I'm sorry to hear about the soap spill. Removing the strong scent of scented soap from your sink and dishes can be challenging, but there are some steps you can take to help eliminate the lingering smell:
Rinse thoroughly: Start by thoroughly rinsing your sink and dishes with warm water to remove as much of the soap residue as possible.
Vinegar solution: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray this solution over the sink and dishes, then let it sit for a few minutes. Vinegar is effective at neutralizing odors. Afterward, rinse everything well with water.
Baking soda paste: Create a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water. Apply the paste to the sink and any dishes that still smell like soap. Scrub gently with a sponge or scrub brush. Baking soda is known for its odor-absorbing properties.
Activated charcoal: Placing some activated charcoal near the sink or in the dish cabinet can help absorb lingering smells. Activated charcoal is excellent for odor removal.
Coffee grounds: Alternatively, you can put some fresh coffee grounds in a bowl and place it near the sink or inside the cabinet with the dishes. Coffee grounds can help absorb odors as well.
Sunlight and fresh air: If possible, place the dishes outside in direct sunlight for a few hours. Fresh air and sunlight can help dissipate odors.
Repeat washing: Continue to wash your dishes with regular dish soap, preferably one without a strong scent, and rinse them thoroughly after each use. Over time, this should help remove any residual scent.
Patience: It might take a few days for the scent to completely disappear, so be patient and keep implementing these odor-removal methods consistently.
Remember that using unscented or mildly scented dish soap moving forward can help prevent overpowering odors in the future. If the smell persists despite trying these methods, it's possible that the soap has soaked into materials like wood or porous plastic, and complete removal might be challenging. In such cases, you may need to replace those items to get rid of the smell entirely.