Our radiators have been out of action over the summer months, and now there’s a chill in the air, we’re finally firing them back up again. Only one problem with that: dust.
Dust will gradually coat our radiators until it creates a fine, insulating layer on the surface. That might not sound like a problem, but it will take its toll on the efficiency, and your energy bills.
Luckily, there is an unorthodox solution: the hairdryer. Here’s how bad the problem really is and how a hairdryer can fix it in 10-seconds flat.
Why does dust make a radiator work harder?
‘Dust naturally builds up inside and around your radiators over time,’ says Stephen Hankinson, heating expert at Electric Radiators Direct. ‘If left, it will simply circulate back into the room once the heating is switched on again.
‘As dust acts as a barrier, the energy output can be significantly reduced. In fact, recent research suggests a dirty heating system can increase energy bills by 25%, adding around £410 a year to the average UK energy bill, while delivering the same level of heat output.’
When dust coats the radiator, it insulates it and blocks the heat from reaching the room. It’s essentially a small scale version of leaving your clothes to dry on the radiator (which you must also never do!). But its worse because that same dust gets blown into the room as the warm air rises.
The dust is difficult to remove because it’s inside and around the back of your radiator – both of which are tricky to reach. And there’s often more than dust to be found here, too.
‘After months of inactivity, dust, pet hair, and debris settle inside and behind the panels during the warmer months,’ says Martin Garbutt, head of technical governance at Ding. ‘Cleaning them improves heating efficiency, prevents the burning-dust smell when you first switch the system on, and stops dust from circulating into your air.
‘Not only can excess dust affect the air quality in a room, but it can also reduce a radiator’s efficiency by up to 10%, adding extra expenses to household heating bills.’
So, there’s no question about it, the dust needs to be removed, but how best to get rid of it?
How to clear the dust from your radiator
The go-to solution for dusting a radiator is using a long microfibre radiator brush to reach between the fins. Either that, or you could try using the crevice tool on your vacuum cleaner, which will collect the dust rather than distribute it on the floor.
However, you might not have these to hand, or your radiator might have an awkward shape. In that case, we recommend using the hairdryer. This is a little messier, but it will still effectively dislodge any internal dust with no brushing or elbow grease required. The steps are as simple as this:
1. Switch off the radiator and make sure it’s completely cool before you start dusting.
2. Place a towel on the floor so it’s ready to collect any dust that falls through.
3. Use the hair dryer on the cool setting to blow away any internal dust. Hover it from above, working your way over the fins and around the back of the back of the radiator. Start on the lowest power setting and work your way up to dislodge the deeper dust. This won’t take long – only take 10 seconds or so!
4. Once the dust is clear, wipe over the front of the radiator with a microfibre cloth for a final polish.
And that’s it! Your radiator should be dust free and at its most efficient to heat your home. Note: a hairdryer isn’t as effective or as detailed as a radiator brush, but it can help to remove the excess from the internals, which is what’s important according to Stephen:
‘The biggest mistake people make is only cleaning what they can see. The dust build-up is usually focused on the inside of the radiator, so it's important to clean this area as well.
‘Cleaning your radiator regularly can help to prolong the life of your radiator. Removing dust and dirt protects the outer metal, reduces strain on internal components, and prevents gradual damage that can lead to leaks or failure over time.’
How to give your radiator a deep clean
If you did want to give your radiator a more thorough clean, after following the above steps of switching it off and laying down a towel, Martin recommends: ‘using warm water mixed with a small amount of dish soap or white vinegar. Wipe the exterior with a microfibre cloth, and use a long-handled brush to reach narrow or awkward areas.
‘Try and do this once or twice a year, ideally before you go to turn your heating on in autumn or winter. You should also wipe down the outside about once a month to stop dust from burning when using the radiators.’
Radiator cleaning kit
