In one implementation, a method for cleaning a processing chamber is provided. The method comprises introducing a reactive species into a processing chamber having a residual high-k dielectric material formed on one or more interior surfaces of the processing chamber. The reactive species is formed from a halogen-containing gas mixture and the one or more interior surfaces include at least one surface having a coating material formed thereon. The method further comprises reacting the residual high-k dielectric material with the reactive species to form a volatile product. The method further comprises removing the volatile product from the processing chamber. The removal rate of the residual high-k dielectric material is greater than a removal rate of the coating material. The high-k dielectric material is selected from zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) and hafnium dioxide (HfO2). The coating material includes a compound selected from alumina (Al2O3), yttrium-containing compounds, and combinations thereof.