Ever since I stumbled across some lovely, rustic mason jar soap dispensers on Etsy last year, I’ve been wanting one for our bathroom. Now that the bathroom facelift is complete, it seemed like the perfect time to finally try my hand at making one of these babies. I’m sure there are 1,001 ways to do this, but the method I decided to use worked great, was super easy and took less than 30 minutes.
I wanted a brushed nickel looking pump, and I found a soap dispenser on clearance for $3 at TJ Maxx that was the style I was looking for so I snapped it up. You can also find some nicer-than-your-average-plastic soap pumps here for less than $4 a pop.
I started with this vintage pint-sized Ball mason jar with a zinc lid.
After marking the center of the lid, Devin drilled a starter hole through it with a 1/4″ drill bit. I held the jar steady for him. That’s teamwork right there. (Note: Some zinc lids, like mine, still have a thick white ceramic/glass lining inside. Devin drilled through the zinc easily, but needed to use a little elbow grease to break through the ceramic. Once he did, we just discarded the pieces since they weren’t needed.
Then he used two progressively larger drill bits until the hole was big enough to fit the plastic part of the pump through (5/8″ did the trick). A spade bit may have worked better, but we didn’t have one on hand and we did just fine.
Finally, I inserted the pump…
…then used my hot glue gun to secure the pump to the inside of the lid.
The beauty of using hot glue is that it dries super fast (like less than 10 minutes fast) and is waterproof enough for the purposes of this pump. You can also use epoxy or some other type of waterproof adhesive, but be aware your drying time will be much longer.
Finally, fill with the liquid soap of your choice. I used Method Sea Minerals which is what I had on hand.
I love how it turned out, and it adds character to the bathroom sink.
You can’t beat that for less than $10 ($3 pump + $4 mason jar) and less than 30 minutes!
Linking up at:
|
|
Thanks for posting this! I’ve been wanting to make one (or 3) of these for a while!
Happy to oblige
It was so easy to make that I think I’m going to have to make one for the kitchen now too!
so again…um…care to make me one?
seriously…love it! I really want to get mason jar wall lamps one of these days. Great job!
Sure I’ll make you one
I made some of these myself. I used a hammer and a screwdriver to make the hole. I think your method looks better
Thanks for sharing!
Hey, a hammer and screwdriver sounds like it’d do the trick too!
I am doing the same project so I was happy to see your process. BTW I ordered some pumps online and THEN I saw brushed nickel replacement pumps on sale at Bed, Bath and Beyond.
Gah, I hate when that happens! On the plus side, you could still get the ones on sale and make more as gifts
So cute, I will be trying this soon!! Great job. Stopping by from Tatertots & Jello.
Thanks so much Heather. It’s so easy that it’s definitely worth a try
I’ve been thinking about something like this for awhile. Thanks for explaining how you did it! It looks great! Visiting from 5 days, 5 ways.
Thanks for stopping by Misti! Would love to know how yours turns out if/when you try it!
I love it. It’s so much nicer than the plastic soap bottles.
Dee
http://alapinlife.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much Dee!
I love this! It looks like such a simple project, but it looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing.
Yes, the best thing about it is how easy it was! Great idea for gifts
Thanks for stopping by!
I have always wondered how to convert a jar into a soap dispense, this is wonderful!
Thanks, Tanya! It’s super easy…I don’t know why I didn’t try it sooner
So cute!
Thanks so much Comeca! I’m going to have to make some for friends and family as gifts now
Lovely result. My husband keeps leaving the ugly plastic dishwash bottle on the bench. Think I might make one of these for the kitchen sink. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks, Lil! I’m planning on making one for our kitchen too…definitely much more charming than a plastic bottle
Pingback: REVIVAL MONDAY #61 | Fashion Trendy
I love these! I just found an old mason jar to make one for myself! I’ve read a couple other tutorials, but this one seems easiest and I don’t have to buy anything special to make this. Thanks for sharing!
No problemo! Yes, I always go for the easiest route…I guess one could say I’m lazy, but I like to think of it as efficient
Yay! I just made one using your tutorial:
http://thejunkhouse.blogspot.com/2012/06/mason-jar-soap-dispenser.html
Love it! I had that exact idea in my head, so it was nice to show your post to my hubby so he can understand what I was trying to say!!
Leanne @ http://www.becauseithinkican.com
Great to hear…hope you try to make one…it’s super easy!
Where did you get your jar at? I love the blue
Hi Sarah…I got this specific jar at Etsy, but I also see a good number of them at flea markets and garage sales so I’m always on the lookout!
Pingback: Mason Jar Fetish « Leslie Ellis – News on a Personal Note
Hey Christine, I did it! I made 2 and have two more jars to go (excessive?). Thanks for the tutorial. I mentioned you and your blog in my post about it! http://wp.me/pDVfd-6E
I just checked them out and they look awesome! Love the two different sizes and good idea to use a ceramic/tile bit!
First time reader hear! Thanks for this really cute idea. I actually found it on another blog and they linked the credit back to you.
I’ll look forward to perusing more of your blog.
Thank you so much! The best thing about it is how easy it is!
Could you still make this, but with a plastic pump?
Hey Jessica – it would definitely would work just as well with an all plastic pump…hot glue sticks to anything
Pingback: Organization: 20 Ways To Use Mason Jars + Free Printable | Bry Diy
I’ve made a few of these dispensers for around the house and they look great! I bought a bunch of metal tops online (onedreamdesign.com) and was happy with the quality;They’re better looking than bedbath&beyond!
Where can you buy the pumps from?
Hey Christine,
If you don’t have an old pump you want to use, you can google soap pumps and there are a bunch of sites that sell just the pump alone. Hope this helps!