Every now and then, a cleaning trick surfaces online that seems too simple or too weird to actually work, but somehow ends up delivering surprisingly good results. One of the latest viral hacks to catch everyone’s attention involves using something you probably already have in your kitchen but would never think to use for this purpose—a dishwasher tablet. Believe it or not, that little pod you normally toss into the dishwasher can double as a powerful cleaning tool for your oven, particularly for cutting through stubborn grease and grime on the oven’s glass door.

The idea gained traction after The Kitchn, a popular food and home site, decided to test it out themselves after seeing it shared in multiple articles and blogs. The verdict? It works shockingly well. According to The Kitchn, the best results came from using Finish-brand dishwasher tablets, which seem to be the most recommended by people who’ve tried this hack. These tablets are specially formulated to dissolve grease and baked-on food inside dishwashers, so it makes sense they would perform well on a greasy oven door too. Here’s how the method works: first, grab a single dishwasher tablet and a bowl of warm water.

You want the tablet that comes without a plastic wrapper or film—just the plain chalky kind. Dunk the tablet into the warm water briefly to soften the outside, but don’t let it dissolve. Then, hold the tablet and use it directly like a scrubber to clean the oven glass. It might feel odd at first to scrub with something so small, but you’ll quickly start to see results. The gritty texture of the tablet combined with the detergent’s grease-fighting power helps lift away that baked-on layer that’s been clouding up your oven door. It cuts through grime faster than traditional cleaners and doesn’t require heavy-duty chemicals or hours of soaking.

You can also use the tablet on the non-glass parts of the door—just be gentle and avoid any sensitive areas like seals or sensors. Depending on how dirty your oven is, you may need to use more than one tablet. As you scrub, the tablet will naturally start to break down and crumble, so having a couple extra on hand is a good idea. After you’ve scrubbed away the grease and your oven door looks visibly cleaner, it’s time to wipe everything down. Use a paper towel or a clean, dry cloth to remove the loose debris and any detergent residue left behind. Then follow up with a damp cloth to give the surface a final wipe.

This second step helps remove any leftover film and ensures the glass shines crystal clear. What’s amazing about this method is just how easy and affordable it is. There’s no need to buy special oven cleaners filled with harsh chemicals that make your kitchen smell terrible for hours. There’s no need for gloves, masks, or multiple cleaning steps. All it takes is a little scrubbing with a dishwasher tablet and your oven door can look nearly brand new again. This hack has definitely earned its place on the growing list of low-effort, high-reward cleaning tips that actually live up to the hype.

Full credit goes to The Kitchn for giving this a try and proving that it works. It’s always helpful when someone puts these hacks to the test and confirms they’re more than just viral fluff. So, the next time you open your oven and cringe at the streaks and grease smudging up your view, don’t panic and don’t reach for that bottle of chemical cleaner—just grab a dishwasher tablet, a bowl of warm water, and get to work. With minimal tools, a few minutes of scrubbing, and hardly any cleanup afterward, your oven door can go from grimy to sparkling clean. This little trick might just become your go-to method for regular oven maintenance. It’s cheap, fast, and best of all—it actually works.