These Household Items You Shouldn't Use After Expiration

15. Mitts for the Oven

Ends in: two to five years $12* is the average price. Your reliable protectors from burns, oven mitts, gradually lose their effectiveness. They have a 2–5 year usable life on average, but heat, spills, and stains can wear them down. Heat-resistant coatings may deteriorate and the fabric may shrink over time, reducing their protective qualities.

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Oven Mitts ©Shutterstock/Antoniodiaz Older mitts can retain bacteria and smells, so it's not only a problem of preventing burned fingers—it's also a hygiene issue. Making sure they don't show any signs of wear or damage can help keep your cooking excursions safe and pleasurable. Recall that all that stands between you and steaming hot food is the integrity of your mitts.