How Do I Clean the Dust Out of My Radiator?
Having radiators ready for the winter requires maintenance throughout the year, this implies certain adjustments and cleaning. In this oneHOWTO article we're going to explain how to clean the dust out of your radiator. We'll go step by step so you can clean your radiator completely, inside and out. Keep reading to learn more!
How to clean the inside of radiators
In order for the radiators to remain at an impeccable state and thus avoid the clogging of dust and lint in the radiators that make it difficult for hot air to escape, it is essential to use a brush to clean the inside part of the radiators. This tool must have a very fine, bristled shaft to reach the most difficult corners to access. So, once you have this brush, how can you clean the inside of a radiator?
Follow these steps to clean the inside of your radiators with a dust brush:
- Make sure the radiator is completely turned off.
- Put the brush in all the holes, trying to turn it to reach the most hidden areas.
- The accumulated dust will fall down thanks to the action of the brush.
- Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the fallen dust: pass it through the lower and upper areas of the radiators.
If you detect a lot of accumulated dirt, use a radiator cleaning product to facilitate interior cleaning. If you do not know what liquid product is used to clean radiators, you can buy a specific product for this type of cleaning or make a mixture of soap and water. Do this by moistening the brush to clean the radiators from the inside by rubbing them gently. When you finish cleaning the inside, it is important that you wait for the radiators to dry completely before turning the heating on again.
How to clean radiators from the outside
Another part of radiator maintenance is exterior cleaning. To prevent dust and dirt from accumulating, it is important to clean the outside before turning it on.
Learn how to clean yellowish radiators on the outside by following this step by step:
- Try to clean them in the fall or weeks before plugging in your radiators, as this needs to be done when they are cold and off for safety.
- Cover the floor around the radiators with damp rags. This way, you will more easily collect dirt.
- Clean dust from radiators with a fine bristle brush to access all corners and nooks. Do not forget to pass it through the back parts, that is, those that are glued to the wall.
- Opt to put a damp cloth on the back and bottom of the radiator. Then use a hair dryer to blow out hot air - this way the dust will be directed onto the wet rags.
- Use a steamer after removing all the dust to remove any embedded dirt. Using steam is the best way to clean radiator stains, whether they are dust or water and lime.
- Lastly, remove the dirt with a cloth. You can also use a degreaser with water to make the heaters completely clean.
How to remove rust from the radiator
Radiators sometimes accumulate rust residue that must be removed quickly to avoid impairing performance. To remove rust stains from radiators we recommend you follow these instructions:
- Clean the radiator by covering the wall and the floor. Thus, you will avoid stains by protecting these areas.
- Scrub the radiator with a special steel brush or sandpaper to remove accumulated rust.
- Use a brush and blow dryer to remove any remaining powder.
- Use a rust transformer to eliminate stains: give the radiator a couple of hands with this product and wait the time indicated in its instructions to paint it.
- Denatured alcohol will help you clean the radiator after applying the oxide transformer.
- Protect the radiator with a natural product like beeswax. You just have to dissolve it in a water bath, apply it with a brush on the surface and let it dry before painting the heater.
- Lastly, paint the radiator with high temperature resistant paint.
With this method, you will be able to remove any type of stain on your radiator and paint them to restore their original color. If you're cleaning your home, you may also be interested how to clean BVC blinds.
How to clean central heating radiators
For central heating installations to function properly, it is essential to clean the radiators regularly. At oneHOWTO we give you the following tips to clean central heating radiators:
- Clean the grooves between the tubes with a vacuum cleaner and later with a cylindrical brush to remove all dust.
- When you clean these radiators, take the opportunity to observe their condition and detect rust stains or any breakage. Therefore, it is important to do so before plugging in and turning on the radiators.
- Carry out a hydraulic balance so that the radiators derived from the central heating can receive the necessary water and work correctly.
How to clean electric radiators
Cleaning iron radiators is a similar process to cleaning aluminum electric heaters. However, metal radiators do not require the use of a vacuum cleaner if they are tubular. Learn how to clean an aluminum or an iron radiator with these easy steps:
- Use an antistatic cloth to clean the entire surface. This cloth has a fabric on which all the dust will stick.
- Remove excess dust caught with the cloth while cleaning the radiator.
- If you see stains, remove them with radiator cleaning products or a steam cleaner. Remember to always have the radiator turned off and unplugged before you start cleaning it.
- Let it dry well or wipe it with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture before turning it on for normal use.
How to clean the heating radiator circuit
Making sure the heating circuit is clean is essential if you want your radiators to work well once you turn them on. That's why here at oneHOWTO we help you discover how to bleed the radiators with these easy steps:
- Turn off the boiler and completely empty the water circuit.
- Connect the hot and cold water pipes to the pump. Thus, the water will be distributed through the system, reaching all the radiators.
- Introduce an anti-scale product into the circuit with the pump. Dissolve it in water before putting it in the system.
- Reconnect the tubes to the boiler.
- Turn on the boiler and open the taps on the radiators. This way, you will be able to expel the anti-scale product dissolved with water so that the lime circuit, trapped air and other obstructions are cleaned.
- Fill the circuit with clean water and run it when you need it.
Don't forget to also check out our other article on how to clean a smelly sink.
If you want to read similar articles to How Do I Clean the Dust Out of My Radiator?, we recommend you visit our Maintenance and home security category.