Dirty, dusty radiators aren’t just aesthetically displeasing – they could be costing you money and impacting your health. As the grime increases, it’s important to know how to tackle your radiators properly, so you can give them a proper deep clean without damaging the components.
In this guide, we’ll talk you through how to clean a radiator step by step and why it matters for saving on your energy bills.
Why do radiators accumulate dust?
Radiators naturally attract dust because of the way they circulate air. As your heating system warms the room, it creates air currents that draw in dust, pet hair, and other small particles from the surrounding environment. The heat then causes these particles to settle on and inside the radiator, particularly between the fins and behind the unit where airflow is slower – often the most awkward places to reach.
Over time, this buildup can form a thick layer which not only reduces the radiator’s efficiency, but it also impacts the air quality inside your home. Properties with carpets, pets, or high foot traffic tend to find dust accumulates faster, making regular cleaning even more important.
The benefits of cleaning radiators
1. Save money on your energy bills
Dust and debris can accumulate both on the surface and inside your radiators. This layer acts as an insulator, reducing warm air from circulating around your home. As a result, your heating system has to work harder to provide heat, and therefore increases energy usage and costs. By regularly cleaning them, it ensures your heating system operates at optimum efficiency.
2. Improve indoor air quality
When the heating is on, dust and debris trapped in and around radiators can easily be dispersed by warm air waves. If members of your household have allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions, dust can aggravate their condition. However, regularly cleaning your radiators is the best preventative to maintain indoor air quality in your home.
3. Maintain a comfortable home
Efficient radiators heat your home more evenly, meaning there’s less chance of your central heating system developing cold spots – creating a cosier and more warming environment during the winter season.
Step-by-step: how to remove dust from radiators
Cleaning your radiator is simple. Follow these manageable steps for effective results all year round – goodbye dust!
1: Turn off your central heating
Before doing anything to clean them, always ensure your radiator is completely cool to avoid burning yourself. If you have electric radiators installed, also make sure to unplug them. If they’re hardwired into the mains and you can’t remove the plug, turn the radiators off at the thermostat and mains switch.
2: Prepare your tools
To give your radiator a thorough clean and make your life easier in the process, having the right tools always make a difference. We’d recommend using the following:
- A long-handled radiator brush
- A vacuum cleaner with a crevice attachment
- A microfibre cloth or duster
- Use a mild cleaning solution or warm soapy water, like washing up liquid
3: Clean inside the radiator
Wondering how to get dust out of radiators efficiently? A long-handled radiator brush is perfect for cleaning inside radiators and reaching trapped dirt between the internal fins.
- Use the radiator brush to reach into the narrow spaces between fins
- Alternatively, while you’re cleaning you could use a vacuum cleaner attachment to remove dust and debris
- Some people use a hairdryer to blast out the dust from hard to reach places – if in doubt, wear a facemask to avoid inhaling the particles
- To reduce the amount of mess in your home while you’re cleaning, lay a towel down on the floor under the radiator to catch dust and debris
- Avoid temptation to tamper with the inner workings of your radiator as this may void your warranty
How to clean between the radiator fins?
To clean between radiator fins, gently guide the brush or vacuum nozzle down each gap to lift out dust without bending the metal. A long-handled radiator brush is especially useful for cleaning radiator fins and removing buildup that’s hard to reach with a cloth.
4: Clean behind the radiator
- Dust typically accumulates in the gap between the radiator and the wall
- To clean behind the radiator, use a microfibre cloth or duster on a long stick to reach it
- Remove any stubborn dust or debris gently, lifting the cloth out slowly to avoid catching any of the radiators components
5: Wipe down the exterior of your radiators
- To give your radiators the utmost clean, finish by wiping the exterior with a damp cloth
- Squeeze out any excess water to avoid drips – which is especially important if you’re close to electrical items. No water damage, please!
- For tougher stains, if any, use a mild soapy detergent like washing up liquid to remove splatters like mud, food or drink. Buff the area using the microfibre cloth and eventually the stain should ease up
- For painted radiators, avoid using harsh chemicals to prevent damage to the paintwork
- Dry off any excess moisture using a clean microfibre towel and reconnect the system (if unplugged/switched off)
Extra ways to maintain dust-free radiators all-year round
- Clean your radiators at least twice a year. A good time for radiator maintenance is during the summer and ideally after the winter season
- Keep your radiators free from clutter to prevent dust from accumulating on top of the vent
- Check for leaks or corrosion around the pipes while you’re cleaning. Doing so means you can catch potential issues early, which can prevent problems from getting worse, resulting in unexpected (and costly) maintenance bills
Remove radiator dust and improve your home’s energy efficiency
Dusty radiators shouldn’t impact your wallet or compromise your health. With regular cleaning, it’s simple to maintain your radiators and enjoy the benefits of a warmer, healthier, and more energy-efficient home.
If you’re considering updating your home heating system for a more energy-efficient option, check out our electric heating systems to future-proof your home. To maximise your property’s efficiency, consider pairing your radiators with modern hybrid heating solutions like an air source heat pump to fully benefit from electric powered heating.
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