How to Clean Dust from Inside Radiators

Radiators are seemingly always dusty. Dust loves making itself at home in the nooks and crannies of a radiator, and it’s always just out of your duster’s reach. Beyond dismantling the radiator, how can you clean the grime from inside this household dust magnet?

Securely attach a microfibre cloth around a long, thin object such as a strip of wood to construct a homemade radiator brush.

Otherwise, purchase a radiator brush from a reputable store. Once you’ve acquired a brush, simply sweep it within your radiator to remove the dust, then wipe down the radiator’s exterior with a damp cloth.

So, that’s the short version. However, throughout the rest of this article, I’ll offer radiator brush recommendations and talk about why it’s important to keep your radiator clean. 

I’ll also give you other ways to demolish hidden radiator dust. You’ll radiate cleaning knowledge!

The Benefits of a Clean Radiator

Peek into most radiators and you’ll notice a coating of dust on the inner rails. These heating instruments are often overlooked in weekly cleaning routines since the dust is out of sight.

However, having a dust-free radiator means there’s less dust circulating in your home. This means fewer dust mites, fewer bacteria, and less sneezing due to tiny dust particles irritating your nostrils.

Having a clean radiator allows it to work more efficiently. A layer of dust makes it harder for heat to escape the appliance and warm the air in your home. Right now, a family of dust mites could be stealing your warmth.

Plus, aesthetically, it’s nice to peer into a radiator grate and be greeted with a clean interior.

 

Using a Radiator Brush to Clean Your Radiator

The most efficient way to clean a radiator is to use a radiator brush. This handy tool will let you reach the blackest depths of your radiator’s interior without forcing you to remove its cover.

Here’s how to clean your radiator with a brush:

1. First, turn off your central heating to avoid a nasty burn!
2. Next, lay a towel flat underneath your radiator unit to collect the falling grime.
3. Then, slide the brush between the wall and the radiator, sweeping from side to side. Dust will be dislodged and collected on your towel.
4. You may be able to remove the grille at the top of your radiator unit by pulling up the cover near the bolt on the left side.
5. Use your radiator brush to sweep at the dust, letting it fall onto your towel. Use the brush’s flexibility to poke into the gaps within the heating unit.
6. Replace the grille and wipe down the outside of your unit with a wet cloth to banish any outer dust.
7. Dry your unit with a cloth before using it again.
8. Shake your towel outside or over an open bin bag to remove some of the dirt, then get your dusty towel in the wash.

Radiator Brush Recommendations

You could construct your own radiator brush by taping a cloth to a thin stick, but it’s a bit fiddly, and special brushes are cheap to purchase.

Here are a few decent, inexpensive radiator brushes!

• The HomeMate Microfibre Radiator Cleaner is a fancy instrument for a less fancy price. This 80-cm-long brush uses microfibre material to smoothly ease the dust off your radiator’s innards. Reviewers love its length and flexibility and commend its versatility; you can also use it to clean behind the fridge and washing machine.
• Holikme’s Radiator Cleaner Brush can slide into the radiator grille – perfect for grilles that are hard to remove. This brush’s thinness is its main asset, but its sturdy bristles are sure to give your household dust a shakedown. Most customers like its flexibility and cleaning power, but some complained that too many bristles fell out. At less than £10 for two brushes, why not give it a shot?
• Tesco’s Microfibre Bendy Duster is a budget-friendly tool that promises to pick up dust effortlessly using its superior adsorption force. It’s bendy and the cover is machine-washable, so it can easily be reused. Customers are full of admiration for this duster, with one reviewer’s husband going cleaning-mad after receiving the tool.

 

Using a Vacuum Cleaner to Clean Your Radiator

You don’t always have to get stuck in with the brush; you can give your radiator a quick clean with a vacuum cleaner.

1. Use the attachment tool to sweep across the top grille.
2. Then, slide the tool along the gap where the radiator meets the wall.
3. Finally, sweep across the bottom of the radiator with your vacuum attachment and suck up any dust that landed on the carpet.

 

Using a Hairdryer to Clean Your Radiator

This one could get messy!

1. Lay your trusty dust towel flat below the radiator.
2. Grab an ordinary hairdryer and position the nozzle above the top radiator grille.
3. Turn the hairdryer on, setting it to full blast.
4. Try not to get covered in dust as it flies out of your radiator! Catch the dust on the towel.
5. Remove the towel, shaking off most of the dust before sticking it in the washing machine.
6. I’d recommend vacuuming below the radiator to catch any dust that blew astray.

 

Conclusion

Cleaning dust from inside your radiator is easy once you know how, and it’ll give you more heating for less money, alongside fresher air.

You can clean your radiator with a radiator brush. Some brushes are thin enough to fit between the slats on the top grille, while others can be used once the grille is removed.

Lay a towel below your radiator to collect the dust that falls when you brush it, then wipe down the unit’s exterior to remove all the dust.

You can also blow a hairdryer into the top of your radiator on full power, collecting the falling dust onto a towel laid flat underneath the unit.

Finally, you can vacuum the dust out of your radiator using a vacuum cleaner’s bendy attachment tool. This is perfect for a quick radiator spruce-up.