When cleaning your radiators, you find inaccessible spaces, grids and gaps, which leave lint, dirt and even bad odors when you turn on the heating. Here we tell you how to do the best deep cleaning.
Autumn has just started in Spain and the cold is just around the corner , so it is the ideal time to get the heating ready. For this reason, we are going to explain to you in this article how to clean the radiators in a simple way and prepare them for heating.
And it is that, you must bear in mind that the radiators remain on for many hours during the cold months, and it is easy for them to end up accumulating a lot of dust after all summer without using them. It is important to free them of dirt before turning them back on, so take note.
Steps to clean your home radiators thoroughly
- As we have said, cleaning electric radiators is essential, especially if people who are sensitive to dust or with allergies live in the house. Let’s see how to clean water or electric radiators outside step by step:
- Cleaning should be done with the radiators turned off and cold, so we recommend doing it in autumn before plugging them in.
- Cover everything around the radiators with old newspapers or damp rags on the floor to better collect dirt and avoid dirtying everything.
- When cleaning dust, remember the rear sections of the radiators, that is, the one that sticks to the wall. There are special brushes on the marketfor this that will help you reach the most difficult corners. Its special shape narrows as it passes inside the heater and reaches all the grooves.
Radiator cleaning brush
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- You can also place a damp cloth under the radiator and another behind the wall. So you blow hot air with a hair dryer at it,which will cause all the dust to go down and behind the radiator attracted by the moisture from the wet cloths.
- After removing the dust, we recommend using steamfor a deep cleaning of electric radiators. If you have a steam cleaner, it will be ideal to get rid of the most encrusted dirt. It also helps remove water and dust spots that form on heaters.
- Lastly, wipe off any remaining residue with a rag and run a degreaser mixed with waterto complete the cleanup.
If you follow these steps, your electric radiators will glow at the same time as they will be sanitized before heating up. But you should also consider the material with which they are made before cleaning them, because depending on the type we will have to purge radiators or not.
Clean cast iron radiators
- Cast iron water radiators, compared to metal or aluminum tubular ones, need frequent cleaning and maintenance. For example, remove dust periodicallyto maximize heat production and save energy.
- If you are painting your home, take the opportunity to paint your cast iron radiators with a breathable product.
- To get rid of all the dust, you can use a powerful vacuum cleaner or a compressor. Before doing this, cover the furniture and the furniture around itso that you do not get everything dirty with the dust that will arise.
- Place the vacuum cleaner or compressor under the radiator to suck up or blow out all the dust.
- Next, take a container and place it under the radiator vent. Open the valve and you will see the dirty water coming out, even orange at first. This is the water that stays in the pipes, so you have to remove all of it until it comes out clean. This is what is known as bleeding radiators.
- When the water runs clear, close the valve. Next, take a bucket and mix warm water with neutral detergent or a degreaser. Wet a sponge with this solution and run it all over the radiator to remove any stains. Finally, dry the entire surface with a soft cloth.
Cleaning metal electric radiators
- The cleaning method for classic metal radiators is similar to the procedure used to clean cast iron ones.
- However, if you have designer radiators like tubular ones, you won’t need to use a vacuum cleaner or compressor.
- Wipe the entire frame with an antistatic clothand the dust will stick to the fabric. As you clean it, remove excess dust from the cloth frequently.
How to bleed the radiators
Bleeding radiators is essential when low temperatures arrive, as we will need to have the heating system ready to save energy. To get the most out of water radiators, we must maintain them well, at least once a year. Thus, we will have the desired temperature and avoid breakdowns.
Home heating systems work through a circuit of pipes and electric radiators that carry water inside. When this liquid is heated it radiates heat to the rooms but, on some occasions, in addition to water, air is introduced into the circuit, causing problems such as noises in the pipes. Also, it will cause the water radiators to heat up unevenly. To avoid this, you will have to bleed radiators.
Instructions for bleeding radiators
Place a bucket under the bleed valve which is usually next to the thermostat or under the screw on the side of the radiator. Turn the screw or valve a quarter turn and let the air out until you see cloudy water gushing out. So, close the valve and go to the next radiator. Start with the ones closest to the boiler and, if the house has two floors, start at the bottom.
The inside of the radiators should also be cleaned , as they accumulate traces of rust and dirt. To do this, close the stopcocks that allow water to enter and exit, hang them from the wall and empty the water and waste. Hang up and connect the water radiators again, fill the circuit again and check that the boiler has a pressure of one bar. Finally, you will have to bleed radiators to eliminate the excess air.
