Refill Lysol No-Touch Hand Soap Dispenser to Save Money and Reduce Waste
94The Lysol No-Touch Hand Soap System is an exciting new kitchen or bathroom accessory which offers the convenience of an automatic world at a very affordable price. However, with normal usage the refill soap can begin to make a dent in even the most frugal shopper's budget.
However, like most home products with expensive refills, the Lysol Healthy Touch hand soap containers are easy to refill. While the process is simple, refilling the device without the proper precautions will lead to a mess or even worse - a broken soap dispenser.
This article discusses how to refill the soap containers, provides guidelines for choosing what to refill them with, and discusses the many precautions which must be taken to avoid damaging your Lysol No-Touch or wasting soap. If you are still deciding whether or not to buy an automatic soap dispenser, read our guide to learn more about the new Lysol No-Touch.
Dissatisified? Give it a second chance.
After reading the responses of people who have tried the Lysol No-Touch, the operating cost and the concept of the device have received a lot of negative feedback. Instead of giving up on the product entirely you can still enjoy its convenience while saving some money by buying the Lysol Healthy Touch refills less often.
Use only Lysol Healthy Touch Refill Canisters
Lysol Healthy Touch refills are specially designed to allow the soap to be extracted and to prevent leakage when the canister is removed. Never try to puncture or alter the refill canister and do not attempt to use refills designed for other products. Doing so could damage the internal components or cause soap to leak, causing damage to the dispenser and other nearby items.
Lysol Healthy Touch hand soap is the perfect soap for this dispenser
The Lysol Healthy Touch soap is very thick, but other household liquids such as concentrated dish soap are much thicker. The gear and plunger system which dispenses the soap is calibrated to the density of Lysol Healthy Touch soap and any thicker liquid can cause the plunger or plastic gears to fail or break. Thinner liquids will cause less strain on the mechanical parts but may be more likely to leak internally, damaging the electronics.
Opening the Lysol Healthy Touch Refill Canister
Some consumers may desire to reduce waste by refilling the canister with Dettol or other antiseptic hand soap or to thin the Lysol Healthy Touch soap by adding water. Doing so may save money over using a new Lysol Healthy Touch refill every time especially if you reduce the amount of soap dispensed, but cannot be done without some risk of damage to the device or refill canister.
The plastic lid can be carefully removed with a flat tool such as a butter knife. Without twisting the lid, the tool can be fully inserted in the front of the refill and then pivoted to either side to pop off the lid. The wide mouth of the plastic bottle makes it easy to pour the soap out, mix in a little water to thin it out, and return the soap to the container. The lid must snap tightly onto the refill container or the soap will leak.
Recyclable Consumables
The Lysol Healthy Touch refill containers, as well as the original plastic packaging, are made with recyclable #1 PETE plastic. PETE plastics can be recycled by nearly all recycling programs which makes it easy to limit landfill waste.
Opening the refill container is likely to damage the soft plastic
that is used to hold the lid in place. In the event that the refill
canister is damaged, buy a new Lysol Healthy Touch hand soap refill and
remember to recycle the damaged container. Using a damaged refill
canister could very easily cause the soap to leak.
Never refill a canister more than once; they are designed for one use cycle only and prolonged use of the same container could cause buildup on the leak prevention gasket, resulting in a mess and wasted soap. It is best to have a spare brand new Lysol Healthy Touch refill on hand at all times.
Choosing a Refill Soap
If you live in a country which sells Dettol Antiseptic Soap, this product should be the best replacement for the original Lysol Healthy Touch canisters. Otherwise, any replacement soap must be the same density or thinner than original Lysol Healthy Touch hand soap. Use of soap that is thicker or contains particulates such as exfoliating sand or moisture beads will cause the dispenser to lock up. Re-opening the canister to thin the soap increases the likelihood of breaking the plastic that holds the lid in place.
You may be able to greatly reduce the operating expenses of your automatic soap dispenser by purchasing a large refill bottle of soap and two Lysol Healthy Touch refills rather than four original Lysol refills.
Which of the following products would you find most useful in a no-touch automatic dispenser?
See results without votingDid you know? Reckitt Benckiser, makers of Lysol, owns some of the top brands worldwide in a variety of household products. Others include Finish, Clearasil, French's, Dettol, and Woolite.
Beyond Hand Soap
The Lysol No-Touch Hand Soap System may be capable of dispensing other liquids such as non-concentrated dish detergent or instant hand sanitizer. Watch the store shelves for the introduction of more refill types which could evolve the usefulness of your Lysol No-Touch.
These alternative soaps have a potential to be more useful when dispensed automatically than standard hand soap. When a dish scrubber is low on dish detergent it would be great to be able to get more soap without freeing up both hands to squeeze a bottle! Unfortunately due to the well-calibrated but fragile plastic gears, attempting to use anything besides Lysol Healthy Touch soap in your dispenser risks shortening the longevity of the device.
How to Videos for Refilling the Lysol No Touch
Check out these videos for some additional tips on refilling the Lysol soap dispenser.
If you happen to have the right tools, there are several alternative methods for refilling the Lysol Soap Dispenser that will also help you save money and time when refilling.
This video shows a popular method in which holes are drilled in the top of the refill canister. This allows it to be refilled quickly without removing the Healthy Touch refill from the automatic soap dispenser base.
Thanks to whybbob for making and sharing this video with us.
This video explains a different technique for refilling the Lysol automatic soap dispenser that, if you are able to buy a large syringe, restaurant-style ketchup squeeze bottle, or something similar, may allow you to get more use out of each original soap refill container. As some readers have noted in the comments, this method may be messier and more time consuming but it is still a nice alternative.
Thanks to Mommy2TwoBoys for suggesting this method and making this very nice video!
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Someone said to drill a hole in the top of the soap container and refill it using a funnel....then just put a small piece of tape over to prevent dirt from getting in or the soap from drying out....sounds like a good idea to me!
I refilled mine using a very small syringe, the kind that doesn't have a needle (pull out the push part) given to me by my pediatrician for measuring medicine and inserted it in the hole at the top where the soap is dispensed and then I used a
dropper (the ones you use for your kids medicine) and pushed the soap through the small syringe into the bottle. It may have taken me 5 minutes but next time i'll time myself and make sure. Refilled it with dial aloe mosturizing hand soap. My son has agreed to do the task each time it needs refilling. The dispenser works great!
Has anyone experienced a problem with vacuum forming at the top of the bottle as the product is depleted? If it happens it would show in the amount of soap dispensed and there may be a popping sound. I'm wondering if there is a built-in prevention from this ocurring. If I notice it happening in my dispenser, I will burn a tiny hole in the top (bottom of bottle) with a straight pin to relieve it.
drilling a hole is a very good idea. jut need a cap to cover it. like cork
Thank you all for the suggestions. I need to get rid of this gawd awful smelling cucumber crap that comes with it.... want to put my own soft soap NICE smelling stuff, lol... but didn't want to break the lid.
I took the simpler approach. I waited until the Lysol container was empty, drilled a small hole in the top, put a funnel in, and poured in Dawn with Olay (softer hands but still gets the grease) - WORKS PERFECTLY ! Put a piece of clear mailing tape, clear duct or gorilla tape, looks seamless. I can now use the bottle for as long as the dispenser works.
I also worried about the "vacuum" problem, but there isn't one. The Lysol soap dispenser is so good I threw out all the other (lousy) $20 automatic soap dispensers I have because none of them can handle anything thicker than water or purell.
This Lysol dispenser is powerful - heck, buy this product just for that and it's a deal ! With a $5 coupon and bought from WalMart I got the dispenser and soap for $4.99 !!! Now I can refill it with any liquid soap/lotion I want. I do have to say the Lysol grapefruit was wonderful, but no one seems to stock it....
Thanks for the great ideas everyone. Got my dispenser for 2.99. Would like a cheaper way to refill as well. Now I have one.
How about a dial or something to control the amount dispensed? I bought it for my 2 year old and potty training. It dispenses way too much for her and its a waste of product. I will be drilling the hole in the top of mine as well!
In reference to the NiMH batteries, they are typically about 1.35 to 1.40 Volts right after being removed from the charger then the voltage gradually settles down to about 1.20 Volts (nominal). A typical alkaline battery starts out new at about 1.6 Volts and most designers of electronic devices use 1.0 to 1.1 Volts as a "battery dead" voltage level. So when your NiMH battery reaches 1.2 Volts the circuitry is probably blinking the LED to let you know that the battery is about to die but for NiMH that is not the case. In summary, the circuit is designed based on using alkaline batteries which have a higher voltage to start with and when you use NiMH instead of alkaline the circuit doesn't know this and falsely indicates a low battery.
Costco this week is featuring two dispensers and four soaps for only $17.50!
Wow! I'm not a big fan of disposable products, so your idea to make something disposable reusable is terrific. Keep up the good work.
I was just reading how others refilled their containers and I think the way I am doing it is MUCH easier. I went to my local Kohl's Pharmacy and purchased a 60 cc irrigation syringe for a few bucks. I cut a notch into the end of the syringe (one on opposite sides) so when pressed against the stopper in the refill, it has a route to escape. I also use the Equate refills to refill my Lysol container. I found I get about 10 refills per bottle, quite the savings! I will make a video tomorrow to show how I refill it and make the notch. It really is easy!
we have these at each sin of our house, and I bought one refill, and decided to try popping the cap off the old one (would have gotten thrown away regardless) and I did this well before reading this article. needless to say, the top pops off fairly easy, filled it with the bulk softsoap or whatever it was we had sitting around, and then popped the cap back on, and works just like new. There is no reason to drill a hole and funnel it in, the cap pops right off.
just my $0.02
Hi everybody,
Great idea on the refill bit. I really like the Lysol dispenser but their soap is awful smelling ! At least the original 2 scents. I am going to buy the new one and I hope it smells better. Their (Lysol) soap has to be the worst smelling hand soap I ever used (works good / smells bad !) --Pete--
Hey thanks everybody for all this input!
Did Mommy2TwoBoys ever post that vid? Her description was rather vague otherwise. It be nice to see it in action :)
Thanks for the reply fritteritter! I think I may have figured it out. If I did, I will be sure to update everybody here and let them know how I did it.
I just wish they would come out with new scents like vanilla, apple cinnamon, lavendar, just something different and also hand sanitizer....that would be helpful in our basement when my husband is working on cars b/c there is no sink down there....
I have also refilled mine (several times each) using a generic soap from a discount store. The soap I get is $2.50 for a quart. So far, I haven't encountered any problems.
Hi. I have the perfect solution for refilling these containers and it only takes 5 minutes. I use this bottle which I purchased at Sally Beauty Supply. http://www.sallybeauty.com/Long-Tip-Applicator-Bot
This has the perfect size tip to fit in the hole. You DO NOT have to pry the cap off at all. The tip fits perfectly in the hole!
And I refill it with Equate hand soap refill bottles from Walmart: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Refill-Antibacter
This soap was the perfect consistency. So, don't mess around with drilling holes or prying the cap off. This only takes minutes and saves $$.
I like this dispenser since it cheap and I my kiddo likes using it. I tried refilling it with Method gel soap, since I prefer plain soap over antibacterial soap. I think it is mentioned somewhere that the gel soap is "too" thick and leaks out. It did for me. Also, maybe I damaged the seal in the top when popping it off. So with the same top, I am now trying the Method Foaming liquid. So far, it doesn't seem to leak out of the dispenser. Unfortunately, you have to make sure your fingers are all together or it will leak through your fingers. (thus, not kid friendly). Also, it is amazing that Target doesn't carry the plain (Sweet Water) Foaming Soap refill packs (BBB does).
Anyway, I am fairly happy with this dispenser. I, like many, do not like the strongly scented/antibacterial soaps.
I hope sometime soon that Lysol makes a foaming dispenser.
Everyone write them!:)
Just as an update, I have found the "syringe" method to be completely unmanageable. I think this may possibly be what Faith is suggesting also.
In order to employ that method, you must push in the rubber stopper on the top of the Lysol refill. This requires an inequitable amount of precision.
I have found that popping the top off is much easier. Then I can simply pour the soap of my preference into the container, pop the top back on, and continuously use the dispenser.
I have refilled the same container three times in a row using the "pop the top" method. Every time I have attempted the "syringe" method, I have both wasted soap, and risked disturbing the seal that makes the dispenser work.
I will consistently contend the "syringe" method (as suggested by Faith and others) until DETAILED instructions as to how to achieve it (without spills or puncture) are given.
Otherwise, simply "pop the top" by inserting a kitchen knife at the back of the container, twist it to one of the sides, and push up. Then repeat on the other side. The top comes right off.
I have found no simpler way to refill it. Additionally, it requires no purchase of additional products, as Faith suggests. Also, it does not require the risk of puncturing the rubber seal as any "syringe" method would entail.
Thanks for the information, Faith. I stopped at my local Sally's and bought the applicator you suggested for $2.69. The applicator bottle was just over 8 oz, so if fit the perfect amount of soap to refill the Lysol container in one pass. It probably took me less than 2 minutes beginning to end. And there was absolutely NO mess! (I filled mine with Target brand soap.)
Has anyone had a problem with the dispenser STOPPING working? I bought two (then I spray-painted one cuz I think they're kinda ugly. Looks GREAT!); the unpainted one stopped working when I changed the refill. The red light flashes constantly; nothing comes out. Help?
Walter. I understand your concern. However, there is no risk to disturbing the seal. The seal was made to have something put in it. If you look at the unit, there is a port (I don't know what else to call it) that fits into the seal that dispenses the soap, so when the soap container is in the unit, it's being penetrated the whole time by this port. The tip of the applicator bottle is approximately the same size or smaller than that port. It fits in easily. I didn't have to force it at all. I have had no problems with it leaking at all so far. I will inform you if that changes. Ed seems to have had success with it as well. It's true that you have to purchase the applicator. It's something that I already had around the house. But, for $2.69 that's not a bad cost when you think about all the money you save on having to buy Lysol refills. Like I said, I've had great success with it but will update you all if that changes. Good luck to you all!
Like jerry said, I find the easiest method of refilling is just to take a cordless drill, and start with a smaller bit in the indent already in the top of the refill bottle. Took a 2nd larger and then a 3rd larger bit and drilled in the same location until I had a hole I thought was big enough to jive with the squirt spout on my Jergens SoftSoap refill bottle or any other that I might buy as a refill soap. Just remember to do this when your original lysol refill bottle is completely empty and then rinse it out well and drain it after drilling to remove and plastic bits that might get caught in the valves or dispenser opening. After that, refill it with said Soft Soap or any other liquidy viscous type soap, and place a craft cork in the top where you drilled. See photos on my hub: http://s3.hubimg.com/u/3908002_f520.jpg
Well I put in the Equate soap with no problem. UNTIL about ½" of use and then it gummed up the pump royally!!
Put in a regular Lysol refill, forced to pump about a dozen times and now it's working fine.
I can get the refills at BJ's for under $3, so I'm going to go that route.
OMGosh! I'm so sorry. I totally forgot about doing the video and was doing a search and ran across my old post here from 3 months ago. I just set up my webcam and did a refill to show ya'll what I was talking about. It's super easy... you only have to buy a syringe for a few bucks and your refill soap that you choose. In the video, I forgot to say that it does get harder to push it in as the bottle fills more... simply push in a little and pull back to take out some air to equalize the pressure. I hope this really helps everyone.
Kim
P.S. You get 6.5 Lysol refills from 1 56 oz. Softsoap or Equate refill. I use both and have never had a problem with it clogging up. We also have 4 people living in the house and it gets used frequently... not sure if that would make a difference or not.
My Video:
No problem. Again, sorry for the delay in making the video... I intended on doing it right away but things are so hectic sometimes. I'm glad I found the post again and was able to do it. Also, the referral link is for AFullCup.Com. I don't get anything (at least at this time or that I know of) for someone joining through me, it just allows me to see if someone signs up under me. It's a free couponing website I fell in love with! My first full year (2009) using the site saved me $43,005.60! So I tend to try and get people to check it out if they have an interest in saving money/using coupons. :) Again, hope the video helped and is easy for everyone to refill cheaply!
Kim
Wow! This page has become a wonderful resource for the Lysol No-Touch. . . Thanks everyone for your input!
I am on my sixth "Pop-the-Top" refill now, and everything is working fine. It's a nice method because it is so easy just to pour the soap right in the top.
Mommy2TwoBoys's video is a great asset. It provides much insight into the "Syringe Method." I like it, and will provide feedback if I decide to resort to trying it.
I am most interested to see Faith provide us a video of the "Bottle Method." I would like to see how that works as compared to the "Syringe Method." It seems they are along the same lines, but I would hesitate to assume they are similarly easy. A video would definitely aid in this assessment.
I look forward to seeing further updates on this page. Thanks everyone!
i just read that if u put the cap of the soap dispencer in boiling water for about 10 seconds u can just pop the top right off.
they also said that u can use it on swiffer cleaning dispencer i am going to try that.
I refill mine by drilling a hole in the top (bottom) of the bottle and using a funnel to put cheap soap into it. I have also drilled a very small hole beside the larger hole to allow air to escape during filling. I sealed the two holes I made with the sticker that comes on a new bottle. You could also use some kind of tape to seal the new holes in the bottle. Works great. Quick and no leaks.
During use, air gets into the bottle through a cigarette filter-like device in the bottom (top) of the bottle. When sufficient vacuum builds up inside the bottle, air bubbles form as air enters the bottle and rises up. This is normal.
I think hand lotion would be a perfect item for automatic dispensing.
The best way is to use a plastic ketchup bottle( The Dollar Tree has the squeezable plastic kind). Make sure to insert the tip of the ketchup bottle all the way in the hole and put in your own soap. I refuse to pay 3.49 for a refill each time. Not only is it expensive it is a waste of plastic for each new refill.
just filled my soap dispencer by putting the top into some boiling water and counted to 20. the lid just
twisted right off.
Butter knife trick worked well. Wouldn't mind paying the redonkulous refill price (as much) if the soap didn't smell terrible. That cucumber junk could gag a maggot. Yeech. I got the refills (all cucumber -.-) for 2$ on clearance at Target and I SERIOUSLY regret it >.<
Thanks for the tips, I was debating chunking the whole system, now I don't have to :)
Thanks for the info. We did just as you said and it worked great!! We have 5 kids so we use allot of soap!!
Thanks so much!!!
I did't see any problem with this thing so far...and mine is DETTOL No Touch..is this gadget same with yrs?...it is nice and bring much convenience..
Thanks for the info. I have just modified my fourth bottle (I have 5 dispensers). I prefer using a 1/2" drill bit and #4 cork. I just drill one hole in the top (clean out the insides by flushing water) and place the cork in. I can refill while the bottle is still attached (empty or not) using a funnel that fits in the hole and a bottle of refill soap (soft or antibiotic from Sam's). Takes a minute or two to refill.
Here is a video showing the hole drill method. Once the 2 holes are created, refills take 10 seconds or less. Hope this helps!
I didn't read all of the comments to see if anyone else has suggested this but what I did was just drilled a hole in the top, but instead of putting tape over it, I bought a cheap squirt gun and removed the little cap thingy (the ones that have a little piece of plastic attached so they don't fall out of the whole) and just stuck that in.
Filled the hole with silicone on mine. Works!
Thank you for the hints. I just bought 3 for 99 cents each! Now I can refill them for cheap, too.
The author is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or otherwise associated with the manufacturer of this product. The machine pictured above was purchased from Rite Aid pharmacy.
Lysol® is a registered trademark of Reckitt Benckiser Group. Softsoap® is a registered trademark of Minetonka, Inc. Corporation.










xdolphin222 2 years ago
Thanks for the info for removing the lid. Worked great. I refilled mine with Equate (Walmart) brand liquid soap and it worked just fine. But I am cheap enough to try to refill it more that twice though.