When your relatively new soap dispenser starts to show rust around the lid, you probably immediately get into Fix-it-Felix mode. But while fixing, you probably kept on repeating to yourself; how on earth did this thing rust so fast? And how do I keep my mason jar soap dispenser from rusting?
The best way to keep your soap dispenser rust-free is by coating it with a clear nail polisher. You can also paint it with water-resistant paint or use resin, which will hinder the oxidation of the metal lid. Finally, the best thing to do is to create a scenario where rust can’t develop.
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Rust on any home product is not only a nuisance that needs to be dealt with immediately. But if left for too long, it may even cause you harm.
As long as your soap dispenser remains in a moisture-prone area, it will naturally rust around the lid. Luckily, there are multiple home hacks you can employ to keep the rust at bay. They may need a regular application, but they will efficiently prolong your mason jar soap dispenser’s shelf-life.
Why Does Mason Jar Rust?
First, we need to understand why this happens so we can try to avoid it in the future or to fix the problem much quicker.
Mason jars typically come with sport metal lids and metal rings. Even though they esthetically look really lovely, they also rust when they come in contact with moisture. Since the subject is a soap dispenser, there are more chances for water to flow down the mason jar lid.
These jar lids are mostly made with either iron or steel. And it is exactly these iron lids and rings that are prone to developing rust due to oxidation. This is why steel generally gets substituted for stainless steel to prevent rust formation.
I did say oxidation, but even if you could substantially avoid water contact, the soap dispenser remains in a wet and humid environment. So only rust, but all kinds of mold and mildew growth get promoted under such conditions.
Should You Worry If You Have Rust on Your Soap Dispenser?
In general, rust is a development you would like to avoid at all costs; however, it’s not particularly life-threatening. As previously stated, unfortunately, the mason jar soap dispenser is prone to develop rust much quicker than other products out there.
This means that there is a pretty big chance that yours will at some point have rust too. The good news is, if you can identify rust at the early stage, there is nothing worry about.
However, if you let rust run its course, these are the typical things that might happen with a rusty soap dispenser:
- The first thing to note when you see rust on your mason jar is the rust dust that falls around it. In addition to weakening and disintegrating the mason jar lid, the rust starts polluting the countertops. If neglected, the rust begins forming stubborn stains on them, giving additional headaches.
- The next issue lies in opening and closing the mason jar soap dispenser. Rust causes the jar lid to scrape against the jar opening when screwing open or close. This frictional movement encourages more rust dust to fall from grace. Further, the already rusted safety rings break down readily, sending you out to acquire more of them.
- Another seemingly strange issue with rust on the soap dispenser is the soap turning all shades of green. If the soap dispenser’s metal lid contains a bit of brass, it dyes the soap with its residue. Essentially, the soap turns reactive with metal residue making it highly detrimental to your health.
How to Fix a rusty mason jar soap dispenser?
Rusty mason jar lids and rings embellishing your soap dispenser are unwelcome sights on a clean bathroom countertop. Luckily, there is an easy solution to get them fixed naturally!
Yes, white vinegar is a versatile kitchen commodity that performs incredibly efficiently in multiple DIY hacks. You have probably utilized white vinegar in a concoction to remove some stubborn stains from a remote corner of your kitchen.
It is a natural cleaning agent and deceptively handy in eliminating numerous stain and odor issues. All you have to do to get the rust off your soap dispenser is rub some vinegar over the rusty area and wash.
Firmly clean the rusted rings, jar lid, and opening with a cloth dipped in white vinegar. The rust readily cleans off without much struggle. Then, clean off the jar lid and ring with warm soapy water and let it dry completely.
It is essential to let the components dry thoroughly to discourage the frequent development of rust. Since the mason jar soap dispenser gets eternally situated in the bathroom, all you can do is ensure its regular upkeep.
How to Keep Mason Jar Soap Dispensers from Rusting?
There are numerous simple DIY ways to keep the rust off the mason jar soap dispenser. A few alternatives to using white vinegar are either sanding or scrubbing off the lids’ rust. Even though they may be non-natural ways to remove rust, but they work just as effectively.
Steel wools are ideal for scrubbing off the rust patina from the mason jar lid and ring. If the metal ring gets degraded beyond repair, you are better off getting a new one and maintaining it after.
A few other hacks involve creating your own rust-proof mason jar lids with these time-tested solutions.
- Load some clear nail polish into a spray bottle. After cleaning the rust off the mason lid jar and ring, allow them to dry. Then spray on the nail polish liberally to lay on a preventive layer coat between the metallic lid and water.
- Another way to keep the rust away from the mason jar lid is to paint it with water-resistant paint.
- Resin is also a good solution. It will hinder the oxidation of the metal lid. Either resin glue, pure resin, or Rustoleum provide efficient and productive results. They keep the rust away by forming a much-needed protective coating that lasts comparatively long against water.
- Waxing (with raw beeswax)the metal components is another way to tackle rust development.
The ugly truth about mason jar soap dispensers is their propensity to develop rust regardless of any hack you utilize. All the approaches mentioned above are merely short-term processes that require a regular application in eliminating the rust issues.
Are There Better Alternatives to Mason Jar Soap Dispensers?
A more permanent solution to mason jar soap dispensers is simply getting stainless steel rings and lids. They may be pricey compared to the regular metal lids but do not rust, which is, for me, a crucial purchase factor. Even plastic lids fare better against metal lids when utilized in moisture-prone areas.
Final Thoughts
Bear in mind that getting the rust off of mason jar soap dispensers is merely postponing the inevitable. They are bound to get rusted anyway.
Even with all the discouragement around mason jar soap dispensers, they are an aesthetic material to experiments with.
Your mason jars that act as soap dispensers need not be bare and generic. You can add in some glitter and knick-knacks to transform the asset into a delightful and customized gift!
There are always two sides to a coin, and the same goes for mason jar soap dispensers. Just try leaning towards their worth-while side and experience the joy of artfully utilizing a mason jar despite its flaws.
With this handy guide, you now know how to Fix-it-Felix the rust off of mason jars soap dispensers!
