The simple and cheap way to clean dirt, dust and grime from your radiators before the autumn chill sets in
AS the cold autumn weather has arrived, many of us are thinking of switching the radiators back on to keep cosy.
With the bills skyrocketing, you also want to make sure you’re getting the most out of the heating you’re paying for.
But if you’ve put your heating on and the radiators take a long time to heat up it could indicate there’s a problem – and you’re essentially pouring money down the train.
What many may not realise is that radiators need to be in top condition to work properly and if they are not the crucial error could send your monthly bill spiralling out of control.
A lot of the times your radiators aren’t providing the heat you’re paying for because of the dirt and dust build-up over the time.
Luckily, as the chilly weather begins to set in, an expert has come to rescue with an easy cleaning hack that not only will remove the grime – but also help you enjoy a warm home.
Taking to YouTube, the whizz, Ilze Whiteman, revealed how to tackle the dust that’s sitting inside your radiator – and it takes just seconds.
Demonstrating the trick on her page, the pro said in the video: ”So, all you need is a spray bottle with diluted degreaser in there because you want that grease and some of that stubborn dirt that’s been sitting there for years to actually start dissolving.”
This purse-friendly hack means the now-liquid dirty will start to come off with no faff – but don’t forget to place a towel or an old cloth underneath to protect your floors.
”You also want to use a very tiny bit of the detergent because you obviously don’t want it soapy – or the detergent to be left there.”
According to the guru, who often shares cleaning content on the platform, the stronger the spray nozzle is, the better.
Once done, she instructed, grab plain water and ”squirt all over to remove all the dirt” properly.
”You are very, very welcome,” she chuckled at the end of the short video.
This simple yet effective trick – perfect as the temperatures begin to lower – comes in especially handy if you cannot remove the grill of the radiator.
More than a dozen of YouTube viewers raced to comments to praise Ilze, as close to 550 gave it a like.
Should you clean the inside of your radiators?
Apparently, homeowners should clean the inside of radiators once a year.
Fabulous’ Associate Editor, Rebecca Miller, is cleaning-obsessed. She shares her thoughts on this cleaning hack.
“My standards of cleanliness, and tidiness are impeccably high. People have walked into my flat and told me it looks like a show home. I am so determined to keep it looking brand new, that I am constantly cleaning.
But one thing I have never cleaned is the inside of my radiators.
I’ve lived at my flat for nearly 5 years, and not once have I thought about blowing hot air down the vents, or getting wire cleaners to fiddle about and disrupt the dust, never mind, throwing a Zoflora solution down the inside.
However, whilst it might seem like the last cleaning chore to do in the summer, it is important to get it done before you start using your radiators.
Heating expert, Nicholas Auckland previously told The Sun that if you have clogged up radiators, you could end up paying £65-£119 extra a year on heating bills, because they have to work twice as hard to pump heat into your home.
With this in mind, I’m off to clean the inside of my radiators – brb…”
One said: ”Thank you! I’ve tried to remove the grill but can’t, so this is great help.”
”Mine doesn’t come off. Super helpful, thanks,” another chimed in.
”Thanks, just doing this now,” a third was keen to give the hack a go.
However, not everyone will be racing to try it out for themselves, as others swore by different methods.
One, for instance, said that an ”old, dry toothbrush works much better”.
”This doesn’t look right,” another wasn’t entirely convinced.