Soap trays: choices among the modern variety of models

For any modern person who values ​​comfort, bathroom furnishings are of particular importance. The mood and well-being of a person depends on how it is framed. It is impossible to imagine this room without a bath or shower, sink, cabinet and mirror, and, of course, a soap dish.

A soap dish is a container for storing soap that is installed in rooms where a person washes, washes their hands or takes a shower. Thanks to this simple, but at the same time ingenious invention, soap serves for a long time without losing its qualities. The absence of a soap dish leads to a quick soaking of the bar, which does not have the best effect on the surface of the bathroom or sink, namely, the formation of soap streaks and stains.

Thanks to modern equipment and the development of designers, models of various shapes, colors and materials are produced. Manufacturers use metal, plastic, glass, ceramics, silicone, rubber and even wood to make soap dishes. Each of the materials has its own advantages and disadvantages. The most practical and inexpensive are plastic products. They are practical and, if handled carefully, can last for quite a long time. But it is worth noting that plastic models are not very resistant to mechanical damage, scratches and cracks are not uncommon for this material. But in fairness, I would like to note that their cost is low, so if such defects are found, it will not be a pity to throw it out, and instead you can purchase a new model.

The varieties of plastic products include polymer clay soap dishes made by hand. The material itself is a plastic mass that resembles not only in appearance, but also in tactile sensations, ordinary plasticine. Plasticizers that make up the mass endow the mass with plasticity, but the basis of this material is PVC. Products constructed from polymer mass are quite durable and not afraid of water, they can be polished and decorated with decor, since manufacturers produce a fairly wide range of transparent and pigmented clays.

Glass soap dishes are a special option; tempered glass is used in their production.oh, therefore, they can be operated without special fears, especially since glass is a hygienic material. They look great regardless of shape and color in almost any interior. And this is not surprising, because the glass model is aesthetics. But, nevertheless, there is a small risk of breaking such a soap dish if you make some effort. A good alternative to a glass soap dish is an acrylic model. In appearance, acrylic resembles glass, but it is more durable than it.

The ceramic soap dish is the epitome of luxury and grace. Such products look very expensive, and they cost a lot. But this is not surprising, because they are made from natural clay raw materials. Ceramic is a material that does not emit any harmful substances and does not react with the main or additional components of the soap. The disadvantages of ceramic soap dishes include the relative fragility of the material.

The metal soap dish is one of the most practical options., used as a container for storing soap, because metal is a durable material, which means that the soap dish will last a very long time.Metal products are most often made of stainless steel with a chrome coating. Used in metal models and alloys such as bronze and brass. In the models, bronze and brass elements are most often used in combination with materials such as glass, ceramics and porcelain. The metal elements of soap dishes can have both a smooth polished and a patterned surface.

Silicone (rubber) soap dishes are distinguished by affordable prices, bright colors and a variety of shapes. Silicone is a non-toxic, wear-resistant material with water and dust repellent properties. Silicone soap dishes are easy to clean and resistant to mechanical stress, they cannot be broken or broken. Wood is not the best option for making soap dishes. The service life of such soap dishes is limited, since the wooden surface does not tolerate constant exposure to high humidity. But if the style of the bathroom cannot do without an accessory made of solid wood, then it is better to choose soap dishes from special types of trees that can withstand long-term contact with water.

Not only the color scheme, design and style make it possible to classify soap dishes, but also the way they are placed. There are two main places where the product can be installed. The most common and customary placement option is a surface that does not require special fixing of the model. This can be a countertop with an installed sink, a shelf, a corner of a bathroom, or the edge of a sink. The main difference between desktop products is mobility, they can be rearranged from one place to another, or if the model has a cover, you can take it with you on a trip. The material for the manufacture of the desktop version can be any, its choice depends on the preferences of the owners and on the style in which the bathroom is decorated.

The suspended structure, unlike the tabletop, is attached above the sink or bathtub in different wayswhich depend on the model. The location of the structure is most often the wall. Due to their low weight, plastic, silicone and lattice metal products can be attached to the surface by means of suction cups. In order to fix the soap dish on the vacuum suction cups on the wall, no special devices and fasteners are required, the main thing is that the wall surface has an even and smooth coating. The ideal surface for this design is tile or glass.

Despite the fact that the suction cup system does not require drilling, does not spoil the surface and is relatively mobile, it can be easily moved to another place, it also has some drawbacks. It is impossible to hang a heavy ceramic or glass model with the help of suction cups, the suction cups will not support their weight. In addition, due to the high humidity in the bathroom, even lightweight structures slip off from time to time, and they often have to be reinstalled, which is not very convenient.

For structures with a significant mass, a more reliable method of fastening is most suitable. Hanging ceramic, glass or a combination of several materials, the model is best mounted using self-tapping screws and dowels that come with the soap dish. The most common models include a design consisting of fasteners with a ring on which the soap dish is installed. The advantage of such models is the ability to quickly remove the container for storing soap if you need to wash or replace it. A less reliable method of fastening is a self-adhesive design option. In order to hang the model without a holder, you need to use double-sided tape and the special adhesive that comes with the model. This mounting method is suitable for a flat surface and lightweight soap dishes.

The hinged mobile model of a soap dish is a small container with a handle for hanging on the edge of the bathroom. The material of manufacture for such soap dishes is either plastic or metal. The advantage of the hinged structure is mobility, it can only be taken out when necessary. The wall-mounted magnetic soap dish belongs to hanging structures and is an excellent option for storing bar soap. In its shape, it resembles a small faucet with a magnet hidden inside. In order to hang a bar of soap from such a device, you need to press the second magnet into the bar, slightly moistening the surface. As the volume of the soap decreases, the magnet moves deeper into the bar.

The use of a magnetic design offers many benefits for bathroom owners. The absence of a container for soap allows you to avoid deoxidation of the bar, it is in a suspended state and is in contact with water to a minimum. After use, the piece dries quickly from all sides, which means that it does not get wet or break like a regular bar lying in a container, and therefore it lasts longer. Even an accidental loss of a magnet will not spoil the impression of this design, because the lost part can be easily replaced with a metal lid from any drink.

There is another version of a soap dish that allows you to economically use solid soap - this is a grater. This model appeared relatively recently, but has already gained popularity. The design of the grater is very interesting, the soap is placed in the container not horizontally, as in the usual model, but vertically, because there is a lever in the container with which the soap is rubbed and falls into the palm in the form of shavings. Installing a grater allows you not only to economically consume a piece, but also to avoid streaks on the surface of the bathroom or sink, because the pieces of shavings are very small, and their quantity is enough to soap your hands and rinse with water without residue.

Recently, liquid soap has become more and more popular. For its storage and supply, special dispensers have been developed, thanks to which the consumption of liquid soap is very economical. With one press, a small portion of soap enters the palm of your hand, which is quite enough for washing your hands. In more advanced models, the soap dispensing is carried out automatically thanks to the built-in photocells. The advantages of using dispensers are the absence of debris, stains on the surface of the sink and more economical use of soap compared to bar types. The dispenser bottle can be used not only for filling with liquid soap, but also for shampoo, shower gel, hair conditioner and other liquid substances used in the bathroom.

By the method of fastening, the dispensers are subdivided into the following:

• stationary - mounted on the surface using fasteners;
• mobile - do not need model fasteners.

The usual model has, as a rule, a simple shape, belongs to the mobile species and is initially filled with the composition, and the decorative model has a beautiful shape and can be either stationary or mobile, it is usually filled with liquid soap by the owner.

Choosing a soap dish model for a bathroom is not difficult and even somewhat exciting. A properly selected accessory is the key to creating a harmonious interior and the comfort of the owners. A soap dish, like any item in the bathroom, should be combined in style and color with other accessories. Accessories of different materials and colors will not bring any aesthetic pleasure or comfort to the owners.

When choosing a soap dish, it is worth considering the age of all household members. For families with small children, it is not worth buying a model made of glass or ceramic, there is a high probability that children can accidentally break it, especially if the model is tabletop without fasteners to the surface.The best solution would be to purchase a soap dish made of materials resistant to mechanical damage, and mounted on the wall using reliable fasteners.

The choice of a soap dish also depends on the area of ​​the bathroom. For small bathrooms, a wall-hung structure is the best option, especially if the sink is small and the cabinet does not have a countertop. The suspended structure does not take up much space, and it will look better. For the design of large bathrooms, larger models without fasteners are suitable. Choosing a model for the interior, it is worth paying attention not only to the external design, but also to evaluate the quality of the soap dish. External defects and unpleasant odors are unacceptable for quality, certified products.

Recently, soap dishes with additional equipment have appeared in stores. The cost of such models is slightly higher than the usual ones, but the aesthetic pleasure from using an unusual soap dish is greater than from a familiar product. Such devices as lighting or musical accompaniment can be built into the design of the soap dish. Additional functions are activated at the moment of taking a piece from the container, a pleasant melody or glow lasts all the time until the person returns the soap to the container.

Most manufacturers offer soap dishes complete with other accessories.designed for use in the bathroom, matching with each other in color and style. The number and combination of items in the kit may be different and depends on the specific manufacturer. The set may include a glass for toothbrushes, a container for rinsing, a towel holder, a brush with a stand and other accessories, without which the interior of the room would be incomplete. By purchasing a set instead of one soap dish, you can quickly equip a bathroom in the same style, without wasting time looking for each item separately.

Today there are many companies engaged in the production and release of such a necessary accessory as a soap dish. Suspended, mounted and tabletop models produced under different brands have their own corporate identity, shape and color. Desktop versions are produced by almost all manufacturers, the differences are only in the internal structure of the soap dish and in the external design. Ceramic two-color model from the Ecoln series of oval shape from the Ikea company for quick drying of the bar is equipped with small spherical protrusions on the inside. In a similar model from the Sementa series from the Turkish company Ansan, the protrusions have an oblong shape. And the soap dishes from the Tatkraft company, where acrylic is used as the material, have models both with and without protrusions.

The Indecor soap dish has a different system for weathering the bar. It consists of two interconnected parts, where the upper half, in contact with the bar, has small holes, due to which water from the bar flows into the inner part. Rubber soap dish Umbra Grassy keeps the bar dry with rubberized fibers. The most popular color options are white, beige and blue. Tabletop options from the German company Grohe differ from previous models in materials, expensive finishes and unusual shapes.

For the types of soap dishes, see the next video.