Many of us take our heating systems for granted. Nowadays, it’s super important to keep your radiators clean and dust-free. This will actually make a big difference in how much money you are spending on heating your home. If you leave dust in between the fins of your radiator, heat can’t escape properly. This means your radiators will have to work harder for longer. Warming your home can become a difficult task with unclean and dusty radiators.
It’s important that you take the right measures to give your radiators a thorough clean and to keep on top of any dust that starts to build up. Adding radiator cleaning to your weekly cleaning routine will definitely help you to keep on top of any dust that accumulates. While this may not make you a millionaire overnight, having a faster and more efficient heating system could lead to big savings in the long run. Here, we’ve put together our top tips to ensure your radiators stay gleaming and glossy for years to come.
Why Does My Radiator Keep Getting Dusty?
What some people don’t realise is that there is dust in the air all the time. It’s everywhere and it’s not all dust either. If you own a pet you can bet there will pet hair to contend with. Plus, if you are smoker there’ll be nicotine residue to tackle. One of the main reasons dust will clump together and get trapped in your radiator is because of the currents of air that help to circulate heat around your home.
Warm air naturally rises and cool air will fall. As the air sinks, it will take dust with it and as it gets drawn back up through the radiator, dust will begin to collect at the back of your radiators and across the fins at the top of the radiator.
What Will I Need to Clean My Radiator?
Before you get ready to pull on the old marigolds and get started with your radiator cleaning, it’s important that you’ve got each of these things to hand:
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Duster
- Bucket with warm soapy water
- Sponges and cloths
- An old towel or dust sheet
- A long stick
- Sellotape
Radiator Cleaning Basics
If you follow our simple steps below, you’ll have clean and shiny radiators again in no time. Thoroughly cleaning your radiator will ensure that they’re working as well as they can be; saving you money in the process.
Switch Off Heating: Before you get started with your radiator cleaning, you’ll need to make sure that your heating system is switched off.
Vacuum Cleaner Time: To begin with, try to get as much of the dust from in, around and under your radiator.
Soap and Water Step: Grab a bucket and fill it with warm, soapy water. Make sure you use a non-abrasive, pH neutral soap. Swirl the water until you have a good amount of suds going, then dip your sponge in and wring it out until it’s slightly damp. Wipe down your radiator with the sponge, making sure you don’t drop any water on the floor or carpet. Then you will need to wipe off the soapy mixture with a dry cloth to avoid any staining or rusting.
The Yardstick Method (only applicable to radiators without a top grille and side panels): Placing a long piece of wood with a towel securely wrapped around the end will allow you to push the dust and dirt out of the radiator until it is clear again.
It’s important that you’re always careful with the type of materials you use to get your radiator clean. Make sure to avoid using abrasive materials like Brillo pads as they could damage the high shine surface of your radiators
