Why does this trick work so well for oven cleaning? Vinegar alone is already very effective at degreasing and removing stains from an oven, especially when it’s preheated. Boiling water and heating the oven create vinegar steam that acts over several hours. This softens and dissolves the grease stuck in the oven.

Good to know: if you don’t have vinegar, lemon juice has the same properties and the advantage of smelling better. Additionally, you can heat a bowl of vinegar or lemon water in your microwave to clean it as well.