Do you need guidance when cleaning your heater inside and out? In this guide you will find the most common methods!
At the beginning and after the heating season, it is important to be able to clean dirt accumulations from the heater inside and out. However, these are often visually hidden by a grille above or in hard-to-reach places, thereby affecting heat production. In addition, dusty radiators could have a negative impact on health, which is why they require regular maintenance and care. Fortunately, some tried-and-tested cleaning methods and household products have been proven to be effective and can be easily used in your own home. Below you can find out what options there are to make your cleaning work easier.
When should you clean your heater inside and out?
On the outside, heating elements are susceptible to various contaminants such as grease deposits and nicotine in the kitchen or animal hair in living rooms. Just as much accumulates inside the radiatorsDust, which is a problem for allergy sufferersand sensitive people can cause breathing problems. But what is the best time to clean the surfaces of the heater inside and out? And what kind of cleaning agents can be compatible and effective at the same time? Here is some useful information that can help you during the cleaning process.
- If you decide to do a thorough interior cleaning, it is best to do it in the fall or after the heating season. It is of course also recommended to carry out occasional interim cleaning at regular intervals.
- Stubborn dirt on the inside of radiators usually occurs when they are used in the cold seasons. Dust accumulated behind ducts and slats also requires deep cleaning, otherwise it will reduce thermal efficiency.
- As far as the outside of radiators is concerned, it absorbs all the dirt from the environment every day. For this and other hygienic reasons, cleaning the exterior surfaces of heaters more frequently is one of the most important household matters.
- During operation, radiators attract dust through air currents and warm air. This is because the warm air first rises and then cools down again. In old heaters, dust accumulates more often and stays longer, although modern and flat radiators in bedrooms or bathrooms are also affected by this.
- Insoluble dirt or reaction products of the material with impurities from the circulating substance also collect on the inner walls of the radiators. This can eventually lead to a blockage, which is usually associated with costly repairs. Therefore, it is also important to carry out regular maintenance of the heat exchange elements using special means.
What should you pay attention to with different types of radiators?
So that you have your heatingclean inside and outsideyou should first familiarize yourself with the special features of different models. First of all, it is important to determine the material from which the radiator is made. Those made of aluminum cannot tolerate the same cleaning methods as, for example, radiators made of brass, copper or cast iron. The reason for this is that the former do not use solder in their construction and this metal reacts negatively to caustic soda.
Additionally, unlike copper and brass, aluminum is reactive, making the material more susceptible to some substances such as baking soda. It is therefore important to be able to clean the existing heater inside and out without damaging it. In general, regular rinsing and filling is sufficient for aluminum radiators, although other materials can be cleaned in various ways. There are also bimetal products that are lighter but cool down more quickly and are easier to keep clean. In addition, such radiators are less likely to clog because they are made of smooth bimetal to which dirt rarely sticks.
What devices and tricks can you use to clean dirty heating inside and out?
There are suitable household appliances and cleaning products that you can use when cleaning radiators. Here are some of the most common of them:
- Feather duster:The easiest way to remove light dirt from radiators with fins is to use a feather duster. When dust particles become statically charged, they often stick. You can easily remove these with a flat-shaped cleaning tool with a longer handle, such as a feather duster.
- Vacuum cleaner:With a narrow attachment, narrow spaces on heaters can be easily removed from dust on the outside and inside. You can then wipe the radiators with a damp cloth
- Hairdryer:Hang a damp cloth on the inside of the radiator and blow hot air with a hair dryer to remove dust.
- Steam cleaner:Such a device is suitable for radiators with fins, as the steam jet can loosen stubborn dirt and disinfect the radiator. Protect surrounding surfaces by covering them and be careful not to damage the coating.
- Kettle:You can also place a baking tray under the radiator and then pour cooking water onto the radiator from all sides. The heat dissolves the dirt and the dirty water collects at the bottom of the container. Of course, you can also boil the water in a pot, but this would slow down the cleaning process.
How to clean the inside of a radiator?
If it is a matter of thorough interior cleaning, you should empty the thermal fluid before dismantling. For this reason, it is recommended to do this before the heating season, which will prevent any problems. If the procedure is not prophylactic, it would be advisable to hire a professional with special tools. Otherwise, you can follow the steps described below.
- First dismantle the radiator and remove all plugs.
- Then drain any liquid and fill the radiator with hot, but not boiling, water.
- Then try to shake the radiator well to dissolve the dirt deposits inside.
- Then prepare a cleaning solution with dish soap or soapy water for the next rinse. If you use special chemicals, you should regulate the amount depending on the model. Effective home remedies you can use include distilled white vinegar, lactic acid, citric acid and hydrogen peroxide.
- After pouring the solution into the heat exchanger, you need to close all the openings again and leave the radiator in this position for several hours.
- Then shake the radiator so that limescale and other accumulations inside fall off.
- You can then remove all the plugs and drain the contents from the radiator.
- Finally, fill the interior several times with clean hot water to rinse away any remaining reagent.
What alternative methods and home remedies can you use to clean the heating inside and outside?
You can also use proven cleaning methodsUse alternatives to chemical cleaners, where common home remedies can be used when cleaning the inside and outside of the heating system. When it comes to yellowed radiators due to grease accumulation or cigarette smoke, timely removal of the dirt plays a crucial role. However, natural products with fat-dissolving properties can be used to combat this. You can proceed as follows:
- The use ofHydrogen peroxidecan help clean and disinfect the heater. This is particularly helpful if you have a dust allergy. Apply the home remedy to a cloth or rag to systematically wipe down each section of the radiator.
- citric acidcan help against unpleasant odors caused by drying clothes on heating elements. To do this, dissolve three teaspoons of it in a glass of warm water and wipe the surfaces with it.
- A cleaning solutionacetic acid and water, which you can prepare in a 1:3 ratio in a spray bottle, is also suitable for this. Spray the radiators with it and then wipe them with a clean cloth.
- Another common home remedy you can use isbaking powder, which you can dissolve in water and use to treat the surfaces. This cleaning solution can be combined with the same for an even stronger effecteffective apple cider vinegarand normal dishwashing liquid.
- You can toochalkUse when cleaning your heater inside and out as it has abrasive properties.
How to get into hard-to-reach places in radiators using tricks?
There are some clever hacks you can use to remove dirt from inaccessible areas of your heater.
- To do this, use for exampleHousehold gloves, which you previously smear with cleaning agent or the solutions described above. You can also use these with a feather duster by soaking them in soapy water to remove dirt from narrow spaces.
- If you don't have gloves at the moment, you can tooold socksuse for the cleaning task.
- With hot radiators you can also use unusable onesWinter glovesattracted to do the job this way.
- If you have enough time and patience, you can also use oneold toothbrushEffectively remove stubborn stains and dirt build-up by using the home remedies above.
To avoid the hassle of scrubbing and time-consuming cleaning work, you should always pay attention to the cleanliness of your radiators. Otherwise, in worse situations, you can resort to the cleaning methods described above. It's best to clean your heating system inside and out every time you do a basic cleaning of your home. This will prevent dust and sticky dirt from accumulating over time, which will complicate the cleaning process. If you stick to this routine, cleaning the heating elements before and after the heating season would be enough.
Also read: “KEEP YOUR APARTMENT WARM WITHOUT HEATING: KEEP THE HEAT IN WITH THESE EFFICIENT STRATEGIES & TRICKS!“
