How to Make a Mason Jar Foaming Soap Dispenser

My sweet little sister, Caitlin, sent me vintage blue Ball Mason jars for my birthday. I had resisted buying them because I might have a bit of a jar hoarding problem. (If you’re in my home, don’t open the cabinet in the laundry room. You might be horrified or shocked by all the jars I’ve rescued from the recycling.)

When I opened the package of six brand new blue jars, I knew I had to keep them and find some ways to display these beauties. Caitlin suggested I should turn one into a soap pump. I agreed, but decided to make it a foaming soap dispenser. Any one else addicted to bubbly foamy soap like I am? Raise your hand and be proud. We can start a foaming soap addicts group (right after the recycled jar addicts group meeting.)

Here’s my tutorial for turning a blue mason jar into a foaming soap dispenser.

• Scrap of wood
• Drill
• 1 1/2″ drill bit
• Foaming soap (Method had the longest stray and the perfect blue liquid)
• Blue Ball Mason Jar with lid
• Clamp
• Utility Knife (with sharp blade)
• Pencil
• Safety glasses

Mason Jar Foaming Soap Dispenser Instructions:

Unscrew the lid off the Ball jar.  Measure and mark the center of the jar lid. Clamp the lid securely to the scrap wood.

Very gently drill a hole into the lid with the spade bit. At some point the bit may bind in the lid. You can finish cutting the hole with a sharp utility knife. (Just be careful not to cut yourself on the sharp edges.)

Test the fit of the hole over the soap bottle.

Pour the liquid foaming soap into the Ball jar.

Use the utility knife to carefully cut off the top threaded portion of the soap bottle (leave enough collar to fit under the hole in the jar lid.)

Line up the pump dispenser, the plastic collar, the jar lid and lid ring.

Assemble the pump dispenser inside the lid as shown below (1. Insert plastic collar into the jar lid. 2. Thread pump onto the plastic collar. 3. Tighten pump lid. 4. Insert pump into jar and screw on the lid ring.):

Pump out luscious foamy soap to your heart’s content!

When it’s empty, refill with more liquid foaming soap (it’s better than using one time soap containers!) Did you know you can make your own foaming soap by mixing water and your favorite liquid soap? Hand soap or  dishwashing liquid soap will work.)

I have five more Blue Mason jars. What do you suggest I use them for???

UPDATE: Many people had asked if my jar lid rusted. The answer is, Yes, it did. But, I was able to clean off the rust and seal the lid with clear nail polish and so far it isn’t rusting (four months now.) Also, Michelle from Counting Willows has her own solution!