A quick 10-minute clean can help radiators heat homes more efficiently

There is an easy way to help radiators run more efficiently and keep winter energy costs down, and it only requires a common bedroom item you may already have in a drawer.

Radiators can heat up more quickly if you take a quick 10-minute step (Image: Getty)

Few things are better than coming home to a warm, comfortable house when it is cold outside, but rooms can take a long time to heat up if radiators have not been cleaned for a while. Dust builds up inside them over time, and when the heating is switched on, that debris can restrict airflow and slow the warming process considerably.

That can leave you waiting far longer than you should for your home to reach a comfortable temperature, which is frustrating and can also waste energy while increasing winter electricity bills. Fortunately, Isabelle Bastian, an energy specialist and director at Fischer Future Heat, has shared a simple method for cleaning the inside of a radiator, and the ideal tool may already be sitting in your bedroom.

Isabelle said: “Some people use a hairdryer to blast out the dust from hard-to-reach places - if in doubt, wear a facemask to avoid inhaling the particles”.

Radiators often underperform because they are packed with dust (Image: Getty)

Cleaning radiators can be difficult because they have narrow gaps between the panels and fins where dust collects but is not easy to reach with a cloth or duster.

A hairdryer is useful because it can send a strong burst of air into those tight spaces and remove the dust and grime without needing to take anything apart.

It also makes the job much quicker, taking less than five minutes to blow out the dust before you finish the cleaning with very little effort.

A simple way to clean the inside of a radiator is to blow the dust out with a hairdryer (Image: Getty)

How to remove dust from radiators

First, turn off the central heating and make sure the radiator has fully cooled before you begin, so you do not get burned.

Place a towel under the radiator to catch the dust and stop it spreading onto the floor once you have finished. Then plug in a hairdryer and set it to the lowest heat setting with the highest fan speed.

Aim the hairdryer downward toward the floor and move it from side to side so the dust falls out. If you have asthma or allergies, it is a good idea to wear a mask to avoid breathing in the debris.

Using a hairdryer makes radiator cleaning easier and should take less than 10 minutes (Image: Getty)

Avoid using the hairdryer on a hot setting, since heat can cause fine particles to spread further around the room and create even more cleaning work.

After that, throw away the dust collected in the towel and vacuum around the base of the radiator. The inside should now be clean.

Wipe the outside of the radiator with a damp cloth and, for any stubborn marks, use soapy water mixed with washing-up liquid. Also remember to clean the gap between the radiator and the wall, where dust often gathers.

Use a separate cloth to dry any remaining moisture, and your radiator should work more effectively. Cleaning it at least twice a year can help prevent dust from building up again.