How to clean behind radiators – 5 methods to make fluff-filled gaps a thing of the past

There are certain cleaning jobs around the home that tend to get shuffled to the bottom of the to-do pile – and cleaning behind radiators is often one of them.

Granted, this isn't an area that is often on show, but when fluff, dirt and dust start to peek out of the radiator, it really is time to take action. Not only does it look pretty grim, but it could also be affecting the performance of your radiators and could even be dangerous as a high volume or sheet of dry dust-balls can be a fire risk.

If this is one of those tasks you have been putting off, rest assured – our experts' cleaning tips, you can be done and dusted (literally) in no time at all.

How to clean behind radiators with ease

Aesthetics aside, it is important to give the space behind your radiators a good clean monthly. If you are after cleaning tips for allergy sufferers, you might be interested to know that this is a job that could help ease symptoms.

It's also important for avoiding fire risks. 'As an electrical expert, I can tell you that dust causes a lot of problems if you don’t take care of it regularly,' warns Andrew Bates. 'Beyond preventing fires and other hazards, giving that dust too much time to accumulate can negatively affect your home’s air quality, causing respiratory issues or making allergies worse.'

1. Invest in a proper radiator brush

A radiator brush is designed specifically for the job and is a great place to start. If you haven't before considered adding one to your essential cleaning tools, now might just be the time – they really can make light work of this tricky task.

'I use a long, flexible radiator brush. It's designed to reach the narrow spaces behind and between the radiator fins,' explains Galia Ivanova, owner at Cleaning Estimate. 'I gently insert the brush from the top or sides and sweep downward, pulling out dust and debris. I recall helping a client who was struggling with allergies, and this thorough cleaning significantly improved the air quality in their home.'

'We recommend using a soft bottle brush-style radiator brush,' agrees Nicola Morris, owner at Merry Maids. 'These can reach into all the hollows in the center of the radiator. This is more time-consuming than some methods, but you will feel reassured that you have gotten into all the inaccessible places.'

2. Put your vacuum cleaner to work

There are lots of unusual ways to use a vacuum cleaner around the home, other than for cleaning floors – and reaching behind your radiators is one of them.

Aside from regularly vacuuming the top, bottom and sides of your radiator with a small, nozzle attachment, remember not to miss the tops of the skirting boards directly beneath. If you are wondering how to choose a vacuum cleaner, be aware that some vacuums come with special, very narrow flexible attachments that can slide right down into each individual radiator fin.

3. Use a flat microfiber cleaning tool

As well as the radiator itself, you should also clean the wall directly behind as you are likely to find this covered in dust, cobwebs and general grime (as well fur if you are a pet owner).

'For regular cleaning, maybe once a month, vacuum the tops of the radiators and use a flat microfiber cleaning tool to quickly run along the back of the radiator by the wall,' advises Nicola Morris.

If you have the option, go in first with a damp microfiber cloth, available at Walmart, then follow this with a clean dry cloth for a fresh finish.

4. Give your hairdryer a new role

Your hairdryer can come in handy around the home for far more than just a glam blowout.

'An unusual trick I've tried involves using a hairdryer,' reveals Galia Ivanova. 'By placing a damp sheet or towel at the base of the radiator, I set the hairdryer on a cool setting and blow the dust out from behind. The damp cloth catches the dust, preventing it from circulating in the room.'

If you like the idea of this trick, be sure to keep the back of the hairdryer free from obstacles as this can prevent airflow leading to damage to the appliance.

Interestingly, some cleaning experts advise cleaning a toaster with a hair dryer too.

5. Attach a narrow nozzle to your steam cleaner

Never underestimate how useful a steam cleaner can be around the home, whether you use it to deep clean your floors or freshen up curtains and upholstery. And if you hadn't before considered using one to clean behind radiators, you really should.

'For particularly stubborn dirt, I've used a steam cleaner with a narrow nozzle attachment,' says Galia Ivanova. 'The steam loosens grime, making it easier to wipe away. Just be cautious with older radiators, as excessive moisture might cause rust.'

There are also certain things never to clean with a steam cleaner so make yourself aware of what these are.

FAQs

How often should you clean behind radiators?

Despite being hidden from daily view, it is still really important to clean behind your radiators from time to time – but how often is enough?

'You should clean behind your radiator at least once annually, but better yet, do a quick clean every season,' advises Andrew Bates, chief operating officer at Bates Electric Inc. 'If you smell hot dust when your radiators kick on at the first sign of winter, you’re overdue.'

Galia Ivanova suggests it is a good idea to clean a little more often than this.

'I recommend cleaning behind radiators at least twice a year – once before the heating season starts and once after it ends,' she says. 'To minimize dirt build-up, regular dusting and vacuuming of the surrounding area helps a lot.'

Galia also has some tricks to prevent dust. 'Consider installing radiator covers or screens that can reduce the amount of dust settling behind them,' she says.

'Every time you wipe your skirting boards, remember to run your cloth along the bottom of the radiator too, as they are a magnet for dust,' adds Nicola Morris. 'Don’t forget that if you have a furry friend sharing your home, you may need to step up the cleaning frequency, depending on how much they shed.'

Learn more about keeping your house clean if you have cats or dogs.

Ready to get your home sparkling for guests? Check out the overlooked areas to clean before hosting to get your house ready for visitors.