Every once in a while, a quirky cleaning trick pops up on the internet and quickly goes viral—not because it’s high-tech or expensive, but because it seems almost too simple or strange to actually work. And yet, it does. One of the latest hacks that’s been making waves involves cleaning your oven with nothing more than a single dishwasher tablet.
our oven’s stubborn baked-on grease. It may sound a little ridiculous at first, but after testing it out, many have discovered it’s actually a pretty brilliant solution for tackling that gunky glass oven door. According to The Kitchn, who gave this method a shot after reading about it in several online articles, dishwasher tablets—specifically the Finish brand—are surprisingly effective at cutting through the layers of grease and grime that build up on your oven window over time.
tablets are designed to break down food residue, grease, and stains on dishes, so it makes sense that their powerful cleaning agents can handle the same challenges inside an oven. The process is about as simple as it gets. Just grab a dishwasher tablet—not the gel kind with a dissolvable pouch, but the solid, powdery ones without any plastic covering. Then, fill a small bowl with warm water. Dunk the tablet in the warm water for just a moment to soften it slightly.
Don’t soak it for too long, or it’ll start to dissolve. After that, use the tablet itself as your scrubber. Apply it directly to the oven door glass and begin scrubbing in small circles. You’ll quickly see it start lifting away that grimy, sticky mess that’s been baked on from countless meals. The texture of the tablet, along with the active detergent ingredients, works almost like a magic eraser for grease. If you’ve been dreading the task of cleaning your oven because of all the scrubbing and harsh chemicals it usually requires, this method will come as a breath of fresh air. It’s not only easy and affordable but also doesn’t involve any toxic fumes or strong chemical odors.
And if you want to go beyond the glass, this trick can also be used on the metal parts of the oven door, too—just be gentle and avoid getting the tablet near any rubber seals or sensitive components. As you continue to clean, the tablet will start to crumble and dissolve, so depending on how dirty your oven is, you might need a second or even a third tablet to finish the job. Once you’re done scrubbing, take a paper towel or a clean cloth and wipe away the loosened gunk and soap residue.
Follow up with a separate damp cloth to remove any leftover cleaner and give the surface a final polish. The result? A clear, gleaming oven window that looks almost new again—with barely any effort. What’s so great about this cleaning hack is that it doesn’t require fancy tools or expensive products. Most people already have a pack of dishwasher tablets sitting under the sink. Instead of running out to buy a special oven cleaner or spending hours scrubbing with baking soda and vinegar, you can save time and elbow grease with this one simple item.
And because you’re not using any spray chemicals, this method is especially appealing for people with sensitivities to cleaning product fumes or who prefer eco-friendly alternatives. Huge thanks go out to The Kitchn for putting this hack to the test and confirming that it works as well as people claim. It’s another fantastic cleaning tip to add to the growing list of simple, effective solutions that actually make life easier. So next time your oven door starts to look a little cloudy or you notice streaks of burnt-on grease, just remember—grab a dishwasher tablet, a bowl of warm water, and give this clever trick a try. It might just become your favorite way to keep your kitchen looking clean and feeling fresh.
