I just found out why my silicone kitchen utensils taste soapy — here’s how to fix it

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Say goodbye to soapy silicone taste

Red silicone cooking utensils in red container
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Whether you enjoy baking or simply want a durable cooking tool, silicone utensils can be super versatile. But while these silicone kitchen essentials are easy to maintain, they often come with a common problem — a lingering soapy taste.

This is especially noticeable after a few washes in scented dish soaps, which can often transfer into your tasty foods. So why is this? And more importantly, how do you fix it?

Why does my silicone taste soapy?

OXO Silicone baking cups

OXO Silicone baking cups (Image credit: Future / Camilla Sharman)

The answer lies in the silicone's structure. Although it is a non-porous material, meaning it doesn't absorb moisture like wooden utensils, it can absorb oil and soap substances at a microscopic level.

What’s more, food-grade silicone tends to pick up strong flavors and odors more, which means that if you wash your utensils a lot, you’ll probably be adding a soapy flavor to them too.

Luckily, there is an easy way to get around this, and it just involves a common item that you’re most likely to find in your fruit bowl. Plus, it’s natural, chemical-free, and won’t cost you a thing.

How to get rid of the soapy silicone taste with lemons

Lemons with salt

Lemons with salt (Image credit: Shutterstock)

It turns out that lemons are a great way to get rid of silicone odors and lingering soap, and there are so many things you didn’t know you could clean with a lemon. This is mainly because lemons are a natural bleaching agent that can deodorize bad odors, leaving a fresh scent.

You can use lemons to clean different silicone utensils in two ways. The first is ideal for tools with flat surfaces and fewer grooves, such as spatulas or children’s plates.

Simply cut a lemon in half and rub it along the surface of your silicone utensil. Next, leave the items to sit for approximately 15 minutes, then rinse them under hot, unscented soapy water. For added precaution, rinse them a second time with clean water and let them air-dry completely before their next use.

The other method is to just soak your silicone in a homemade solution of water, lemon juice, and a mild, scent-free dish soap. You can either use a large bowl, container, or even close the drain and fill your sink with these ingredients before submerging the utensils.

For this, it’s best to soak for about an hour before draining the sink and rinsing your tools thoroughly in hot water to remove all residue traces.

Of course, the main thing is to simply avoid using heavily-scented liquid detergents when cleaning your silicone. Plus, fresh lemon would probably taste much nicer than soap.

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Cynthia Lawrence
Cynthia Lawrence
Content Editor, Homes

As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features. 


Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many.


With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!


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