We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
By now, you’ve probably seen the headlines: We’re having one of the worst cold and flu seasons in recent memory. And I, for one, want no part of it! I had the flu once, nearly 20 years ago, and it totally wiped me out. Most memorable were the backaches and being too tired to watch TV — never again, please. To avoid a repeat performance I got my flu shot months ago, and to ride out the rest of the season I’m relying on this clever home upgrade parked next to my bathroom sink.
Automatic soap dispensers are a hallmark of public bathrooms in part because it’s one fewer surface that’s touched with unwashed hands, and the Simplehuman Liquid Sensor Pump brings that hygienic practicality home. I’ve been using the soap dispenser in my bathroom for a year-and-a-half, and I can’t recommend it enough to anyone who will listen. The touch-free soap dispenser reduces any friction one might have with hand-washing — and in fact, it actually makes me want to wash my hands more.
What Is the Simplehuman Liquid Sensor Pump?
You may have come across Simplehuman before by way of its trash cans, whether that’s the step version our team loves or the sensor can that opens with the wave of your hand. But in my opinion, Simplehuman’s automatic soap dispenser should be getting way more shine. The device dispenses soap as soon as the sensor under the nozzle detects your hand (or any object), and how much it releases depends on where your hand is: a little if it’s close, more if it’s farther away. It also makes this satisfying little mechanical noise as it’s working, which I think adds to its futuristic appeal.
The soap dispenser holds 9 ounces of the liquid soap of your choosing, including alcohol-based hand sanitizer (I prefer to stock up on the brand’s own soap via Amazon). It measures just under 3 inches in diameter, meaning it can fit on even the smallest of bathroom countertops like mine. I love its sleek look. Powered by a lithium ion battery, it can last for up to four months on a full charge. I can’t even guess how many handwashes that powers — a few thousand, or maybe even more?
Why I Love the Simplehuman Liquid Sensor Pump
In all my time with Simplehuman’s sensor pumps, I have yet to find an issue with how they look, feel, or work. That’s “pumps,” plural, because shortly after I received my bathroom soap dispenser (courtesy of the brand to test), I purchased the kitchen-friendly setup with one pump for hand soap, another for dish soap, and a removable sponge caddy — all of which sit on a magnetic base. I’ve also purchased five as Christmas gifts for family members! And although they weren’t the direct recipients, my niece and nephews are the ones most enamored of the device. They actually get excited to wash their hands before dinner, calling its contents “magic soap.”
One downside I thought I’d experience more often is the pump running out of battery — because honestly, I don’t need one more thing to remember to charge! But the battery life really does last for several months, and a little warning light flashes before the pump totally dies. If I plug it in each time I give my bathroom a deep clean, I never have to worry about it running out of power.
In short, Simplehuman’s touch-free soap dispenser turns one of the most mundane activities every single one of us has to do (especially right now) into a luxury. Who knew disease prevention could be this fun? Simplehuman offers quick delivery and free shipping, but you can also find the soap dispenser at Amazon, Crate & Barrel, Sur La Table, and other retailers you already shop at.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
One thing you can’t avoid in the kitchen — no matter how careful you are — is making a mess. Whether that’s a knocked-over cup of coffee, splatter from cooking bacon, or juice from a particularly ripe lime, you’re always going to need to have some household cleaning products on hand to take care of business. Unfortunately, these aren’t the most pleasant home products to look at, so most of us end up stashing our cleaning gear in a cabinet, under the sink, in a closet, or in another room altogether. However, while the unattractive bottles of Windex and bulky cylinders of Clorox wipes are out of sight, that also means that these products aren’t always within reach for quick cleanups. Recently, I found a gadget from the genius team at Simplehuman that lets you keep a spray bottle of household cleaning solution right on your countertop — without anyone knowing. Allow me to introduce you to the new Paper Towel Pump.
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While cleaning gadgets aren’t exactly the most exciting products to test and review, I’ve gotta say, I can’t think of any cooler addition to my apartment’s cleanup arsenal than this bad boy. It’s essentially the same sleek, single-arm paper towel holder that you know and love from Simplehuman, but with one secret twist: The center core of the paper towel rod pops out and serves as a spray bottle for household cleaning solution! Now, whenever I inevitably spill something on my countertop, I just grab a paper towel, pop out the hidden spray bottle, and take care of business.
The gadget also rocks as just, well, a paper towel holder. Until I snagged the Paper Towel Pump, I was using a dinky little metal rod situation that I picked up for a buck at IKEA when I moved into my place. That meant I had to hold it steady every time I wanted to rip off a sheet, and it still ended up tearing and unraveling all the time. With the Paper Towel Pump, the solid base and tension arm put a stop to both of those things, with just enough resistance to tear off one sheet at a time with one hand. The pump is super easy to use, too, with a smooth action and a 6-ounce pump reservoir that holds over 175 pumps. And, you don’t have to worry about accidentally knocking over the base and having the pump roll away, since the tube locks in place with a simple push-to-lock, push-to-unlock mechanism.
And, if you’re not in the mood to precariously pour a bottle of store-bought cleaner into the neck of the inner pump (guilty) you can pick up a pack of Simplehuman’s concentrated citrus grapefruit multi-surface cleaning tablets, which completely dissolve in water to make a powerful solution that’ll make short work of errant grease and grime, and also be safe for all household surfaces.One cleaning tablet makes 6 ounces of cleaner, too, which is precisely how much the pump’s reservoir holds. (No measuring!)
If you’re ready to upgrade your countertop cleaning gear — and save some space while you’re at it — there’s no better move than picking up Simplehuman’s new Paper Towel Pump. It can’t prevent you from dropping an entire bowl of cereal at 1:00 a.m., but it will help you clean it up in style.
Britt is a stargazer and sunrise-chaser with a collection of magic erasers, and a fascination with the fantastic. A storyteller at heart, she finds inspiration in all the small things, and can likely be found singing show tunes, catching up on K-dramas, or going on adventures to satiate her natural-born wanderlust. (Sometimes even all at the same time.) An all-around creative, Britt has worked in various facets with Scene Louisiana, The Nerd Machine, and The Daebak Company, Inc.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
We know you’ve heard about smart cars, smart phones, and smart TVs, but have you heard about voice activated trash cans or motion sensor mirrors? Well, great news: Simplehuman, one of our favorite places to buy high-tech organizing and cleaning solutions, is having a sale — and it’s a big one. At the Simplehuman Annual Friends & Family Event, you’ll get 20 percent off now through July 15 when you sign up to receive emails. Don’t know where to start? Here are a few cleaning gadgets and organizers for your bathroom, kitchen, and more. Shop these amazing deals before they’re gone!
