For hand soap and body wash, a metal-free pump is a dispenser built entirely from plastic, with no metal spring in the product path. It lets you package a liquid or foaming soap with a closure that is designed for recyclability, and it keeps metal out of contact with the formula. The best fit depends on whether your soap is a liquid or a foam, how thick it is, and how much you want each stroke to dispense.
Why soap and body wash are a natural fit for metal-free pumps
Soaps and body washes are used every day, often in wet bathrooms and kitchens. The pump gets pressed many times over the life of the bottle. Most conventional pumps rely on a metal spring to return the actuator after each stroke. That spring sits inside the pump, in contact with the soap, and it complicates recycling because it is hard to separate from the plastic.
An all-plastic pump replaces the metal spring with a plastic return mechanism. That gives brands three practical benefits:
- The formula only contacts plastic on its way out of the bottle.
- The pump can be designed for recyclability, with no metal spring to remove.
- Your sustainability story is easier to explain on pack and online.
To understand the recycling side in more depth, read how pumps and sprayers are sorted and recycled.
Liquid soap or foaming soap: which pump do you need?
The first decision is the format. A liquid soap or body wash needs a lotion-style pump that dispenses the product as-is. A foaming soap needs a foamer pump that mixes the liquid with air as it dispenses. The two are not interchangeable.
| Format | Pump type | Typical products | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid hand soap | All-plastic lotion pump | Kitchen and bathroom hand soap | Dosage per stroke, viscosity, neck finish |
| Body wash and shower gel | All-plastic lotion pump with larger dose | Body wash, shower gel, 2-in-1 products | Higher dose for larger use amounts; lock style for travel |
| Foaming hand soap | All-plastic foamer pump | Foaming hand wash, refill concentrates | Formula must be thin and designed to foam |
| Foaming cleanser or body foam | Foamer pump or mini foaming trigger | Facial foams, shower foams, specialty cleansers | Foam density, bottle size, how the customer holds it |
Choosing dosage and lock style
Dosage
Dosage is the amount dispensed per full stroke, measured in cc. Hand soaps often work well with a moderate dose, so one or two pumps cover a hand wash. Body washes usually benefit from a larger dose, because customers use more product per shower. As examples from our range, the Infinity V2 Lotion Pump dispenses 1.5cc per stroke, and the clip-lock all-plastic lotion pump dispenses 3.5cc. For more on matching dose and neck size, see our neck finish and dosage guide.
Lock style
Locks keep the pump closed during shipping and storage. An up-lock design locks the actuator in the raised position. A clip-lock uses a removable clip to hold the actuator down. Choose based on how the product ships and how the customer will open it the first time.
Viscosity and compatibility
Hand soaps range from thin, watery liquids to thicker gels. Body washes are often thicker still and may include oils, pearlizers or exfoliating particles. A pump that works with one formula may struggle with another. Test your actual formula in the pump you plan to use, checking:
- Priming: how many strokes it takes to deliver product from a new bottle.
- Consistent output: whether each stroke delivers the same amount.
- Recovery: whether the actuator returns fully after each stroke.
- Leaks: around the closure and actuator, upright and on its side.
- Stability: performance after storage at room and elevated temperatures.
Our article on how to test a metal-free pump with your formula covers a full test plan.
Recyclability and claims for soap packaging
An all-plastic pump removes one of the biggest barriers to recycling a soap bottle. Even so, make claims that are accurate and supported. Following the FTC Green Guides, use wording such as "designed for recyclability" or "recyclable where facilities accept it." For pumps that are APR-recognized for recyclability, you can state that recognition.
Remember that all-plastic and mono-material are different. A mono-material pump is made from a single resin family. An all-plastic pump has no metal but may combine resins. If mono-material matters for your brand, choose a product that is specifically listed as mono-material.
How APG can help
APG offers all-plastic pumps suited to hand soap and body wash:
- Infinity Foamer Pump: PP, all-plastic and APR-recognized, for foaming hand soaps.
- Infinity Lotion Pump: APR-recognized, with a water-resistant design and all plastic components with no metal contact with product.
- Infinity V2 Lotion Pump: PP mono all-plastic, up-lock, 1.5cc dosage, ribbed or smooth.
- Clip-lock all-plastic lotion pump: PP, clip-lock, 3.5cc dosage for body wash and larger doses.
- Infinity Mini Foaming Trigger: an all-plastic option for foaming cleansers.
See the full range of our metal-free pumps and sprayers, or browse all pumps.
Common questions
Can I use the same pump for liquid and foaming soap?
No. Liquid soap needs a lotion-style pump, and foaming soap needs a foamer pump that mixes in air. Choose the pump to match the format.
Are all-plastic pumps water resistant?
The Infinity Lotion Pump has a water-resistant design, which suits wet environments like showers and sinks. Test any pump in your intended conditions.
What dosage is right for body wash?
Body wash often benefits from a larger dose than hand soap. The clip-lock all-plastic lotion pump, at 3.5cc, is one option to sample.
Is a metal-free soap pump mono-material?
Not always. Only call a pump mono-material if it is made from a single resin family, such as the Infinity V2 Lotion Pump, which is PP mono all-plastic.
Can the pump match my brand colors?
The Infinity Lotion Pump can be configured in multiple color combinations. Ask us about color options, lead times and minimums for your project.
Planning a new soap or body wash, or switching an existing one? Request samples or a quote and we will help you choose the right metal-free pump.