A process for removing carbon-containing residues from a substrate is described herein. In one aspect, there is provided a process for removing carbon-containing residue from at least a portion of a surface of a substrate comprising: providing a process gas comprising an oxygen source, a fluorine source, an and optionally additive gas wherein the molar ratio of oxygen to fluorine contained within the process gas ranges from about 1 to about 10; activating the process gas using at least one energy source to provide reactive species; and contacting the surface of the substrate with the reactive species to volatilize and remove the carbon-containing residue from the surface.