When you plan the detailed house clean up, radiator cleaning is on top of the list, which can be frustrating and time-consuming. Most people do not consider cleaning the radiators in a house. Cleaning radiators is very important for better efficiency. In this article, we will guide you about the steps you can follow for cleaning the radiators.
Why Is It Important to Keep Your Radiators Clean?
The design of the radiators is dust and dirt catching, and you must remove the settled dust inside them. Whether you own Horizontal column radiators or single/double panel radiators, you should make its cleaning a part of your weekly cleaning regime. For heating, the space and managing allergens, a clean radiator will function more efficiently. Cleaning a radiator can get difficult and needs lots of time, but with knowledge and effort, you can easily clean this complexly designed equipment and enjoy the shiny and new looking radiator.
5 Tips on How To Clean Your Radiator
1. Turn off the Heat
Before starting to clean the radiator, don’t forget to turn off the heat. Turning it off will not only make it safe to clean but also prevents drawing up more dust. Turn off the central heating and turn the TRV to 0. After switching off, let your radiator cool down for few hours to avoid burning yourself.
2. Vacuum the Inside of the Radiator
The fins of the radiators are hard to clean, and getting in them can get impossible. Vacuum cleaning is one of the best tips you can use. This trick will make your work easy and less messy as well. Use the smaller vacuum pipes for reaching the tricky spots. Try to clean all the dust behind and don’t forget the underneath of the radiator. Forget dusting with a feather duster and grab your vacuum, as a duster will push the dust back into the radiator.
3. Clean the Inside Using a Brush
Once after removing more dust with the vacuum, you will need to clean the rest. Use a long radiator cleaning brush, which allows you to get to the places and spots that are hard to reach and remove the stuck dust. You can also make a brush yourself if you do not have a radiator cleaning brush. Take a wire or wooden stick and wrap a cloth around it. It should allow you to clean as much dust as possible. Don’t forget to place a sheet or towel underneath the radiator to catch the dust.
4. Rinse with Soapy Water
After cleaning all the dust with a cloth, fill a bucket with water and add liquid soap. Use a soft sponge or microfibre towel to wipe down the outside. Using a harsh and abrasive tool may scratch the surface so avoid using it. Give your radiator a proper clean with a wet cloth. Make sure the water is not dripping. If the radiator has hard to clean stains, spray the cleaning solution and let it on for few minutes. Wipe away with the cloth, and you will have a shiny dazzling radiator.
5. Pay Attention to the Skirting Boards
After cleaning the radiator properly, make sure to check the skirting boards to see the fallen dust. Skirting boards need a thorough wiping too. Use soapy water for cleaning them. Rub the stains carefully as you may scratch the paint.
Some Extra Tips to Consider
- To avoid hard-working every month, try to wipe it with a cloth or brush regularly.
- If the panels are too tight to clean with a cloth, use a compressed air
- You can remove the radiator from the wall and paint it as well.
- Consider bleeding your radiator to keep it in working condition
- Clean the radiator with soft sponges and avoid using abrasive tools
Conclusion
Radiators are the most useful appliance in our homes, yet often the least cleaned. The dirt and dust can get easily trapped in it and settled down, which can affect its functionality. The dirty radiators not only look gross but also function less effectively. If you are guilty of neglecting your radiators for months, it is not too late to get up and follow these useful tips. Hopefully, this article will help you enjoy the clean and efficiently working radiator.
