How To Clean a Radiator With a Top Grill

If your radiators smell of dust when you turn them on, or they’re starting to look a little unsightly, it’s probably time to give them a clean. A dusty radiator is an inefficient radiator as the build-up can prevent the effective transfer of heat between the internal fins. Thankfully, performing some DIY radiator cleaning on any radiator with a top grill is really easy and can be done in a few simple steps with only a few tools.

Preparations

Before you begin the process of cleaning your radiator, make sure you switch off the heat! Radiators get hot, after all, so make sure you’re not risking scalding your fingers by ensuring the heating is off and the radiator is cool or cold before you start cleaning it. Next, gather your tools. You don’t need a lot of things but there are a few items that will become handy and you’ll want to make sure you have them before you begin.

• Duster - whether this is a microfibre cloth or a fluffy one doesn’t matter. You just need something to shift the dust.
• Radiator duster - You can find these long, narrow dusters in any hardware shop’s home section but can also make your own from a long dowel, a microfibre cloth, and an elastic band.
• Hoover - Useful for helping to dislodge stubborn dust and for cleaning up afterwards.
• Damp cloth or sponge - For getting rid of stubborn dust or dirt.

Remove radiator cover

The first step to cleaning your radiator is to take the top grill off. On most radiators, the top grill is held into place by the side panels, so the first step in removing the top grill is to unclip the sides. Hold the side panel both at the top and bottom and apply a bit of upwards force. The panel should slide upwards and lift off, leaving the top grill in place. You may need to unclip the grill if your radiator only has one side panel so double check before lifting the grill off with both hands.      

How to clean out a radiator

Now that the top grill has been removed, you’re ready to begin cleaning. Using your collection of dusters, clean away any visible dust. Use the long duster to get between the fins on the inside and hoover off the top grill as well as any fallen dust. It’s not advisable to use any spray cleaners but if some debris needs a bit of help being dislodged, you can use a damp cloth or sponge instead, being careful of any electrical wiring.  

   Finally, use the damp sponge to clean the top grill off really well and give the front and sides of the radiator a wipe down as well. You’re now ready to put the radiator cover back on and enjoy your new clean radiators and warm, toasty home. Cleaning your radiators doesn’t need to be a daunting task and is actually really easy to do once you’ve got the know-how. For anything else you don’t know, the UK Radiators Advice Centre is here to help.