How To Clean A Radiator
How To Clean A Radiator
Keeping your radiator clean and free from dust should be an essential part of your cleaning regime. Most heat loss can happen within the convector fins, so it’s just as important to ensure your radiator is clean internally as well as the exterior surface. Excessive dust build-up can cause a range of issues from reduced heat output to allergens circulating, so it’s vital that it’s adequately cleaned and maintained.
In this guide, we’ll talk you through how to appropriately clean the interior, exterior and behind the radiator, how to remove stains and common mistakes to avoid.
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Key takeaways
Importance: maintaining cleanliness of your radiator is key to ensuring heat efficiency, improving air flow and reducing energy costs.
Essential: always ensure your heating is off, and your radiator is cool before cleaning.
Top tip: try using a hair dryer to blow the dust particles out of the inside of the radiator. This can be just as effective as using a vacuum cleaner.
Common mistake: using harsh chemicals to clean your radiator can cause surface damage and increases the risk of discolouration. Only use mild cleaning solutions when cleaning the exterior of your radiator.
Why does dust build-up in my radiator?
Inside a radiator are thin convectors (or fins) that are designed to improve airflow and heat the room faster. If not cleaned regularly, dust can get trapped because warm air can pull particles up causing them to get clogged in the fins.
Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid your radiator getting dusty and to ensure it’s performing to its full potential.
What you’ll need to clean your radiator
Here is a list of tools you may need to thoroughly clean your radiator.
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Bucket with warm, soapy water or mild cleaning solution
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A thin, flexible radiator brush
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Vacuum cleaner (with appropriate attachment)
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Optional: hair dryer or air compressor
How to clean the interior of a radiator: step-by-step guide
When cleaning your radiator it’s important to clean both the interior and exterior. Dust can easily build up within the convectors, which can affect your heat output. Follow our step-by-step guide to cleaning your radiator thoroughly.
It’s essential that before following any of the mentioned steps, you turn your heating off and the radiator is completely cool. Leaving your radiator on can pose safety risks and make the cleaning process less effective.
Step 1. Preparation steps
As radiators can accumulate a lot of dust it’s important to firstly focus on the inside. The trapped dust can reduce the heat output and circulate allergens when the heating is on. To tackle this, there are some key preparation steps to take before starting.
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Protect the floor - place a sheet under the radiator (and surrounding area), as when you start dusting it can easily be collected, ensuring your carpet remains clean too.
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Remove the top grill - most modern radiators have removable top grills, if you are able to then unclip and lift to allow better access to the inside. If this isn’t possible (or hard to lift), then you should still be able to clean around it.
Step 2. Loosen the dust
Before vacuuming, you’ll need to loosen the dust to ensure you are easily able to remove all dust and debris efficiently. Take your radiator brush (or any long, flexible tool), and insert between each section. Ensure you move it up, down and across the entire width of the radiator. It’s important to clean all crevices including the front panel, side panels and around the valves.
If you have clogged fins, you should see the clumps collecting on the dust sheet/carpet protector below.
Step 3. Vacuum & clean thoroughly
Once the dust has loosened, you’ll now be able to vacuum the inside. Before proceeding, it might be worth changing your attachment to one that allows reach within the fins (such as a crevice tool attachment).
Insert the head in slowly between each section and move from top to bottom - ensuring the whole width of the radiator has been cleaned.
If you still have stubborn dust buildup (or don’t have the right vacuum attachment), you could try blowing out the remaining debris from the fins.
Using a hairdryer or air compressor, blow the dust from the top down (towards the carpet protector) carefully. Always ensure the hair dryer is on a cool setting.
Step 4. Clean up
Once you are satisfied that all of the dust has been removed thoroughly, you’ll need to clean it up. Using your vacuum cleaner, suck up any dust and debris on your dust sheet, ensuring all visible dust is removed.
How to clean the exterior of a radiator: step-by-step guide
Cleaning the exterior of your radiator is also crucial to maximising heating efficiency and saving money on your energy bills. Before proceeding, ensure your radiator is turned off and left to cool completely. Follow our step-by-step guide on how to clean the outside of your radiator.
Step 1. Wash the exterior
Before washing the body of your radiator you will need to prepare a solution that works for you. For best results, mix warm (not hot) water with a few drops of washing up liquid (or mild cleaning solution) into a washing up bowl or bucket.
Carefully dip the microfibre cloth into the solution and wring thoroughly - your cloth should be damp not dripping. Then, wipe the top grill, front and side panels and around the valves - always from top to bottom to avoid streaks.
Important: do not use bleach or ammonia on your radiator as this can cause paint damage, yellowing and corrode the metal over time. Stick to milder solutions to ensure no harsh chemicals are being applied.
Step 2. Dry the exterior
Once you have thoroughly cleaned the whole radiator you will need to dry it all with a clean cloth. It’s important that this is done quickly to prevent water marks or streaks.
When you are completely happy with the results, you will be able to turn your heating system back on.
How to clean behind a radiator: step-by-step guide
Dust can build up not only inside your radiator, but also on the wall behind. Cleaning this area can help to improve the air quality and heating efficiency of your radiator. Firstly, it's essential to remember to always turn your radiator off before proceeding.
Step 1. Preparation steps
It’s essential to prepare for cleaning behind your radiator before starting.
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Protect the floor with dust sheets or carpet protector.
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Move any nearby furniture from the area as dust will fall during the cleaning process.
Step 2. Vacuum behind the radiator
Using a vacuum cleaner with a long crevice attachment, insert carefully into the gap between the radiator and the wall. Then, work from top to bottom moving slowly across the entire width. Make sure you are able to get into all the small gaps and corners - you may need to angle the nozzle carefully to ensure all areas have been cleaned.
Step 3. Use a brush for hard-to-reach areas
Using a radiator brush (or long, flexible tool), move vertically up and down to loosen the dust. Continue this process until no debris falls.
Then, using a long duster, try to slot this down in between the wall and the radiator and carefully wiggle to eradicate any trapped dust.
Top tip: if the gap is too tight for a tool, you can use a hair dryer or air compressor to blow the dust out.
Removing a radiator
If you cannot properly clean the wall behind your radiator, you might be able to loosen it or remove it completely. Read our guide on how to remove a radiator for a step-by-step process. If you are unsure, then do not attempt this step and call in a professional to help.
Improving the appearance of your radiator
If cleaning your radiator hasn’t given you the desired look you were after, there are a range of different things you can do to improve the appearance of your radiator.
Removing yellowing and stains
Over time your radiators (especially white ones) can appear yellow or stained. This is often due to repeated heating and the enamel turning yellow - which is normal for an aging radiator. Other causes can be due to dust accumulation, nicotine build-up or the wrong paint being used on the radiator.
To fix your yellow radiator, you should first try and work out if it’s due to surface staining or general paint discolouration.
How to remove surface stains from your radiator
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Mix baking soda with a small amount of water to create a paste, and apply directly to the body of your radiator for 30 minutes.
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After this, gently scrub with a sponge (or brush) and then wipe clean.
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Dry the body of the radiator thoroughly, and repeat the process if necessary.
How to remove stubborn stains from your radiator
If you have more stubborn stains on your radiator, you may need to use a stronger solution.
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Mix diluted white vinegar with water (usually 50/50 split).
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Apply to your cloth first, and then onto the radiator and wipe clean.
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Dry immediately after to avoid dripping and streaks.
If your radiator still looks yellow (or stained), then you can also use radiator paint to help brighten the appearance.
Removing rust
Rust can form when radiator paint chips away and moisture penetrates the metal underneath. It can be a straight-forward, easy fix if treated early.
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Lightly sand the rusted area in circular motions until the metal appears clean and smooth.
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Apply a rust primer to the surface of the radiator. This is an optional extra, but is recommended for best results.
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Apply radiator paint to touch up the area. Read our guide on how to paint a radiator for essential tips.
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Leave to dry for at least 24 hours before turning the heating back on.
Common mistakes to avoid when cleaning your radiator
Cleaning your radiator the wrong way can damage the paint, reduce your heat efficiency and can create safety risks.
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Cleaning while the radiator is hot - it’s essential that your heating is off before starting to clean. Leaving your heating on can increase the chance of burns, cause reactions from cleaning products or leave an undesired finish to your radiator. Always make sure that you leave your radiator to cool completely.
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Using chemicals - using bleach, ammonia or harsh pads on your radiator can scratch the paint and cause further discolouring to your radiator. It’s important to only clean using mild cleaning solutions (such as washing up liquid, diluted vinegar or baking soda).
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Not cleaning the interior - it’s important to not only focus on the exterior, but also the inside of your radiator. Dust build-up can block the heat circulation and reduce heat efficiency. Using a radiator brush (or tool), and vacuuming between the fins can remove the debris and ensure your radiator can function properly.
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Using the wrong paint - if touching up your radiator, it’s vital that you only use radiator paint as it’s specifically formulated to withstand heat unlike standard paint.
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Not maintaining cleanliness - it’s important to keep your radiator clean to avoid dust build-up, negatively affecting the air quality and in turn costing you more on your energy bills. For best results, lightly clean every couple of months and deep clean once or twice a year.