Soap dishes are used in the bathroom and at the washstand. When you go to buy one, there are so many types available that it can be hard to choose, right?

This time, we actually purchased soap dishes made from the main materials:

• Stainless steel
• Plastic
• Silicone

and thoroughly tested the differences between these three common materials for one month!

If you're interested in the features, pros and cons of different soap dish materials, and which material might be best for you, please read on.

Stainless Steel, Plastic, and Silicone Soap Dishes

First, let's introduce the soap dishes of each material we purchased!

Stainless Steel Soap Dish

Stylish silver stainless steel.

Plastic Soap Dish

Simple white plastic.

Silicone Soap Dish

Silicone, designed to hold soap at an angle.

These are all familiar materials for soap dishes, aren't they?

There are also sponge types sold at 100-yen shops and Muji, as well as diatomaceous earth and wooden types found in interior design stores. However, for this test, we focused on these three commonly available materials.

[Actual Test] 1 Month of Using 3 Materials

We compared stainless steel, plastic, and silicone soap dishes for one month.

We thoroughly tested which material is the easiest to use, how easily it gets dirty, and how well it drains water!

At the end, I'll also share my personal recommendations!

Soap Dish Comparison Test

We compared the three types of soap dishes focusing on the following points:

• Good drainage
• How easily dirt accumulates
• Usability (non-slip, stability)

During the test period, cleaning of the soap dishes was strictly forbidden (lol)! We left any dirt as it was to monitor the degree of accumulation.

Also, the soap dishes were placed in the bathroom where they received an appropriate amount of shower water, and all three soaps were used equally every day.

Test Overview

Test Period: 1 month
Placement Location: Bathroom, in a spot with appropriate shower water exposure
Bathroom Conditions: 24-hour ventilation
Usage Frequency: Once daily
Soap Used: General 3-pack soap purchased from a drugstore

[Soap Dish] Results after 1 Month of Continuous Use of 3 Materials

Now, let's immediately share the results of using the three types of soap dishes in the bathroom for one month without any cleaning.

Comparison of Water Drainage by Material

First, we compared the water drainage.

Stainless Steel Drainage

Stainless steel generally has excellent drainage. Water from the soap flows off quickly. However, the soap gradually started to sink into the narrow stainless steel parts where it made contact, and after about two weeks, those areas remained damp. As the days passed, the underside of the soap would feel slimy when picked up.

Plastic Drainage

Plastic also has good drainage due to its structure. However, following the same principle as stainless steel, the contact points with the soap are thin, causing a slight indentation over time. Slime remains around these areas, and the poor airflow to the bottom means the underside of the soap constantly stays slimy. I dropped the soap several times due to the sliminess when picking it up (sweat emoji).

Silicone Drainage

Silicone had excellent drainage. Water from the soap flowed off quickly, and its structure allowed for good airflow. The contact surface with the soap was also wide, so there was no indentation. I didn't feel any sliminess for a month, even with daily use.

Comparison of Dirt Accumulation by Material

Next, we compared the dirt accumulation on the soap dishes after one month.

Stainless Steel Dirt

The contact points with the soap, being prone to dampness due to indentation, retained melted soap, showing residue.

The base also showed white streaks from soap residue in certain areas.

Since it's a fine grid, cleaning seems like it would be a bit of a hassle.

Plastic Dirt

The plastic one, due to poor airflow at the bottom, resulted in some soap residue along with slime.

In the case of this soap dish, the width was a perfect fit for the soap, which made it look tidy. However, this also meant that when putting the soap back, it was easy to rub against the side edges, leading to soap residue accumulating from the scraped-off parts.

With plastic, once soap residue adheres, it tends to stick stubbornly.

Silicone Dirt

While the silicone soap dish generally had no slime, white soap residue remained on the contact points with the soap.

The back and underside remained relatively clean.

Usability (Non-slip, Stability)

Finally, we compared usability.

Stainless Steel Usability

The stainless steel model has non-slip feet and is very stable due to its structure. Compared to the other two, it is larger, requiring a bit more space. Since it's made of stainless steel, dropping it in the bathroom will produce a loud noise, so be careful.

Plastic Usability

The plastic model was a perfect fit for the soap, so when the soap was new and large, it was difficult to remove. If there was slime, I had to be very careful when picking it up, or it would slip. The main body has no non-slip features, but it's compact, so if the placement surface is level and free of slime, it's generally stable. Dropping it in the bathroom produces a loud sound.

Silicone Usability

The silicone soap dish, due to its material properties, has high non-slip effectiveness and is stable. Since it has no side guards and the soap is placed at an angle, it's easy to pick up and place the soap. There's absolutely no problem if you place it normally, but if you forcefully place a wet soap from the side, it slides to the other side, so be careful (it once slipped from my hand and almost slid all the way across, haha). If you drop it in the bathroom, the soft material prevents a loud noise.

Recommended Soap Dish Materials by Type

Based on the one-month test results, here are our recommendations for each material.

Stainless steel is recommended for:

Stainless steel soap dishes are recommended for:

People who have stainless steel racks in their bathroom

If you have stainless steel racks or shower caddies, a silver soap dish will create a cohesive and stylish look, enhancing the overall aesthetic!

Those who want to buy something easily at a 100-yen shop, etc.

Stainless steel items are readily available at 100-yen shops and other stores, offering good cost performance.

Those who are particular about shape

Stainless steel comes in various shapes depending on the manufacturer, offering a wide range of choices to pick your preferred type.

Plastic is recommended for:

Plastic soap dishes are recommended for:

Those who prioritize cost performance

Plastic is relatively inexpensive and easy to acquire, making it perfect for those who want to save money.

Lightweight and easy to handle

Lightweight and easy to handle, it's also recommended for seniors who want to avoid heavy items.

Rich color variations and designs

There are many colorful and diverse designs available, making them recommended for those who care about color, cuteness, and style.

Silicone is recommended for:

Silicone soap dishes are recommended for:

Those concerned about drainage and sliminess

Excellent drainage and resistance to slime make it ideal for those who prioritize cleanliness. It can also be safely used with high-end soaps and softer shampoo bars.

Those who value ease of use

It's stable, easy to pick up and place, making for a comfortable user experience. Additionally, the softness of the material ensures high safety, making it recommended for households with children.

Those who want easy cleaning

Silicone is easy to clean, and its simple structure means cleaning takes minimal time and effort.

How to Choose a Soap Dish: Key Points to Avoid Mistakes

Based on our one-month test, I've compiled a list of checkpoints for those looking to buy a soap dish. Please use them as a reference!

Stainless Steel Checkpoints

When choosing a stainless steel soap dish, pay attention to the following points:

• Drainage: Choose one with space beneath the soap.
• Shape: A simple design with thicker stainless steel.
• Durability: Choose rust-resistant stainless steel.

Inexpensive stainless steel tends to rust easily, so if you want it to last, it's a good idea to choose a slightly more expensive one (one that specifies the quality of the material).

Plastic Checkpoints

When choosing a plastic soap dish, pay attention to the following points:

• Material: Choose a material that is thick enough not to break.
• Design: For complex designs, check ease of cleaning; rounder shapes are less likely to catch soap.
• Size: Many plastic items are small, so check the size compatibility with the soap you will use.

Plastic is prone to breaking, so it tends to be fragile in bathrooms with hard floors. It's best to choose one that seems as sturdy as possible.

Silicone Checkpoints

When choosing a silicone soap dish, pay attention to the following points:

• Material: Check if it's too thin or too soft, which could make it unstable.
• Drainage: Ensure it has a good drainage structure.
• Design: Make sure the grooves aren't too fine, which could cause dirt to accumulate.

Silicone is a soft material, so if it's too thin, it may lack stability, and flat types might have poor drainage.

Common Soap Dish Checkpoints

Regardless of the material you choose, the following points are universally important to check!

• Size: Choose a size that is slightly larger than the soap.
• Design: Consider if it's easy to clean and if the soap's contact surface tends to become indented.
• Disposal: Is the material combustible or non-combustible waste? (Search for "material name + your region" as it varies by area.)

Recommended Soap Dish Material

Based on my personal experience during this test, the "silicone soap dish" was the best.

My Impressions of Each Material After the Test

The stainless steel one was large, easy to pick up the soap, and stable. However, there were no other silver items in the bathroom, so it didn't quite match the aesthetic, which was a bit of a shame (lol).

Cleaning it after the test also took the longest time.

The plastic one offered good cost performance, but it became quite slimy with continued use. So, if you plan to place it in a wet area, you might want to be careful. The particular soap dish I used was also a bit difficult to remove the soap from, which was a minor disappointment. After the test, cleaning was relatively easy with hot water and a sponge, though dirt in the corners was a bit tricky to remove.

The silicone one had no major drawbacks and offered a stress-free experience. After the test, perhaps due to the material, accumulated dirt was easily wiped clean with just a quick swipe.

I also noticed, as a subtle point of comfort while using it, that it didn't feel cold or hard to the touch. The natural color scheme also gave the bathroom a gentle ambiance, which was a plus!

Additionally, I usually use a shampoo bar, which is softer than regular soap, so the silicone one, which prevents it from sinking in, suited me well.