Recessed Soap Dish

Mounting a new recessed soap dish may seem like a daunting task for those that don't see themselves as the crafty type. It may take a little background reading before you jump head first into the project but once you've got the required tools to take your old soap dish out and put your new one in, you'll realize how easy it often is. 

Realistically, for many types of the recessed dishes, all you will need is a Phillips and Flathead screwdriver, a hammer, and a caulk gun that is loaded with caulk. The caulk will be used to reseal the recessed soap dish (interchangeably called a recessed soap holder) once it is in place.

Because water can damage the wall and backing of the soap dish, sealing it properly is a must otherwise you risk damaging not only the dish but also the wall from water corrosion.

In some cases, recessed soap dishes come in a polished brass, aluminum or chrome look. This provides a sort of elegance and grandeur to the bath. If you're looking to spice up the bathtub or shower, adding a brass or aluminum soap dish is the way to go. They're often relatively inexpensive and compared to other ceramic or porcelain ones, they are worth the investment.

Typically recessed soap dishes don't run anymore than about $25 or $30 depending on the type and brand you opt to go for. But don't go overboard. Some companies sell their name, not the product. Going for an “off brand” recessed soap holder won't be entirely detrimental. Shop smart.

When buying a recessed soap dish online, see if the one you're planning on purchasing is going to match the other facets of the room. Buying a gold or silver soap dish to match your green rug and red towels may not be a smart buy.

Compare colors and see what other users think about the quality and durability of the product you're looking at, whether it’s a chrome, porcelain, or ceramic recessed soap dish.

The recessed portion of the soap dish should be adequate enough to hold even large bars of soap so if you're looking at one that has a particularly small recess, you may want to reconsider. Also, you may want to look for a soap dish that has ridges along the bottom that will hold the soap better.

Many times, soap can slide right off if it's not held properly (check out the video above for installation instructions for tougher soap dish installs). Ultimately, don't go overboard with your recessed soap dish purchase.

We’ve highlighted the pictures of a few recessed dish holders on this site to help you brainstorm; have a look around! If you ultimately decide that you're not up for the installation of the recessed dish, you can check out other alternatives for shower soap dishes on the next page.