If you’re struggling to keep warm at home, it might be time to clean out your radiators and it’s easier than you think
There’s nothing more frustrating than shivering at home whilst the heating takes an eternity to warm up, but making your radiators more efficient could be simpler than you imagine. Most people don’t consider cleaning out their radiator, but over time, dust can accumulate inside the appliance and function as insulation.
This means heat becomes trapped, and the radiator must work harder and remain on longer to operate properly, which can rapidly increase your energy bills. However, the experts at Designer Radiators Direct have disclosed that eliminating dust inside a radiator is genuinely straightforward and doesn’t require any DIY skills as all you need is a hair dryer, reports the Express.
They explained: “While you might think your radiator is dust-free, some dust is probably still trapped and lurking in places you can’t see. Using a hairdryer is an effective solution. Simply turn it on to a cool setting, then angle it over the top of your radiator. Any remaining pesky bits of dust will fall down, and you can sweep them away.”
Dust tends to gather in the fins of radiators, which can be extremely narrow and too challenging to clean with a vacuum or duster. Nevertheless, a hairdryer can rapidly blow any dust or debris sitting inside a radiator so you can simply wipe it up from the floor.
This technique will make cleaning out a radiator much simpler without requiring any specialist tools, and should take less than 10 minutes.
How to clean dust out of a radiator with a hair dryer
Firstly, switch off your heating and ensure your radiator is fully cooled before you start cleaning to avoid any burns.
Place a towel beneath the radiator to catch any falling dust. Next, plug in a hairdryer and set it to the coolest or lowest setting.
Position the hairdryer so it’s aimed at the top of the radiator, and slowly move it up and down the fins to dislodge more dust.
Once the dust has been removed, gather up the towel and carefully shake out the dust into a bin or vacuum it up.
Next, you’ll need to clean the exterior surface of the radiator. Use some warm soapy water and a cloth, ensuring it’s thoroughly dry after cleaning to prevent the metal from rusting.
Your radiator should now be completely free of dust and able to heat up a room swiftly, saving you from spending the rest of winter shivering in your own home.