Home generalClean radiator inside and outside properly - DIY instructions

Clean radiator inside and outside properly - DIY instructions

Clean radiator

  • General information about radiators
  • Clean radiator - inside
    • Open radiator
    • Attachment for the vacuum cleaner
    • Use hair dryer and rag
    • Brush for inside and outside
  • Clean radiator - exterior
    • Wash with soapy water
    • Use dusters
    • Working with a steam cleaner
    • Remove paint residues from the heater
    • Use cleaning agent
    • Remove fatty deposits and nicotine

Especially at the beginning and after the heating period, many people notice the amount of dust that has accumulated inside the heater. Overlaid grids often obscure the dust optically, but it damages the heat output and has a negative effect on health. In our guide you will learn how to clean the radiators, both inside and outside.

While the dust dominates inside, the radiators on the outside are susceptible to many different types of dirt: fatty deposits form in the kitchen, nicotine attacks the surface over time, and people and pets inflict dirt on the surface. Therefore, it is important to clean the radiators regularly and thus to keep attractive and clean. But this raises the question of how the surface can best be cleaned. Which means are compatible and effective "> General information about radiators

When do I clean the radiators best?
Thorough cleaning indoors should always be done after the heating season and before the onset of winter. In between, you can make intermediate cleaning at regular intervals. However, the largest contaminants inside the radiators arise during use in the cold season. In the slats and the grooves accumulate large amounts of dust, which must be removed. They are not only harmful to allergy sufferers and look neglected but also worsen the heating performance. The exterior is cleaned more regularly because it absorbs any dirt from the environment and therefore needs to be cleaned frequently for hygienic reasons.

Why does a particularly large amount of dust settle in the radiators in winter ">

Clean radiator - inside

Open radiator

In order to get into the interior of the radiator, you often have to remove a cover. It can either rest loosely or be screwed tight. In the latter case, the screws are usually either on the back of the radiator or on the side.

Radiator - attachment grid

The grid, which lies on the radiator body, has narrow-meshed grooves. The cracks are often difficult to reach, so be sure to remove the grille before cleaning. First of all, wash the grid yourself and have different options:

  • Rinse the grille thoroughly under shower or in a bath. Use soap or detergent for cleaning, and grease cleaners for stubborn dirt.
  • Use a brush to remove the dust from the grooves. With the help of thin bristles, you can effortlessly enter the interstices and brush out dust accumulation.
  • Work with a thin cloth and clean the gaps. Place the grille upright in a bucket. Soak the cloth in water, which you have previously mixed with a little detergent. Then clean the grille and the spaces between them.

Attachment for the vacuum cleaner

A simple way to clean the interior is the vacuum cleaner. In modern models, various attachments are supplied, including radiators or flat cracks. This solves the problem of limited access.

Vacuum the heater with the vacuum cleaner

Tip: Start with a low suction level and clean the spaces between the heaters. Then turn up the power from the vacuum cleaner.

The vacuum cleaner is also suitable for bathroom heating to remove coarse dirt such as dust. Then wipe the individual elements again damp, for example, with a cleaner and water.

Use hair dryer and rag

With the help of the hair dryer you blow the dust from top to bottom. So that the dust is then collected and can not be distributed in the room, place a damp cloth underneath the radiator. The water absorbs the dust fluff. This procedure is particularly suitable when the interior of the radiator is difficult to access.

Clean the radiator with a hair dryer

Brush for inside and outside

A brush has the advantage that it also removes firmer deposits. However, you must be careful not to damage the surface. For indoor use, a soft brush, which also gets into the spaces between. The brush must have a long style.

Clean radiator - exterior

Wash with soapy water

Simple soiling can be removed with a sponge and a little soap or detergent. Soft rinse sponges (even with a rough side) are well suited for this because they work well on more stubborn areas without attacking the paint. Wire brushes without metal sponges, however, are prohibited as they rub off the paint.

Clean radiator with detergent

Use dusters

Ribbed radiators can often be cleaned with a feather duster. If the fronds create a static charge, the dust will hang and can be pulled upwards. However, the duster must have a flat shape and at the same time have a long handle.

Tip: Since a lot of dust usually accumulates in the fins, you often have to shake out the fronds in between.

Working with a steam cleaner

Steam cleaners are ideal for removing more stubborn deposits on the outside. They are effective and therefore ideally suited. If you use the steam cleaner, then let the heater dry sufficiently afterwards. Small and handy steam cleaners are available from specialist retailers that are in effective use.

Remove paint residues from the heater

A common problem is paint residues that are on the heater body. You get by painting the walls on the radiator, but can also be easily removed after drying in general. Here, however, the chosen color is crucial, as some color residues are more persistent than other variants.

Remove paint residues

In general, it is sufficient if you first carefully scrape off the coarse remains and then rework with a sponge, water and detergent.

If the first variant does not work, soften the color a bit. Moisten it for this and wait a few minutes. Often the color can then be better detached.

If both of these are not effective, you can sand the paint with a wire brush and then repaint the heater body, or use some thinner to remove the paint.

Use cleaning agent

In the trade you will find a variety of cleaning agents that can be used as an alternative to dishwashing detergent. One option is the Sagrotan Cleaner "Power and Pure", which is effective and considered to be relatively non-toxic. Thus, a variant is available, which is also suitable for surfaces that come into contact with food, as well as for children's toys. The cleaner forms a foam that softens dirt and makes it easy to wipe off. Even fat can be removed.

Remove fatty deposits and nicotine

In the kitchen it comes through the process of roasting over time to fat deposits. This form of contamination is particularly persistent and leads to the optical yellowing of the radiator. Another problem is nicotine deposits, which can occur in all rooms in which the cigarette smoke is absorbed.

Remove nicotine

In both cases, proceed as follows:

The easiest way to remove the dirt is when it is still fresh. Therefore, it is important to do regular cleaning in smoker's households as well as in the kitchen.

Fat deposits can not be removed by water alone, so you need special cleaners. The specialist dealer offers grease cleaner, which is suitable for effective cleaning. Use the product according to the enclosed instructions and always wipe thoroughly with clean water. In addition, ensure that there is sufficient ventilation and remove the cleaner without leaving any residue.

Oven spray has also been designed specifically for the removal of grease. It is therefore also suitable for the cleaning of radiators.

Tip: Do not inhale the spray and ventilate well.

After a while, the surface becomes permanently discolored. In this case, clean the heater body as much as possible and then repaint it. The painting should take place in summer, so that the surface can dry for a few days without the heating being switched on.

Tips for quick readers:

  • Clean inside before and after winter
  • Remove grease deposits
  • Nicotine causes discoloration
  • if necessary, repaint
  • work with vacuum cleaner
  • Insert brush
  • Use detergent
  • Use grease cleaner or oven spray
  • Remove grid and clean
  • Grid board can be screwed tight
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