stick a shower radio to the wall or hang a squeegee for easy cleaning, and they're a great way to keep your loofah off the dirty ground.
With a little ingenuity, you can transform your shower from a Jenga-like tower of bottles and creams into a sleek, organized area that you're proud to show off to guests.
Of course, guests don't get to use your shower. They get to use the one down the hall that you surrendered to the mildew years ago.