Shower soap holder: a soap dish without drilling
Bar soap has a hard time in the shower: it sits in the spray, the tray fills with water, and after a few days the bar is soft and mushy. At the same time hardly anyone wants to drill into freshly tiled walls, and if you rent, you often can't. Here you can see which solutions exist for soap in the shower and what matters.
Why soap goes soft so quickly in the shower
Soap dissolves when it stands in water for a long time. In a soap dish exactly this water collects under the bar, so the bottom never dries properly. The more air reaches the soap all around, the faster it dries after showering and the longer it lasts.
Three solutions without drilling compared
Adhesive soap dish or shelf
A soap dish with drainage or a grid is better than a closed dish. The water drains away, but the soap still sits on it and the dish needs regular cleaning because soap residue builds up.
Suction cup soap holder
Suction cup holders are quick to fit and easy to move. On tiles with grout lines, textured glass or with temperature changes in the shower, they can come loose over time.
Magnetic soap holder with adhesive pad
With a magnetic soap holder the soap hangs freely on the wall and touches nothing. It dries all around and the area underneath stays clean. The Soapi holds with a waterproof adhesive pad on smooth tiles and glass. You press a normal bottle cap into the soap and the magnet in the holder keeps it in place. Soaps up to 250 g stay put, solid shampoo too.
How to fit a soap holder in the shower properly
- Choose a smooth spot: a tile without a grout line, or the glass wall. Do not stick it on painted or wallpapered walls or on rough natural stone.
- Clean the spot thoroughly with water and a cloth and let it dry well. If the bathroom is unheated and cold, wait until the wall and pad are at room temperature.
- Press the holder on, hang the soap, done. With the Soapi there is no waiting time.
- Ideally place it slightly out of the direct spray, so the soap dries faster after showering.
Frequently asked questions
Does a magnetic soap holder rust in the shower?
That depends on the model. With the Soapi the magnet is completely enclosed in plastic, so the holder can't rust. The bottle cap in the soap can rust in rare cases if its coating is scratched. Then simply use a new one.
Can I take the holder off again?
It comes off tiles and glass without residue. For a new spot there is a replacement adhesive pad.
What about shower gel?
If you use bar soap or solid shampoo, you can do without bottles in the shower. More in our guide Soap dish or magnetic soap holder?