Abstract: A dispenser stores and dispenses two fluent materials, such as detergent and rinse aid in a clothes washer or diswashing machine. The dispenser has a hollow casing defining a pair of discrete storage reservoirs for accommodating the detergent and rinse aid. The detergent and rinse aid are released from the dispenser under the operation of a thermomagnetic mechanism. The thermomagnetic mechanism includes a first lamellar element of an electrically conductive alloy having a Cuurie-point, a second electrically conductive element, and an electrically energizable heating element interposed between the first and second elements. The actuator includes a permanent magnet and a release mechanism to which either the permanent magnet or the thermomagnetic mechanism is mounted. An attractive force between the permanent magnet and thermomognetic mechanism maintains the release mechanism in a position in which the detergent and/or rinse aid is confined within a respective storage reservoir.