How to clean behind your radiator

Behind your radiators can be one of the most awkward places to clean in your home. It’s a hotspot for dust, grime and gunk, as well as some unwelcome house guests such as spiders. Many people simply leave this tricky spot, but if you’re wishing to hang clothes or towels on your radiators to dry it is more hygienic if the area is clean. It also stops your clean washing from being covered in dust and dirt! Your radiators will also function more efficiently if they are not clogged with dust and fluff. If you are a pet owner, it can be even more difficult as pet hair can often become clogged around these areas.

Here are some ingenious methods for reaching the hidden dirt if you can’t easily take the radiator off the wall.

• A steam cleaner – Using a strong blast of steam to dislodge the dust has the added benefits of the heat killing bacteria, as well as the moisture preventing the dust circulating in the air. This is often important to avoid if you or your family suffer from asthma or allergies. Using paper towels or an old towel to catch the falling debris can help to minimise the mess.

• Long cloths or old towels – A slightly damp rag or old towel can be a very easy method to reach this awkward spot. Simply twist the fabric tightly lengthways and using a flossing motion up and down the back of the radiator to dislodge grime.

• Hairdryer – Some more powerful hairdryers may be able to blow the dust out of the nooks and crannies behind the radiator. This can be an untidy method to use however, as the dust will be moved around the room and cause mess in other places. The heat from the hairdryer can also cause an unpleasant smell if any dust particles start to get very hot.

• Vacuum Cleaner – Your longer hoover attachment may be able to reach the majority of the dust behind your radiator. A tip if it is slightly too short is to use an old cardboard tube, fasten to the end of the hoover attachment and compress until it is flat enough to reach additional areas.

• Damp sock and wire coat hanger – This homemade contraption can be quite effective and low cost! Make sure to securely tie the sock onto the wire, otherwise you will have a lost sock lodged in your radiator as well as the dust!

• Bottle/Pipe brushes – These slim brushes have extra-long handles to reach in all the crevices behind the radiator, and fluffy bristles to dislodge dust and dirt. For smaller areas, toothbrushes can also be helpful to scrub away grime.

• Compressed air canister- This can be very effective at blasting away dust from difficult angles if you can still reach close enough with the nozzle.

If you have not cleaned your radiator for a while, it is best to try and do it during summer months when it is not in use. This will prevent any accidents from you burning or catching yourself on hot areas of the radiator. Make sure not to use abrasive materials to clean your radiators as these can damage and scratch the surface. To clean stubborn stains leave a mild cleaning solution on the stained area for a few minutes and then clean off with soft cloth or sponge.

To make your  radiator smell fresh, a good tip is to add a couple of drops of essential oil to a damp cloth and rub over the outside of the radiator. This will help to release the scent when the radiator is switched on and heats up.