Oven mitts get splashed with grease, sauce and melted cheese, then go straight back in the drawer. Most people never wash them at all. But dirty mitts harbor bacteria, smell stale, and grease-soaked fabric can even become a fire hazard. Here’s how to wash oven mitts properly, whether yours are cotton, quilted fabric or silicone.
Table of Contents
- Start With the Care Label
- How to Wash Oven Mitts Made of Fabric
- How to Clean Silicone Oven Mitts
- Removing Grease and Burn Stains
- Safety Tips and When to Replace Them
- Washing Guide by Mitt Material
- Oven Mitt Care Questions
- The Short Version
Start With the Care Label
Before anything else, check the tag. Most cotton and quilted mitts are machine washable, but some have insulation layers that clump or flatten in a washing machine. Mitts with a silicone outer and fabric lining often need hand washing. The label tells you which method is safe, and it’s the first step in how to wash oven mitts without ruining them.
How to Wash Oven Mitts Made of Fabric
For machine-washable cotton or quilted mitts:
- Pre-treat stains. Rub a drop of dish soap directly into any greasy spots and let it sit for 10–15 minutes. Dish soap is designed to break down grease.
- Wash on a warm or hot cycle with your regular detergent, following the label’s temperature limit. Wash them with kitchen towels rather than delicate clothing.
- Skip fabric softener. It can leave a residue that reduces absorbency and may affect heat resistance.
- Dry completely. Tumble dry on low or air-dry, depending on the label. Make sure they’re fully dry inside before using them again.
For hand washing, fill a sink with hot water and dish soap, soak the mitts for 20 minutes, scrub the dirty areas, rinse well, press out the water with a towel and hang them to dry.
How to Clean Silicone Oven Mitts
Silicone mitts are the easiest of all. Wash them in hot, soapy water, rinse and dry. Many fully silicone mitts are also top-rack dishwasher-safe, though you should confirm that on the packaging. If yours has a fabric lining, clean the silicone exterior by hand and let the lining air-dry fully inside out if possible.
Knowing how to wash oven mitts made of silicone also means tackling the sticky film they sometimes develop. A paste of baking soda and water, scrubbed in and rinsed off, removes it.
Removing Grease and Burn Stains
Heavy stains are the hardest part of how to wash oven mitts, and they need a little more effort. Try these, one at a time:
- Dish soap soak: soak the mitts overnight in hot water with a generous squeeze of dish soap, then wash as normal.
- Baking soda scrub: sprinkle baking soda on damp stains, scrub with an old cloth and rinse.
- Oxygen bleach: for light-colored cotton mitts, an oxygen-based stain remover soak can lift old discoloration. Follow the product directions.
Scorch marks are usually permanent. If the fabric is burned through or thin, it’s no longer protecting your hands.
Safety Tips and When to Replace Them
The most important rule: never use damp oven mitts. Water conducts heat far faster than dry fabric, so wet mitts can cause a steam burn the moment you grab a hot pan. That’s why drying is the most critical part of how to wash oven mitts.
Keep mitts away from open flames and stovetop burners, too. The National Fire Protection Association recommends keeping anything that can catch fire, including oven mitts and towels, away from your stovetop.
Replace your mitts if you notice holes, thin spots, scorched patches, or if you can feel heat coming through. If it’s time for a new pair, see our picks for the best oven mitts under $20.
Washing Guide by Mitt Material
Always check the care label first, because it overrides any general advice. As a rule of thumb, though, here’s how common oven mitt materials are usually cleaned:
| Mitt Material | How to Clean | Drying | Replace When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton or quilted cotton | Machine wash, usually warm | Air dry or tumble low | Fabric is scorched, thin or stays damp |
| Silicone | Hand wash or wipe; dishwasher only if labeled | Air dry fully | Silicone cracks or splits |
| Silicone shell with fabric lining | Wipe the outside; spot clean the lining | Air dry inside out before reuse | Lining gets thin or won’t dry |
| Neoprene | Hand wash with mild soap | Air dry away from heat | Surface cracks or peels |
Never use a damp mitt. Water conducts heat quickly, so a wet mitt can burn you even if the fabric is thick.
Oven Mitt Care Questions
How often should you wash oven mitts?
Wash fabric mitts every week or two with regular use, and right away after a big grease spill. Silicone mitts can be wiped down after every use.
Can you put oven mitts in the dryer?
Many cotton mitts can be tumble-dried on low, but check the label. Air-drying is safer for mitts with silicone parts or thick insulation.
Why do my oven mitts smell bad?
Trapped grease and moisture. Wash them, then make sure they dry completely before storing them in a drawer.
Are silicone or fabric oven mitts easier to clean?
Silicone mitts are easier to clean and resist stains, while fabric mitts are more flexible but need regular machine washing.
The Short Version
Now you know how to wash oven mitts of every type: check the label, pre-treat grease with dish soap, wash warm, skip the softener, and always dry them completely. A clean, dry pair protects your hands better and keeps your kitchen smelling fresh. Make learning how to wash oven mitts part of your regular kitchen routine.