Did you know that even a thin layer of dust can reduce heating performance by up to ten percent? Conversely, this means: the thicker the dust layer, the more energy has to be generated to heat a room. Once the dirt really burns into the radiators in winter, the heating output can even drop by up to 30 percent. In addition, the dust is constantly stirred up by the warm air and thus noticeably worsens the indoor climate – especially for allergy sufferers. This makes it all the more important to regularly dust off the radiators. You’ll find out when the right time is and how it works best in the next section.
In fact, it makes the most sense to dust off radiators while they are not (yet) in use. This allows you to remove any dirt particles from last season that may have accumulated in the gaps and interior spaces. Another advantage here is that cold heaters are easier to clean with a special radiator brush because they attract less dust than warm ones – and you don’t run the risk of burning yourself when touching them. In addition (depending on the length of the cold period), it may not hurt to dust off the radiators at least once more between autumn and winter in order to keep energy costs as low as possible. You can find out which tools are useful here as follows.
Depending on what type of heating is installed in your living space, there are different cleaning options. We will introduce you to a few common methods. A tip in advance: place an old towel under the radiator to catch any remaining dust and dirt. Alternatively, you can easily vacuum away the dirt, depending on the floor covering.
Heaters whose front is completely closed and open at the top (with a grille) are also called panel radiators. To clean it, we recommend removing the heating grille – depending on the type of heater, the grille can simply be lifted up or it has to be unscrewed – and cleaned separately. For example, in the shower with a sponge and some dishwashing liquid. A radiator brush with goat hair bristles can be used to remove dust and dirt from the slats. Alternatively, there are also models with microfibers or nylon bristles.
Sectional heaters are among the oldest types of heating. In this antiquated model, individual elements (the so-called links) made of sheet steel are strung together – the number can vary depending on the size of the room. The advantage of cleaning is that you usually don’t need a special brush. To remove dust and dirt residue from the steel links, a damp cloth and some dishwashing liquid should be sufficient. If the gaps are harder to reach, you can also use a regular feather duster – or a special radiator duster.
As the name suggests, this type of heater is a very flat model. It is usually attached to the wall and not to the floor. While the front can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth, the slats and the gap between the radiator and the wall are difficult to reach. The use of a radiator brush – also known as a radiator brush for flat radiators – can definitely make sense here. There are even special attachments for standard vacuum cleaners that are designed to help with dust- and water-free cleaning.
So-called tubular radiators, which are primarily used in the bathroom, are particularly popular and modern. They not only serve to heat up the rooms, but are also used as towel warmers. And that’s not the only advantage: Since there are no open spaces, dust cannot accumulate inside the heater. Only the easy-care slats get dirty and can either be cleaned with a damp cloth or dusted with a special ribbed brush for radiators.
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