It may seem like a small thing, but the price of soap can add up in your budget over time. And while you never want to discourage your employees from exercising proper hygiene, there are common reasons why these supplies end up experiencing excess waste, which costs your business money in the long run. To reduce this source of unnecessary spend, here are some tips and tricks.

Don’t change dispenser cartridges too frequently.

Unchanged soap dispenser cartridges can lead to problems; bacteria buildup is a big concern. Likewise, a cartridge left empty means that employees are lacking hygienic options. However, changing them too frequently has monetary consequences to be aware of.

Changing a cartridge before it’s entirely empty could be potentially “throwing away 50 to 100 milliliters of usable soap (equal to 25 to 50 hand washes).”  Depending on the traffic around that dispenser, that’s quite a significant number of washes.

Don’t skimp on dispensers.

The right soap dispenser is imperative to reducing employee waste. First, you want to make sure you’re spending the money upfront on one of quality, which will lead to less breaking and spillage in the long run. Let alone, the cost of replacing a faulty dispenser.

Likewise, the type of dispenser matters. Touch-free, automatic soap dispensers not only reduce the transmission of germs but also decrease the frequency of soap waste by dispensing the exact necessary amount per handwash. They’re more expensive than manual pump dispensers upfront, but long term, help control costs.

Many automatic soap dispensers are designed to dispense foaming soap, which is also an advantage. Foaming soaps tend to be better value than liquid alternatives, with some estimates saying you get up to 50% more hand washes for the same cartridge size.

In conclusion…

Right now, the facility supplies you need to keep a hygienic workplace – and the cost of having them regularly delivered – are more expensive than ever. The last thing you need to spend extra money on is soap. By ensuring you’re using the right product, in the right dispenser, and changing it at the proper frequency, you can save considerable money on this expense every year.