How to clean radiators: 4 incredible tricks you can try before turning them on

With the arrival of the first cold weather, radiators return to being the silent protagonists of our homes, ready to restore warmth and comfort after the long summer break. Before turning them on, however, it would be appropriate to stop for a moment and consider an often overlooked aspect: cleaning, an essential step to guarantee optimal thermal efficiency and a healthy home environment.
The dust accumulated during months of inactivity, in addition to hindering the uniform diffusion of heat, also risks becoming a real enemy of air quality, especially for those suffering from allergies.
Tackling this operation might seem, at first glance, to be a boring and tiring task, but the reality is surprisingly different. With a few creative tricks and a bit of ingenuity, you can achieve a flawless result without turning the process into a Herculean undertaking. From more traditional methods to innovative and even curious solutions, often discovered thanks to platforms such as TikTok, cleaning radiators can be simpler than you think. And, let’s face it, isn’t it also a little satisfying to see the fins shine while you rediscover how a clean environment is more welcoming? So let’s see 5 tricks for cleaning the radiator, coming directly from TikTok!

Clean the radiator with the hairdryer

You hadn’t thought about it, tell the truth. However, the hairdryer can also be used to clean the radiator! Proceed like this:
Take a cloth or rag, moisten it with water and place it under the radiator. At this point the hairdryer comes into play: turn it on and start passing it along the upper part of the radiator and also on the sides, where there are the various cracks. The air will push the dust to the ground, where it will be collected by the previously placed cloth. Simple, right?

Knot method to clean the radiator

Less unusual method than the previous one, even if not completely “traditional”. All we will need is a simple wipe, or a medium-sized cloth. Proceed like this:
Tie a knot, using one of the ends of the towel, and insert everything inside the radiator, in the upper part. At this point, grab the smaller ribbon and pass it, from top to bottom, along the entire length of the radiator, repeating the passage for each slot. The cloth will capture all excess dust, quickly and easily!

How to clean radiators with the jug method

Here things get interesting, and we will need several materials: a basin, a jug full of hot water (1 liter will be more than fine), a spoonful of Marseille soap flakes, a glass of vinegar, an old towel, a stick and a microfibre cloth. Proceed like this:
Pour the vinegar into the jug with the water, add the soap flakes and mix until they are completely dissolved. At this point, place the towel under the radiator and place the basin on it. We are ready for the cleaning phase: pour the product onto the radiator, then take the stick and wrap it in the microfibre cloth, then pass it between the various slots in the radiator. Dry everything with a cloth and the radiator will be as clean as ever!

Clean radiators with a “butterfly”

We won’t need the cute insect, don’t worry, but just an old sponge, a band and a basin full of water and Marseille soap. Proceed like this:
Take the sponge, cut it in half and wrap it with the band: as a result we will have a butterfly-shaped sponge! Immerse the butterfly in the soap and water mixture, place it inside the slots and slide it downwards, repeating the process until the radiator is clean.

Happy cleaning!