How to Wash Oven Mitts — 12 Genius Tips & Tricks

Having oven mitts ready is an essential element of a successful baking session. You could get away with using tea towels to move things in and out of the oven, but when it comes to safety, you want something that can give you some insulation from that hot tray of cookies! But after a few uses, your oven mitts show signs of wear and tear.

Thankfully, with a bit of TLC, you can get them back in shape! Here are our top 12 tips and tricks for washing oven mitts so they’re as good as new. Let’s get started!

How to Wash Oven Mitts: Our 12 Tips!

1. Check the Label

The first rule of cleaning oven mitts is to check the label. Most oven mitts, both fabric and silicone, can be washed in cold water with a mild detergent in the washing machine (check if they’re machine-washable first).

Use a gentle cycle and avoid any harsh bleach or fabric softeners. For more delicate fabric oven mitts, handwashing might be a better option.

It’s important to remember that oven mitts often have a filling of cotton or fiberglass, which can be sensitive to heat and strong detergents. As such, you should never put them in the dryer. Instead, hang them up to air-dry.

Oven mitts typically dry out rather quickly, so you can get back to using yours without much delay between washes and cleanings.

2. Pre-Treat Stains

If you’ve got any stubborn stains on your oven mitts, pre-treating them is essential for getting rid of the marks. Start by using a stain remover. Spray liberally onto the stained area and allow it to sit for a few minutes before rinsing off.

For more persistent stains, you can also try scrubbing gently with a soft brush to lift the dirt and grime away. This should get the job done! Just be mindful of any rubberized coating or designs.

Many oven mitts have rubber on the outside that provides extra grip and protection. If you’re scrubbing these areas, use a gentle hand and avoid any abrasive bristles that could damage the fabric or coating.

Once the stains have been treated, it’s time to move on to washing your oven mitts!

3. Use Cold Water & Mild Soap

Once you’ve checked the label, it’s time to get started with washing your oven mitts. Start by filling a sink or bucket with cold water and add a few drops of mild liquid dish soap.

Gently swish the oven mitts in the soapy water for about 5 minutes before rinsing them off with cold water. You can also add a bit of white vinegar to the rinse water, as this will help to deodorize and sanitize your oven mitts.

Once they’ve been rinsed off, squeeze out any excess water and hang them up to air-dry. And that’s it! With just a few simple steps, you can effectively clean your oven mitts and keep them in tip-top shape.

4. Cleaning with a Washing Machine

If your oven mitts are machine-washable, you can also use a washing machine to clean them. Start by placing the mitts in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase and put them on the gentle cycle of your machine.

Make sure to use cold water and mild detergent and avoid any fabric softeners. Once the cycle is complete, hang them up to air-dry. For extra protection, you can also add a few towels in with your oven mitts while they’re washing. This will help reduce friction and prevent any pilling or wear on the fabric.

5. Avoid Heat & Strong Detergents

When it comes to cleaning oven mitts, heat, and strong detergents should be avoided at all costs. Heat can damage the filling of your mitts, while harsh detergents can strip away any protective coatings or rubberized grip on the outside.

Always check the label before washing your mitts and stick to the instructions. If you’re not sure, handwashing is always a safe option.

6. Deodorize & Sanitize

If you’ve got any strong odors coming from your oven mitts, there are a few simple ways to get rid of them. Start by adding a cup of white vinegar to the rinse water when you’re washing your mitts in cold water.

The acidity of the vinegar will help to deodorize and sanitize the mitts in one easy step. For extra odor-busting power, you can also add a few drops of essential oils to the rinse water. This will give your oven mitts an extra boost of freshness while removing any lingering odors!

7. Spot Clean When Necessary

While you should always aim to give your oven mitts a thorough wash every so often, spot cleaning can also be useful. If you’ve got any small stains or marks on the mitts, try using a damp cloth and some mild soap to clean them off.

Gently scrub the area and rinse it off with a damp cloth. This should get rid of any small marks without requiring a full wash.

8. Avoid Machine Drying

When it comes to drying oven mitts, avoid machine drying at all costs. Heat can damage the filling and make your mitts less effective in the long run.

Instead, hang your mitts up to air-dry in a well-ventilated area. This will help them to dry completely and stay looking their best.

9. Test Stain Removers

If you’ve got any tough stains on your oven mitts that won’t budge with the regular washing routine, it’s a good idea to test out some stain removers. Start by mixing equal parts water and white vinegar and apply the mixture to the stain.

Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes before rinsing off with cold water. If this doesn’t work, you can always try using a mild laundry detergent on the spot.

10. Use Baking Soda for Grease Stains

Grease stains are one of the most common problems with oven mitts, but there’s an easy solution! Start by sprinkling baking soda onto the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes.

Next, mix equal parts water and white vinegar and pour the mixture over the baking soda. This should help to break down the grease and make it easier to remove.

11. Cleaning with Vinegar & Lemon Juice

If your oven mitts look dull or dingy, you can use a combination of vinegar and lemon juice to clean them. Start by mixing equal parts vinegar and lemon juice in a bowl. Soak the mitts in the mixture for 10 minutes before rinsing off with cold water. This should help to brighten up any dull colors and get rid of any tough stains.

12. Regular Maintenance

Finally, one of the best ways to keep your oven mitts looking great is to give them regular care and maintenance. Try washing your mitts every other month, and don’t forget to hang them up to air-dry after each wash.

If you follow these simple tips, you’ll be sure to get years of use out of your oven mitts! Happy cleaning!

Conclusion

If you like to cook a lot, there’s a good chance your oven mitts will get dirty rather quickly. Fortunately, there are a few simple tricks to help keep them clean and in good shape. Now you can keep your oven mitts looking as good as new with these 12 easy tips and tricks!

Featured Image Credit: Ariene Studio, Shutterstock