Why never put a tea towel on the oven door?

Why You Should Never Hang a Tea Towel on Your Oven Door — It’s Riskier Than You Think!

It’s a habit in many kitchens: once the dishes are done or hands are wiped, the tea towel finds its home hanging over the oven door handle. Seems harmless, right? But experts warn that this simple habit can be a hidden hazard — and you might want to stop doing it immediately.

Here’s why:

🔥 1. Fire Risk

Let’s start with the biggest danger: fire.

Tea towels are highly flammable, especially if they’re made of cotton or linen. If your oven is on, or you accidentally turn on the stove or a nearby burner, that towel hanging over the handle can catch fire in seconds. Many kitchen fires have started this way — and they often escalate quickly.

Even if the towel seems far from heat sources, oven vents can release hot air, especially when self-cleaning or broiling, which can dry out and ignite fabric.

🧰 2. Interferes with Ventilation and Oven Function

Modern ovens are designed with specific airflow patterns to avoid overheating. Blocking vents with fabric can interfere with this and lead to overheating or damage to the electronic components.

Some ovens vent through the top or the door, and having a thick towel hanging in the way could actually trap heat or steam, which can:

Cause your oven’s glass panel to crack from thermal shock
Lead to poor cooking results due to temperature imbalances
Shorten your appliance’s lifespan

🧼 3. Breeding Ground for Germs and Bacteria

Tea towels get damp — and when they do, they become a magnet for bacteria, especially if they’ve been used to wipe hands, counters, or dishes.

When hung on the oven:

They’re often not washed as frequently
Heat and moisture create the perfect environment for bacteria growth
If it touches your clothes or you wipe your hands with it, you risk spreading bacteria all over your kitchen

In some cases, these bacteria can include E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus, especially in busy households with pets or children.

🚪 4. Strain on the Oven Door Hinges

Yes, really! Hanging heavy or wet towels on the oven door might seem harmless, but over time, it can place unnecessary strain on the hinges and cause alignment issues.

If you’re leaning or pulling on the door while the towel is there, it might cause: