Clean and efficient radiators: you probably already have everything you need to keep them in top condition at home
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Keeping your radiators clean is essential to ensure optimal home-heating efficiency. Dust and debris that accumulate over time can impede airflow and reduce heating capabilities, leading to increased energy consumption and higher bills. In this article, we explore two effective methods for thoroughly cleaning your radiators.
Even if you clean your home regularly, there are some hard-to-reach areas that can go neglected for months. As a result, these areas accumulate dust, hair, fur and other dirt and grime that then circulates in the home. And this is also true about all the hard-to-reach "nooks and crannies" of radiators - especially those that have side panels and a top grill to protect their internal components.
So, how can radiators be thoroughly cleaned before they're turned on? Well, you can use this two-step method:
1. Remove the bulk of the accessible, "loose" grime
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If you have cleaning implements that are thin and flexible enough to easily get to the insides of a radiator (such as feathered dusters on long sticks, or a flexible rod to which a duster has been secured with elastic bands), use these to clean away any dust and grime that they can reach.
Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer: first, place damp towels or rags under the radiator (or even hang them on the wall behind it), then turn on the hair dryer so that the air passes through the radiator and blows the dust and grime out and onto the towels/rags.
2. Use a diluted degreaser
Now, you need to get a spray bottle: add a little of a multi-purpose degreaser (25%) and fill up the rest of the bottle (75%) with hot water.
Alternatively, you could also try making your own DIY detergent spray: add half a glass of vinegar, half a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and the remainder with hot water
Once your detergent spray is ready, spray it abundantly inside the radiator, making sure you have rags or old towels underneath it to soak up the dirty liquid that will drip from it. Alternatively, you can use basins or similar collection containers.
To finish the job, use rods/sticks with damp, microfiber cloths secured to them to again wipe down the internals of the radiator and remove detergent residue.
Don't turn the radiators back on until they are thoroughly dry. In the meantime, you can use the same detergent to clean the outside surfaces of your radiators. In short, the less dirty and dusty they are, the more effective your radiators will be in heating your house.
This chore takes a bit of time and elbow grease, but thoroughly cleaning your radiators before the cold weather arrives will ensure they'll keep you nice and "toasty"!
