Bulk Soap

Contamination:
An Unnecessary
Public Health Risk

Background
Open refillable (bulk) soap is used daily by
millions of hand washers in many
environments including
Public restrooms
Schools
Office buildings
Restaurants
Health & fitness clubs
Food processing plants

Background
Studies have proven
bacterial contamination of
open refillable (bulk) soap
dispensers.
Open refillable (bulk) soap refers
to liquid or foam hand soap
commonly packaged in gallon
containers, designed to be
poured in to soap dispensers.

Background - CDC
Recommendations
How should hand care products be stored?
Liquid products should be stored in closed containers and
dispensed from either disposable containers or containers
that are washed and dried thoroughly before refilling.

Soap should not be added to a partially empty dispenser

because this practice of topping off might lead to bacterial
contamination of soap and negate the beneficial effect of
hand cleaning and disinfection.

Background
Every time someone
washes their hands
using soap from an
open refillable
reservoir dispenser,
they are gambling
with their health.
University of Arizona
Microbiologist Dr.
Charles P. Gerba.

Study Findings
Total number of
open refillable
soap samples

Number of
samples with
bacteria

Number of
samples with
coliforms

541

133 (25%)

87 (16%)

Study Findings
50

Percent

40

Locations containing bacteria and percent of

bacteria that were coliforms

Bacteria
Coliform

39%
33%

30
18%

20

17%

10
0
Office

Health club Foodservice

Retail
7

Study Findings

No bacteria were
found in soap
dispensed from
sealed systems

Contamination Factors
Open dispenser design

Bulk soap dispensers are open to the environment.

Inadequate cleaning

Germs can grow inside because it isnt practical for

maintenance personnel to properly clean and sanitize
dispensers each time they are refilled.

Improper refilling (topping off)

New soap can become tainted as it is added to

contaminated soap.

Improper preparation

Can compromise soap preservative efficacy.

Dilution with water

Can compromise soap preservative efficacy.

Health Risks
Bacteria found in bulk soap are
opportunistic pathogens
Youth and immunocompromised at
greater risk
Opportunistic pathogens are seen in
the following infections

Respiratory infections
Eye infections
Skin infections
Blood infections
Urinary tract infections

Health Risks: Bacteria Remains

on the Hands After Washing

Before washing with

contaminated bulk soap

After washing with

contaminated bulk soap

Solutions to Contamination
The industry must be aligned to solve
this problem.
The simplest solution is to discontinue
using open refillable (bulk) dispensers.
Switching to systems requiring disposable
sealed soap refills would help to avoid this
unnecessary public health risk.

GOJO Solution
GOJO SANITARY SEALED
Refill Systems
Safe: The soap inside is protected
from contamination because it is
factory sealed and includes a fresh
nozzle with each refill.
Smart: The logical choice for
helping prevent the spread of
germs.

Simple: Virtually labor free; snap

in a new refill in seconds.