Oven buildup is, unfortunately, inevitable, and the more often you cook, the more it will occur.

“As food heats up, the grease, oils, and food bits can splatter or drip onto the oven walls, and over time, these bits harden and turn into tough stains,” Robin Murphy, the chief cleaning officer at Maid Brigade White Plains, says.

Those who turn to methods like broiling and roasting when cooking will be prone to more buildup in their oven, Murphy explains, due to the way heat breaks down oil and fat.

Below, the two experts share their go to tips for effective oven cleaning sans scrubbing.

How to Clean Your Oven With Vinegar Steam

Vinegar steam is one method for cleaning. Do keep in mind, Murphy notes, that this approach is going to be more effective when you’re going about routine maintenance, not tackling major buildup. Her go-to process for using vinegar steam to clean an oven is below.

1. Preheat your oven. Set it to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Prepare your vinegar solution. You will want to fill an oven-safe bowl or dish with one to two cups of vinegar. Place this on the oven rack. If you would like, you can add a few lemon slices for scent purposes or a drop of dish soap, which will help to fight grease.
3. Close the oven. Once you have done so, allow the vinegar to heat up and steam for about 30 minutes. This process will help to loosen grease and residue in your oven, Murphy explains.
4. Wipe the oven. Once the 30-minute period is up, carefully open your oven. Using a damp cloth or sponge, wipe down the inside of the oven. Murphy notes that you can add a bit of baking soda or all-purpose cleaner to the mix in order to tackle stubborn areas.

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How to Clean Your Oven With Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar combined will also help you clean an oven that needs a bit of TLC, but again, Murphy doesn’t recommend relying on this method if you’re looking to fight stubborn buildup. Below, she shares her step -by-tep routine when cleaning an oven with these ingredients.

1. Form a paste. Make a thick paste using a half cup of baking soda combined with a few tablespoons of water.
2. Spread your paste. You will want to coat the inside of the oven with the paste you have made. If you see visible buildup, be sure to apply more of it there. Meanwhile, do not apply paste to the heating elements, Murphy warns.
3. Wait a few hours or overnight. Allow the paste to sit for some time. “It helps loosen some grease, but it may not completely dissolve stubborn residue,” Murphy says.
4. Grab your vinegar. Spray a light amount of vinegar over the paste, which will cause a fizzing reaction that can help to get rid of grime.
5. Scrub and wipe. Once you’re no longer witnessing any fizzing, take a damp cloth and use it to wipe down the oven.

Tips for Maintaining a Clean Oven

It’s in your best interest to focus on maintaining a clean oven on a regular basis so that you do not have to resort to intense cleaning methods down the road. Marla Mock, who is the president of Molly Maid, recommends that people deep clean their oven at least four times a year and spot clean the inside of it every month, in addition to cleaning the outside every week.

Looking for other, more specific tips on how to best maintain a clean oven? Murphy shares her top advice for doing so below.

• Clean spills as they occur—if the oven is hot, then wipe up a spill as soon as the area has cooled off.
• Use an oven liner, which you can wipe down or replace as needed.
• Wipe the inside of your oven regularly to tackle grease spots before they become more significant stains.
• Cook greasy foods at a lower temperature to prevent splatters.
• Wipe down your door seal from time to time.
• Wait to put anything in the oven while it’s preheating to prevent spills during this time.