We've bought some silicone straws...

[lucysmam]

But, they taste like silicone. Is there a way to get rid of the taste?

Quick bump :)

My silicon bun cases never stopped tasting weird...

This is an unpopular opinion but no straws taste like plastic disposable straws

Paper straws have a weird texture, silicone straws taste weird (even weirder once through dishwasher), metal straws make me think I’ll have a ghastly accident and fall on one getting it stuck through my eye or something

I don’t actually use plastic straws anymore but man I miss them

@ShirleyPhallus dd1 wanted metal but I said no for that exact reason!

@MrsWooster I once borrowed a silicone mould for a giant cupcake & the cake tasted soapy so I gave it up as a bad job. I wonder if the silicone was to blame now you've said that 🤔

Why do you need straws?

We have metal ones, but only use them sitting down. Under threat of injury... obviously would not have to enforce this threat, as it would be self-enforcing! DD is a complete nutcase sometimes, so we have to demonstrate the possibility for injury or bad outcomes if she misbehaves.

Some people may need straws due to disability.

Have you washed them? Ours dont taste of anything

I use reusable plastic straws- as in buy a bottle with one in and when my children inevitably break my bottle I keep the straw
Tastes fine

I would worry about keeping non disposable straws properly clean. Yuck.

Why do you need straws?

Drinks taste nicer and it’s better for your teeth!

The silicone straws come with a little cleaning brush to keep the inside clean

Licking cake mix off the silicon spatula tastes disgusting, as does the last bit of scrambled egg. Doesn't seem to matter how expensive the silicon implement is unfortunately.

@Windyone I'd rather my girls drink fizzy pop through a straw when they have it. & dd2 likes a cup of tea with a straw before bed...no idea why, but she does. & paper ones turn to mush in warm tea.

dementedpixie yep, I've washed them. Maybe it'll wear off with use/washes.

Thrupennybrit I don't get to lick the cake mix they're normally stood with tea spoons at the ready to scrape the bowl when I bake

We use biodegradable straws. Taste no different than plastic (but not cheap).

Disability-related

How about reusable plastic ones like these?

Have you tried soaking them in bicarb?

Well there was a case recently where a lady had fallen over and the metal straw went through her eye into her brain, she didn't survive it. I think I'll stick to no-straws!

@whoami24601 that didn't occur to me to try, so no, but I will do now you've suggested it!

SDTG they maybe would have been better. We'll see how we get on with these for the moment & if they still taste funny over the next couple of weeks we'll look at acrylic ones instead :)

Just drink the drink without a straw.

Why use a straw?

Some of you seem to have mis-read my OP as a debate...it wasn't. It was asking if anyone knew how to get rid of the silicone taste . I missed out the part inviting either debate or judgement over my use of straws.

We have used a pack of reusable plastic straws that have lasted for probably about 10 years and are still going strong. They are solid but don't feel sharp like some of the metal ones.

How about bamboo straws, anyone tried them?

@ShirleyPhallus
Its happened.. www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/woman-dies-metal-straw-elena-struthers-gardner-inquest-coroner-a8996431.html%3famp

Read about it then chucked the metal straws i had just bought in the bin

Lucysmam - have you tried sodium bicarbonate on & in them for an hour ir so (dry), then a good wash? Or lemon juice diluted in water, to mask the smell? Can buy quite large bottles of lemon juice, PLJ is the brand, it's sold as a sugar-free, natural alternative to squash - it would possibly be cheaper, & certainly easier, than juicing a load of lemons.

JamesBlonde - as has previously been explained, some people have disabilities which mean they cannot always easily drink from a standard cup or bottle. How fortunate you are not to have encountered this.