diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/clown_items.dm b/code/game/objects/items/clown_items.dm
index fbe70c40948..3b174b0c167 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/clown_items.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/clown_items.dm
@@ -150,6 +150,8 @@
 		return
 	return ..()
 
+/obj/item/soap/attackby_storage_insert(datum/storage, atom/storage_holder, mob/living/user)
+	return !user?.combat_mode  // only cleans a storage item if on combat
 
 /*
  * Bike Horns