Most of us do it without thinking. You dry the dishes, fold the tea towel, and hang it neatly over the oven door handle. It looks tidy. It’s convenient. It feels harmless.

But that everyday habit can actually be risky—and sometimes dangerous.

Here’s why hanging tea towels on oven handles isn’t as safe as it seems.

1. Hidden Fire Risk
Ovens retain heat long after they’re turned off. A towel hanging near vents or seals can slowly heat up, dry out, and—under the wrong conditions—ignite. The risk is higher if the oven was recently used at high temperatures, the towel slips lower, or the fabric is thin or synthetic. Kitchen fires often start quietly, and a smoldering towel can become an emergency fast.

2. Accidental Pulls and Burns
Oven handles sit at the perfect height to catch clothing, bags, or curious little hands. A towel can get snagged and pulled down, opening a hot oven door or knocking cookware loose—leading to burns or spills.

3. Hygiene Problems
Tea towels are used for everything: hands, dishes, counters. Hanging them on the oven door exposes them to grease, food residue, and bacteria—then they go right back into use. The oven door is one of the dirtiest surfaces in the kitchen.

4. Fabric Damage
Constant heat weakens fibers, causing towels to fade, stiffen, or tear faster.

Safer Alternatives
Use wall hooks, cabinet towel bars, drawer pulls away from heat, or a rack near the sink.

The Bottom Line
Hanging tea towels on the oven door is a habit worth breaking. It’s a small change that can reduce fire risk, prevent accidents, and keep your kitchen cleaner.

Sometimes the most ordinary habits deserve a second look—and this one is best left behind.