Why does clay soap cause automatic soap dispensers to break quickly?

Hygienic Automatic Device
Sep 17
3 min read

In food factories, especially those that must pass Halal standards, the most important issues are cleanliness and the selection of products that do not violate religious principles. One of the things that is clearly stipulated is the use of clay soap instead of general commercial liquid soap, because clay soap is made from natural minerals and does not contain animal fat, which may conflict with Halal requirements.

However, a common problem faced by many factories is that whether using a regular soap dispenser or an automatic soap dispenser, the soap often breaks down quickly, gets clogged frequently, and requires constant replacement of the dispenser head.

This article will explore why clay soap shortens the lifespan of your soap dispensers , and ultimately, how factories can prepare for this.

How are clay soaps different from regular liquid soaps?

1. High viscosity

Clay soap is thicker and more viscous than the liquid soaps commonly sold for use in hotels or department stores. This viscosity makes pumping or pressing clay soap out of the dispenser more forceful than usual.

2. There are small mineral particles (Particles)

Since clay soap is made from finely ground white clay or chalk, it often contains “tiny mineral dust” that, although very small, can clog the dispenser head and cause the valves or internal components to deteriorate faster.

These two features are the “main culprits” that cause all types of soap dispensers to malfunction.

Problems with soap dispensers

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Manual soap dispenser

More pressure is required because the viscosity of the clay soap is high.
Pump springs and rods wear out faster due to having to withstand more pressure than before.
The dispenser head is easily clogged, causing soap to not come out or only a small amount to come out.

Automatic Soap Dispenser

The motor has to work harder to push the thick soap → shorten the lifespan.
Motor gears wear out quickly, which may cause the machine to stop working prematurely.
Small particles in the clay soap clog the dispenser head, preventing the dispenser from working efficiently.

No matter which machine is used, problems are inevitable. The only difference is the “human power” and “motor power”.

Why is it so difficult to solve?

Many factories are trying to find solutions such as:

Dilute the clay soap with water to make it more liquid than usual, but this will ruin the clay soap's properties and sometimes it will still be too viscous for the dispenser.
Use a more durable pump, such as one designed for thick creams or lotions, which will eventually wear out faster with continued use in the factory.
Cleaning the nozzles frequently helps in the short term, but increases labor and time costs.

The main reason this is difficult to solve is that there are no soap dispensers specifically designed for clay soap available in the commercial market.

How should customers prepare and cope?

Accept that the lifespan of the machine will be shortened.
- Whether it is a normal or automatic machine, if using clay soap → the lifespan is shorter than using general liquid soap.
Budget for more frequent nozzle replacements or maintenance.
- Factories should view this expense as a “normal cost” of operating under Halal standards.
Choose a machine that is more durable than usual.
- Choose a pump head or machine designed for viscous fluids. While it is more expensive, it will extend the life of the pump to a certain extent.
Prepare a maintenance plan
- Clean the nozzle regularly.
- Stock spare parts such as pump heads or spare motors in advance.
summarize

The use of clay soap in Halal food factories is inevitable as it complies with religious requirements and production standards. However, factories must understand that all soap dispensers, whether manual or automatic, face the same problems :

Overworked due to high viscosity
The nozzle is clogged due to mineral powder in the soapy soil.
Shortens the life of the machine

Therefore, the key is not to avoid it, but to accept it and prepare a budget for maintenance and spare parts replacement . Ultimately, cleanliness and Halal standards are the top priorities for a factory.

Although clay soap is essential for Halal food factories, usage issues with soap dispensers are inevitable. If your factory requires automatic soap dispensers and conventional soap dispensers that are designed for industrial use and have a professional after-sales team,