Soap dishes: how to choose the best one from the abundance of designs, shapes and materials. How to quickly make a soap dish with your own hands: improving the interior of the bathroom Homemade soap dish for soap

A soap dish is an essential attribute of any bathroom. Nowadays people are increasingly moving away from classic soap bars in favor of more convenient liquid soap, which can be poured into the dispenser. However, progress does not stand still, and now you can find on sale such a miracle of technology as a contactless soap dish. Just imagine - you put your hand up, and soap and magic immediately pour on it, and that’s all, isn’t it?

Magic is magic, and a contactless soap dish is a very real device that you can assemble yourself without much difficulty. By decorating such a soap dish in a beautiful case and replacing the old manual dispenser, you can make the process of washing your hands fun and enjoyable even for the most dirty person. So, go ahead, get to work, or rather, get your soldering iron!

First, let's look at the diagram and try to understand how it all works. The whole circuit consists of two pieces - an IR signal transmitter and a receiver of the same IR signal. More precisely, these are two different schemes that are designed to work together. Those. then, when nothing prevents the transmitter from illuminating the receiver with a signal, the relay is turned off, the soap does not flow.

As soon as we bring our hand, which needs to be washed, the visible connection between them is broken, the receiver loses the signal, the relay opens, the pump starts, the soap flows. This is the magic. Regarding the pump - I used a simple diaphragm pump bought on Aliexpress, you can use any one that is capable of pumping thick soap and is suitable in size.

Transmitter circuit

A few words about the IR signal transmitter. It is based on the NE556 chip, which is essentially a milked 555 timer. If a regular timer continuously generates pulses, this one creates bursts of pulses. For some time there are impulses, for some time they are not, and all this happens very, very quickly, you won’t have time to blink an eye. The frequency of the pulses themselves is 36 kHz. Electric current is converted into infrared light thanks to IR LEDs HL1 and HL2, which can be easily found in remote controls remote control. For our purposes, one LED is enough, so the second one can be safely removed, but resistor R2 should definitely be changed to a higher resistance one, for example, 1 kOhm. The power of the emitted signal will depend on its rating. Because The distance from the receiver to the transmitter in our case is not at all great, excess power will only do harm.

Receiver circuit

So, we've sorted out the transmitter, now let's move on to the receiver. Its key link is the TSOP 1736 IR receiver. You can use any other similar receivers, the main thing is that they are designed for a signal frequency of 36 or 38 kHz; the easiest way to pick them out is from a dead TV. When the LED transmitting the signal shines on this same TSOP receiver, the voltage at its output is zero (log. 0), accordingly, the field-effect transistor VT1 is closed, the relay is de-energized, the pump is de-energized, and the soap dish is in standby mode. As soon as someone's palm gets in the way of the light transmitted by the transmitter, the TSOP receiver stops receiving bursts of pulses, the voltage at its output rises (logic 1), the transistor opens, supplies voltage to the relay, which, in turn, starts the pump. To stop the flow of soap, simply remove your hand. The HL1 LED signals the supply of soap. The operating principle is clearly shown in the following picture:

The supply voltage for both the receiver and transmitter is 12 volts. The good thing about the scheme is that it operates clearly, without any delays. You can substitute and then remove your hand without fear that a stray drop of soap will fall past. Photo of the device I assembled:

Happy assembly to everyone!

Discuss the article HOMEMADE SOAP DISH FOR LIQUID SOAP

Today, stores sell all sorts of soap: solid, liquid, packaged in beautiful bottles, and shaped like elegant flower petals. Fragrant with various aromas: from caramel and chocolate to rose, fresh cucumber and sea breeze. Choose - I don’t want to. But in order for a piece of soap or liquid substance to serve for a long time and not lose its appearance, you need to choose the right soap dish.

There is, of course, a sink where you can put a bar of soap. But this is done only in public bathrooms (and even then not in all). After all, it’s not very beautiful, and it’s very inconvenient. Wet soap slips, falls into the sink (or even onto the floor), softens and takes on an unsightly appearance. A soap dish is another matter. Neat, comfortable, does not spoil the design, it can even decorate it when combined with other accessories.

Let's start with this - a harmonious composition. And we will select the soap dish at the same time as other items. For example, a barbell and a curtain, a cup for brushes. It’s optimal if it’s all in the same style. Manufacturers do just that, producing entire kits and kits (we'll talk about this a little later).
We also look at the size of the bathroom. If there is enough space, you can buy an elegant and voluminous table or wall item. And when maximum compactness is required, we prefer models that do not take up excess space. Hanging it above, placing it on the mirror or on the sink.

Photo of an unusual soap dish

Types of products

For different types of soap

Some people prefer to use solid soap, while others prefer liquid soap.

For the latter, you can purchase both elegant bottles with dispensers and wall-mounted dispensers.
There is also a relatively new product - soap shavings. Special dispensers are also produced for it.

So consider the interests of family members. By the way, if they diverge, you can purchase a set containing soap dishes for different types soap

The now popular touch soap dish is an excellent invention for daily hygiene procedures. This will be discussed in the following video:

Mounting methods

Tabletop

For solid soap, these will be all kinds of classic soap dishes, rectangular or oval, as well as fancy shapes. They can be placed on a washbasin or shelf. Simple models may have a top lid and are suitable for travel. Often there is a liner or special bulges inside (so that the soap does not become soggy).

For example, the oval porcelain snow-white model “Spirella Opera” (Switzerland) is equipped with four semicircular protrusions inside. Price – 889 rubles. The rectangular beige model “Spirella Retro” with the same option costs the same.
Various designer desktop products are also produced over complex design, which don’t even look very much like a soap dish. For example, the “Classic Gold” model from the German brand “Hayta” resembles an elegant table lamp. On a stand made of golden metal with a convex ornament rests a beautiful figured bowl made of frosted glass. This is where the soap is placed. The price is “biting” - 4.6 thousand rubles.
As for liquid soap, tabletop products for it are made in general style the rest are bottles with dispensers. They are also called dispensers. Models with a shiny chrome finish look stylish. Like the Ambiente Elite AX72851 dispenser from the Italian company Bagno&Associati. Its height is 23.7 centimeters, diameter – 6 centimeters, price – 6 thousand rubles.

Tabletop soap dish for bathroom made of silicone (China)

Wall-mounted

Such a product can be rigidly attached to the wall or be removable. The latter option may, for example, be a metal ring (fixed) into which a bottle of liquid soap is inserted. The design is original and comfortable.

An example is the chrome-plated “Kalkgrund” model from Ikea, which costs only 300 rubles. For 600 rubles you can purchase a dispenser from the same series.

Photo of the wall-mounted soap dish “Kalkgrund” from Ikea

Magnetic

In this case, a magnet is built into the design of the holder, and a special metal part(included in the kit). Due to this connection, a piece of soap floats in the air, which is very practical. It dries well, which means it is used more economically.

An example of a fashionable and stylish magnetic variation is the chrome-plated brass model “Nostalgy” from the popular Czech brand “FBS”. Price – 2.2 thousand rubles.

Magnetic soap dish in the bathroom

On suction cups

More often, lightweight plastic soap dishes with vacuum suction cups are produced. They can be attached to tiles or to a mirror.

An example is the snow-white “Stugvik” model from Ikea made of ABS plastic with an insert equipped with relief stripes. The shape is rectangular. Price – 300 rubles.

Soap dish with suction cups "Stugvik" from Ikea

Product-grid

It can be either tabletop or wall-mounted. In the latter case, you need to hang the product so that there is a washbasin or bathtub below. After all, wet soap will drip water through the grate.

The thinner the bars of the soap dish grate, the faster the piece of soap dries. The most popular such soap dishes are wall-mounted chrome ones.

By the way, they can also be on a suction cup. Like a wall-mounted oval model of a German-made “Wenko Super-Loc” soap dish with a holder and two suction cups. Its price is a little more than a thousand rubles.
And here is a tabletop soap dish-lattice, slightly similar to a hammock and standing steadily on four legs. The elegant Czech model “FBS RYNA RYN 037” costs 1.2 thousand rubles.

Modern tabletop soap dish in the shape of a fish

Manufacturing materials

Metal

In addition to stainless steel, bronze and brass are also used - both with and without chrome plating. In the latter case, products are made for classic and retro interiors. Like the brass Italian model “ROSE” (brand “Art & Max”), made in the shape of a rose flower. Available in bronze and blackened silver. Costs 2.8 thousand rubles.

A more modern chrome soap dish is an oval tabletop model from Ikea from the Kalkgrund series, which has an insert with a charming convex embossing and a hole for draining water in the middle. You can buy soap dishes for the bathroom in online stores for 400 rubles.

Metal wall-mounted soap dish Veragio

Plastic

The most inexpensive products are made of plastic, which is easy to clean. They are very diverse. If the soap dish breaks or gets boring, you won’t mind throwing it away.

Cute budget option– again from Ikea. Tabletop transparent deep turquoise plastic soap dish for Svartsjön soap with convex bars inside will cost only 100 rubles.

Soap dish "Svartsjön" from IKEA

Glass

Mainly used tempered glass, so that the products are not only hygienic, but also durable. And beautiful. Recently, there has been a tendency to replace glass with acrylic - more modern material, which sometimes looks no worse, but is stronger.

An example of a glass soap dish is the oval domestic model “Aquaton Oxford”. This wall-mounted soap dish is finished in brass and chrome and costs 470 rubles.
Desktop soap dish – European model “Harmonie” (brand “Artwelle”). It also includes brass parts covered in brushed chrome. Price – 1.7 thousand rubles.

Modifications, additions and kits

What to buy for a soap dish? Many will answer this question without hesitation. A glass for brushes, a wall-mounted soap dispenser for liquid soap, perhaps a mirror. For convenience, manufacturers have combined these products (or some of them) into sets and sell them in sets. It's cheaper too, by the way. Or you can purchase all one item from one series.

One of the most economical options is the plastic white and red Varpan set from Ikea. It has a glass, a dispenser, and a simple tabletop soap dish. And everything will cost only 79 rubles (on promotion).
And the budget white Stugvik series, also plastic, allows you to buy the necessary products (which are all attached with suction cups) one at a time. In addition to a cup, dispenser and soap dish, for 500 rubles you can purchase a small (21 by 30 centimeters) mirror with hooks at the bottom.

However, if there is no need to save money, you can pay attention to a series of accessories made in German, Italian, and Swiss.

How to make a soap dish with your own hands?

And this section is for creative people. Those who don’t like to surround themselves with ready-made things. Please:

If you want, fashion a soap dish out of polymer clay. Any shape you like.
Or take a plastic bottle, cut off the bottom and decorate the edges in the shape of a flower. And then spray paint it.
You can also from plastic bottle cut off a small side convex rectangular part and place it on four legs. In this case, the bulge should be facing down. Legs - any (from pieces of the same bottle, from wooden sticks, from stiff wire). In general, whatever is at hand.

And finally, one piece of advice. Unfortunately, water often stagnates in beautiful glass soap dishes. Let's remove this drawback by taking a diamond crown and making a neat hole in the center.

The following video will help you make a soap dish with your own hands from superplastic:

Even more original ideas for creating soap dishes at home contains the video below:

To make it we will need:

Transparent plastic bottle;

Pencil;

Ruler;

Making a soap dish

First, rinse and dry the bottle. Place the bottle and soap next to each other. This will help you decide how long the future soap dish will be.

Use a pencil to draw two lines on each side of the jar.

These stripes that you draw will serve to form the legs of the soap dish. Their width should be about one and a half centimeters. In order to draw the lines, you can use a ruler or soft tape measure so that they are even and straight.

Use a knife to cut the bottle. Cut the bottle into two halves with a knife along the taped seam. After this, one of the halves must be trimmed along the edges, cutting off the bottom and neck. Cut along the outside lines. After the workpiece is partially ready, cut the bottle according internal lines, cutting short strips. This way you will have two legs and a rounded stand for the soap dish.

Now place the base on a flat surface and apply glue to its edges and bottom. Glue the legs. To be honest, I would first recommend placing the legs on any flat surface, and only then placing the base on top of them. This method will help glue the legs to the soap dish so that everything is level and so that it does not wobble.