With the return of the cold, most families turn on the heating to regain thermal comfort in the home. But before restarting the radiator, some take the time to dust and clean it. This measure is not just aesthetic. It is especially essential to protect the health of the occupants of the house. In fact, radiators can accumulate dust, nicotine residues from smoking and dirt. In this article we reveal the best tips for cleaning your radiators before winter.

Electric radiators, inertia or even electric convectors can accumulate dust and dirt. In addition to the health danger that these residues can cause, it would appear that a dirty radiator becomes less efficient over time, as indicated by the experts at Engie. Therefore, to save energy during the winter and clean up the living space, regular cleaning of these heating devices is necessary.

Before cleaning the radiator

Before you move on to cleaning the radiator, you must first turn off the central heating. Wait for the device to cool down to avoid inconveniences.

So, be sure to dust the radiator using a hair dryer, soft cloth, duster or suitable vacuum cleaner. If you opt for a hair dryer, start by placing a towel on the floor. Then point the hair dryer at the grooves at the top of the heater. You will then be able to eliminate as much dust as possible this way. If you choose to dust it with a soft cloth, gently run it around all corners of the radiator to remove dirt and dust.

If you prefer down, opt for the dust-catching version to avoid spreading dust into the air. Finally, if you have a good vacuum cleaner, preferably with a flat head nozzle or brush, you can get an excellent dusting of your radiator.

Cleaning products for maintaining and polishing radiators

There are natural tricks that will allow you to clean your radiator before turning it on during the winter.

• Baking soda and vinegar

Baking soda is known for its cleansing and sanitizing properties. A natural disinfectant, this cleaning product has many household uses. White vinegar is a mild acid that cleans and disinfects various surfaces. Here are the cleaning steps:

• Wipe the radiator with a damp cloth to remove dust;
• Dip a cloth in the bicarbonate paste (mix the white powder with a little water) and rub the surface;
• To loosen dirt from hard-to-reach corners, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub;
• Then pass a cloth soaked in white vinegar over the radiator and leave to act for 20 minutes;
• Clean with a soft cloth and let dry.
• Vinegar and dish detergent

There are a number of surprising uses for dish soap in home maintenance. After removing dust from the radiator, follow these steps to complete the cleaning:

• Pour one cup of dish soap into one gallon of water;
• Add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and mix until you obtain a sort of foam;
• Use a sponge soaked in this preparation to clean the radiator, then rub with a dry cloth to dry it and prevent the appearance of rust.

Now you know the correct ways to clean a radiator. Don’t forget to bleed the radiator if you hear any flow noises or if it is no longer working optimally.