I learned the best way to clean radiators and make them more energy efficient
If your radiators have been lying idle over the summer, they’re likely to give off an unpleasant odour when you switch them on as the weather turns chilly. This is precisely what happened to editor Sophie Law when she decided to turn on the heating last week for the first time since early spring.
Sophie shared: “Radiators often smell when first turned on because dust and debris on the heating elements are burning off, creating a temporary burning odour. It doesn’t smell particularly nice, but I discovered the best way to get rid of it is to give them a good clean. “
Not only does a clean and fresh radiator stop producing a funky smell, but it can also improve its energy efficiency. Dust and dirt act as insulators, preventing heat from escaping into the room. A clean and fresh radiator requires less energy to warm the space, which can eventually result in lower energy bills, reports the Express.
Not wanting to purchase anything new to clean them — such as a wire brush — Sophie discovered a trick that works using something she already owns: a hair dryer. Hair dryers can clean radiators by blowing out dust and debris trapped between the fins or in hard-to-reach areas.
How to clean radiators
What you’ll need:
- Hairdryer
- Damp microfibre cloth
Method
Sophie shared: “Armed with my hair dryer, I set to work cleaning all the radiators in my home. I first turned off all the radiators and ensured they were completely cooled.
“Next, I used a damp microfibre cloth and laid it on top of the radiator – this will catch any dust and debris and prevent any mess.
“Using my hairdryer, I blew the hot air into the radiator from the bottom, allowing the dust particles to rise to the top and stick to the damp towel. I did this for all the radiators in my home until there were no longer any dust particles blowing out of the top.”
She continued: “That evening, when my central heating turned on, I noticed a big difference – not only in the smell coming from the radiators (it was basically gone) but in the heat they were emitting.
“The rooms definitely felt hotter, and I even had to turn them down a little. I’ve also heard that regulalry cleaning your radiators of dust can help if you suffer from asthma, eczema or any other allergies such as hay fever. “