Households switching on heating for the first time after summer may notice a hot, dusty smell. This odour can signal that radiators are not working efficiently. Dust builds up inside radiators, disrupting airflow and potentially raising energy bills.
Expert Advice on Tackling Hidden Dust
Nigel Bearman, director at commercial cleaning firm Daily Poppins, has shared advice for cleaning neglected radiator areas. He recommends switching off the heating and letting the radiator cool fully before starting. Place an old towel underneath to catch falling debris, then inspect the top and rear of the radiator for dust.
Begin by using a vacuum cleaner with a long attachment or a specialised radiator brush to remove most of the dust. Avoid adding water at this stage, as moisture makes dust stick and harder to remove. Bearman explained: "If you wet a thick layer of dust, you can turn it into grime that is much harder to remove. Get as much loose debris out as possible first, then wipe the outside afterwards."
A Simple Hairdryer Trick
Another method requires no cleaning products, just a common hair styling appliance. A hairdryer can blow dust out of the bottom of the radiator. Bearman suggests using the cool setting and angling the airflow downwards so loosened dust falls to the floor, ready to be vacuumed up.
He explained: "Use cool air and expect a bit of mess. The idea is simply to shift the dust somewhere you can reach it. Put the towel down first or you may just end up blowing months of dust across the floor."
