There is nothing better than coming home to a warm house, thanks to your central heating. You can put your feet up and enjoy the enveloping sensation…but to enjoy this feeling for years to come there is a small amount of maintenance required.
Dust is everywhere, whether you can see it or not, that is all sorts of dust floating around us. Pet hair (if you have pets), nicotine residue (if you’re a smoker), and all sorts of things mixed through… it's better not to think about it. Dust, cobwebs, and other debris easily find a home in the crevices of the radiators. But it really shouldn’t be there. In fact, this debris can prevent the radiator from performing and in turn makes it work harder to heat the room.
Central Heating radiators are convectors, the warm water runs through the series of pipes and through the radiator which radiates warmth into the room. The warm air rises and the cool air falls - as the cool air falls, it takes the dust with it and naturally draws through the radiator, dust will begin to collect at the back and across the fins of your radiator.
It's so important to make the maintenance and cleaning of your radiator a part of our cleaning routine. There’s never a bad time to clean your radiators, but summertime is probably the best time to give them a thorough cleaning, as you won’t have your central heating on as much as you might during the winter season.
How to properly clean the external surface of a steel radiator
Our radiators are available in different finishes, most common are powder coated and chrome plated
Both finishes must guarantee:
Good aesthetic results – meeting customer expectations in terms of appearance
Good functional performance – protecting the radiator body from rust.
Rust on the external surface is caused by the presence of air and water. Powder coating and chrome finish protect the radiator against air and water. The radiator, once installed, incurs dust deposits, just like any other piece of furniture. The radiator, unlike a sink, for example, is not subject to limestone deposits, nor does it need to be sanitized, unlike sanitary ware.
To do:
- In preparation to clean your radiator – Ensure your heating system is turned off.
- To remove the dust from the convector fins – Use a duster to dislodge any excess dust and vacuum as much of the radiator as possible.
- To remove the dust from the radiator surface – Use a soft, damp cloth, as we do while cleaning other pieces of furniture.
- To clean your radiator – Use vinegar, remember to rinse the surface afterward.
- Vinegar is an eco-friendly, anti-limestone product - If you use a natural product, you respect your skin and the environment.
Not to do:
- The radiator is not subject to limestone deposits, nor does it need to be sanitized, unlike sanitary ware. It is therefore not appropriate to use aggressive products, used for cleaning other bathroom components. The use of these substances is unjustified and harmful for painted or chromed surfaces, which by their nature are not resistant to chlorine and acids. The use of these substances, especially if not rinsed thoroughly, damages the finish that protects the steel and created permanent damage to the radiator, rust, stains, or abrasions.
Particular attention must be paid to the chrome surface – rough/metal sponges must be avoided, as this finish is easily subject to scratches!
A little maintenance goes a long way with radiators, perhaps making it a part of your weekly routine will ensure that you will never forget it. Now you can put your feet up and really relax knowing your radiators are clean and emitting the most radiant heat possible.
Download your step-by-step guide here.
