Finding a glass bottle for foaming soap after eating what's inside it
February 5, 2022 1:48 AM Subscribe
I want to buy a drink or condiment that happens to come inside a glass bottle and then re-use the glass bottle for foaming soap--rather than buy an empty glass container for the foaming soap pump. The difficulty lies within the diameter of the pump.
The plastic container of the foaming soap dispenser does not hold up well after a few refills. It is clear plastic so I can see when it's running low, but despite frequently wiping it clean, it gets dingy real quick.
So I would like to get a glass bottle instead, wherein after I eat what's in the bottle, I then reuse it for foaming soap.
The difficulty is finding a glass encased drink that has a 1 3/8 inch mouth to fit the foaming pump. Basically I need the size of its mouth to be that of a gallon size water jug.
I've tried:
Kewpie Deep Roasted Sesame Dressing bottle, too small, couldn't get pass the foaming mechanism at the bottom of the pump.
Starbucks Frappuccino bottle, didn't fit, gave it away, can't remember if it was too big or small.
I'm aware of the mason jar hack but I'd rather not cut into lids. Looking for something that fits just right.
The plastic container of the foaming soap dispenser does not hold up well after a few refills. It is clear plastic so I can see when it's running low, but despite frequently wiping it clean, it gets dingy real quick.
So I would like to get a glass bottle instead, wherein after I eat what's in the bottle, I then reuse it for foaming soap.
The difficulty is finding a glass encased drink that has a 1 3/8 inch mouth to fit the foaming pump. Basically I need the size of its mouth to be that of a gallon size water jug.
I've tried:
Kewpie Deep Roasted Sesame Dressing bottle, too small, couldn't get pass the foaming mechanism at the bottom of the pump.
Starbucks Frappuccino bottle, didn't fit, gave it away, can't remember if it was too big or small.
I'm aware of the mason jar hack but I'd rather not cut into lids. Looking for something that fits just right.
Maybe the Voss glass water bottles, but I think that may be too wide.You may have luck in the Asian condiments with chili oils and fish sauces. Maybe a glass container of a specific vinegar but I can't think Iof anything off hand that's perfect.
There are many companies selling glass bottles for both regular and foaming hand soap specifically with the idea of less waste. Some come filled with soap which you could use and then fill with your preferred brand. You could buy a bottle and keep your additional pump, because those things do break on occasion with additional reuse. You may try apothecary stores to just buy the bottle itself so you don't have excess waste.
I'm not sure you are easily going to find a bottle using food the right proportions. If there was I'm pretty sure it would be on the internet right up there with the Mason jar hack. In addition, randomly there are handblown glass soap dispensers on etsy and such if you would feel better supporting a local, small artist instead of buying a jar from some large corporate retailer.
posted by AlexiaSky at 3:15 AM on February 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
There are many companies selling glass bottles for both regular and foaming hand soap specifically with the idea of less waste. Some come filled with soap which you could use and then fill with your preferred brand. You could buy a bottle and keep your additional pump, because those things do break on occasion with additional reuse. You may try apothecary stores to just buy the bottle itself so you don't have excess waste.
I'm not sure you are easily going to find a bottle using food the right proportions. If there was I'm pretty sure it would be on the internet right up there with the Mason jar hack. In addition, randomly there are handblown glass soap dispensers on etsy and such if you would feel better supporting a local, small artist instead of buying a jar from some large corporate retailer.
posted by AlexiaSky at 3:15 AM on February 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
These bottles have the same lid size as mine and the same volume, but are shorter and fatter.
posted by jamjam at 3:54 AM on February 5, 2022
posted by jamjam at 3:54 AM on February 5, 2022
It might be easiest to purchase a reusable glass pump hand soap bottle kit like this.
posted by ojocaliente at 4:32 AM on February 5, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by ojocaliente at 4:32 AM on February 5, 2022 [8 favorites]
Best answer: I have a pair of readymade mason jar diameter foaming hand soap pumps that work fine.
posted by enfa at 5:03 AM on February 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by enfa at 5:03 AM on February 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
Kombucha bottles (the taller 16oz kind, like GTs uses) might work.
posted by needs more cowbell at 5:26 AM on February 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by needs more cowbell at 5:26 AM on February 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
GT’s kombucha drinks come in glass bottles with wide mouths.
Jinx.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:32 AM on February 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
Jinx.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:32 AM on February 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
I prefer foaming dish detergent, and Dawn comes in a very sturdy, though not really attractive, plastic container. The 1st one I used lasted 5+ years. It cleans up okay.
Whatever foaming soap you used, if the container is round, can be cut so that the cut diameter matches a mason jar, and a standard ring will hold it in place. Or, instead of trying to cut the metal lid, cut a piece of plastic, a milk jug would work, to fit the diameter, and cut a hole for the pump. You'd have to fiddle with it, because you need the screw top from the original container under the lid.
I just buy foaming soaps hoping they can be refilled and the pump usually craps out pretty fast; what foaming soap do you use where the pump lasts well?
posted by theora55 at 7:21 AM on February 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
Whatever foaming soap you used, if the container is round, can be cut so that the cut diameter matches a mason jar, and a standard ring will hold it in place. Or, instead of trying to cut the metal lid, cut a piece of plastic, a milk jug would work, to fit the diameter, and cut a hole for the pump. You'd have to fiddle with it, because you need the screw top from the original container under the lid.
I just buy foaming soaps hoping they can be refilled and the pump usually craps out pretty fast; what foaming soap do you use where the pump lasts well?
posted by theora55 at 7:21 AM on February 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
I beg your pardon, the lids on those jars are 53 x 400, where the 53 is the outside diameter of the lid in mm, whereas the lid size I believe you're looking for is 45 x 400 which fits on a bottle with an opening the inside diameter of which is very close to 1 3/8".
posted by jamjam at 8:19 AM on February 5, 2022
posted by jamjam at 8:19 AM on February 5, 2022
rather than buy an empty glass container for the foaming soap pump
What about the 3rd option of buying a foaming soap in a good bottle you like and just reusing that?
I have literally used one of these bottles (click 500ml (not refill) for the pump version) for more than 10 years without a problem. It is not glass but looks like it, is a breeze to clean, and never leaks. Admittedly the initial outlay isn't cheap but it is good soap and going forward your guests will always think you've got great soap regardless of what you refill it with (I use Mrs Meyers).
Though I understand the desire to avoid plastic, since it's not single-use, I don't think it's a problem. You will surely regret going with glass if you ever drop it. Small pieces of glass hide well on a tile floor and cleanup of that much soap is a pain in the butt.
posted by dobbs at 10:15 AM on February 5, 2022 [3 favorites]
What about the 3rd option of buying a foaming soap in a good bottle you like and just reusing that?
I have literally used one of these bottles (click 500ml (not refill) for the pump version) for more than 10 years without a problem. It is not glass but looks like it, is a breeze to clean, and never leaks. Admittedly the initial outlay isn't cheap but it is good soap and going forward your guests will always think you've got great soap regardless of what you refill it with (I use Mrs Meyers).
Though I understand the desire to avoid plastic, since it's not single-use, I don't think it's a problem. You will surely regret going with glass if you ever drop it. Small pieces of glass hide well on a tile floor and cleanup of that much soap is a pain in the butt.
posted by dobbs at 10:15 AM on February 5, 2022 [3 favorites]
This says that it would work on a whiskey or wine bottle.
posted by pinochiette at 10:27 AM on February 5, 2022
posted by pinochiette at 10:27 AM on February 5, 2022
Glass and plastic containers tend to use different (incompatible) thread profiles. There are a bewildering number of container lid sizes and threads. Diameter is just the start: thread profile and possibly taper are variables too.
posted by scruss at 11:29 AM on February 5, 2022 [10 favorites]
posted by scruss at 11:29 AM on February 5, 2022 [10 favorites]
If 3d printing hasn't occurred to you, then maybe take a moment to think if someone in your life would be able to do such a thing.
If not, heat moldable plastic works well for this kind of thing. Get it hot (in warm water), wrap around glass bottle, get the outside hot (with hairdryer?), Thread on soap pump.
This is assuming your pump is wider than your bottle.
posted by Acari at 2:01 PM on February 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
If not, heat moldable plastic works well for this kind of thing. Get it hot (in warm water), wrap around glass bottle, get the outside hot (with hairdryer?), Thread on soap pump.
This is assuming your pump is wider than your bottle.
posted by Acari at 2:01 PM on February 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
Glass and plastic containers tend to use different (incompatible) thread profiles.
This is true in general but there are a surprising number of exceptions.
For example I do something similar with my dish soap to what jyorraku wants to do with his foaming soap. I put the dish soap in 1/3 liter green glass Perrier bottles, and not only is the dispensing cap of the 32 oz. dish detergent bottle compatible with those Perrier bottles, an older style cap I like but haven’t seen for a while, where you press down on one edge of the cap and the other side pops up exposing an opening for the soap to come out of (which may have been discontinued for child safety reasons), and which I saved from other brands of dish detergent as well as shampoo, and which are made of polypropylene and can be sterilized by boiling, in contrast to the polyethylene caps I see on my and most other dish and shampoo bottles these days, is also perfectly compatible with the Perrier bottles.
Also, every lid I’ve ever gotten on a plastic bottle of vitamins or herbal supplements will fit on at least one size of brown glass vitamin bottle. Dressings and sauces from small to medium sized manufacturers also tend to use standard mason jar diameter and threaded lids.
posted by jamjam at 2:35 PM on February 5, 2022
This is true in general but there are a surprising number of exceptions.
For example I do something similar with my dish soap to what jyorraku wants to do with his foaming soap. I put the dish soap in 1/3 liter green glass Perrier bottles, and not only is the dispensing cap of the 32 oz. dish detergent bottle compatible with those Perrier bottles, an older style cap I like but haven’t seen for a while, where you press down on one edge of the cap and the other side pops up exposing an opening for the soap to come out of (which may have been discontinued for child safety reasons), and which I saved from other brands of dish detergent as well as shampoo, and which are made of polypropylene and can be sterilized by boiling, in contrast to the polyethylene caps I see on my and most other dish and shampoo bottles these days, is also perfectly compatible with the Perrier bottles.
Also, every lid I’ve ever gotten on a plastic bottle of vitamins or herbal supplements will fit on at least one size of brown glass vitamin bottle. Dressings and sauces from small to medium sized manufacturers also tend to use standard mason jar diameter and threaded lids.
posted by jamjam at 2:35 PM on February 5, 2022
You may want to inquire on a local buy nothing group or take a tracing of the lid shape to the grocery store with you to shop for fit. I suspect you'll have some trial & error (as you've already experienced).
posted by countrymod at 7:50 PM on February 5, 2022
posted by countrymod at 7:50 PM on February 5, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
But I just looked on eBay and did not see a single bottle like my lot, which are at least 20 years old. They must not be as common as I’ve always assumed.
posted by jamjam at 2:55 AM on February 5, 2022 [1 favorite]