Kia ora

Thanks for being part of the seachange that is switching from single use plastics to using Block Dock^TM  soap dishes with solid bars. Whether you bought one for yourself or received as a gift, below is some information that's useful to know in order to get a lifetime's great use from your Block Dock^TM  soap dish and more life from every bar you store in it. 

The Block Dock^TM  vertical soap dish is an evergreen solution made in New Zealand in either 304 stainless steel or in powdercoated aluminium (depending which one you choose). If yours is very light to hold and coloured, it's aluminium. Both are designed for bathroom conditions and will stay in tip top condition if you wipe the Block Dock^TM  soap dish clean from time to time (by finger or cloth, it's your choice) and dry it off completely on occasion (weekly is good for Stainless Steel).

The stainless steel Block Dock^TM s are dishwasher safe (sans suction cup). Better to keep the aluminium out of the dishwasher though - it's not designed for in there. Both kinds are 100% recyclable at end of life, though not the suction cup sadly. That said, it will keeping suctioning for a very long time!

Placement

Water is the mortal enemy of soap. So, to make sure your bar lasts and lasts, pick a location to suction your Block Dock^TM outside the direct water spray. For example, above and to the side of the shower head - but still reachable. Where you can, wet yourself then use your dry bar straight from the Block Dock^TM . It doesn't need extra time under water. Pop it back in your holder to drain.

In basins and sinks find a spot inside the bowl at the back near the faucet but not in direct line of the water. This placement keeps your surfaces clear and makes washing your hands clean and simple.    

The Suction Cup

Each Block Dock^TM soap dish is shipped with one 52mm pvc suction cup.

While it can stand upright on any flat surface, it does its best 'no-mess' work when side mounted on non-textured walls with its suction cup. 

It WILL adhere to glass, acrylic, vitreous china, steel, most smooth tiles, and mirror.

It will NOT adhere to textured tiles, paint etc because the suction cup cannot form the vacuum it needs to work. If your glass has been coated with water stain protectant, it's not likely to suction to that either unfortunately.

Ready to attach the Block Dock^TM? You need to know this:

Wipe the surface* you intend to adhere the Block Dock^TM to. Wet the back of the suction cup with water and press hard on the centre 'nob' of the suction cup where you want it stay. Give the rest of the suction cup a press against the surface if it hasn't already made itself at home. Then slip your Block Dock^TM onto it, pulling the Dock down so the nob fits tight in the top part of the 'keyhole'. For most situations, it's as easy as this! When you want to change the location just lift the small tag and the suction will break. 

*For some surfaces you'll be best to use isopropyl alcohol on the wall surface and the back of the suction cup before attaching as above.

Some surfaces can take a little more time and need The Layering Method. If you put your Block Dock^TM up and it stays for a while then falls, this is probably the case for you. Simply attach the suction cup as above but leave it for a few hours or overnight by itself. After the time passes, slot the Block Dock^TM onto the suction cup through the keyhole - so the nob is tight in the top section. Give that a little time by itself as well, and after you know it will stay put add your bar and you're away laughing. 

If your surface won't suction (e.g. textured tiles, paint) the simplest option is to suction to the nearest glass or to stand then upright on a shelf. But there are other ways....

Most Block Dock^TM s have two additional multipurpose holes in the back - for threading a cable tie (best option for a tight fit), stainless wire, ribbon or whatever you have through so you can tie it to your shower rail or some other fixture in the event the suction cup just won't work on your surfaces. I've also had success hanging it from the hook on my shower curtain if your shower is old school like mine. Alternatively you could try a 3M wet/dry strip available at Storage Box or a hardware store or, if your surface allows it, a suitably sized flat head screw through the keyhole or smaller screws through the multipurpose holes in the back.

To remove the suction cup just lift the small tag on the edge to break the vacuum.

If you have a Shower Dome, you'll want to give your bars some time outside the shower to harden because the volume of moisture inside the cubicle is higher than a normal shower. Constant moisture is an enemy of bars and the shower dome environment can be brutal if your bars don't get some time in the fresh air. It's fine to keep your Block Dock^TM soap dishes and bars in your shower, but not all the time - and it depends on how many showers are taken each day in your house. I highly recommend relocating them every few days for a breather! You'll be able see when you need to move them I'm sure. They will adhere to the outside of your shower, so I'd recommend you grab an extra suction cup to put in your preferred 'fresh air' location. The you just need move the Block Dock^TM and bar to that place now and again rather than the whole process of suction cup install.

Your efforts to reduce plastic waste by switching out all your products in bottles to replacements in solid bars will be 200% worth it - for your own experience and for our planet. I created the Block Dock^TM soap dish to make this both easy and rewarding for you (and me) and I'd love to know how it goes for you. When you're ready, please pop onto www.theblockdock.co.nz and leave a review or head to FB, Insta and Pinterest (all @theblockdock) to do the same there too.

I wish you happy times with your Block Dock^TM vertical soap dish and bars. 

Clare Wilson

Maker