Give the radiator several minutes to cool down before you open it up. Don’t attempt to clean the radiator until you’re certain it’s stopped circulating hot water.
It’s a good idea to keep your furniture dusted to prevent your baseboard radiators from getting so dirty in the future.
Hold your hand a safe distance away from the pipes inside the radiator. This will help you determine whether it’s too hot to work on. One option is to place the radiator cover on the floor under the unit to collect whatever debris is shaken loose while cleaning. Just be sure to clean the cover separately before you put it back on.
Most of the time, dust simply accumulates around the outer surface of the fins, meaning they just need a quick vacuuming.
You may be able to dust your unit without the use of a brush attachment (or with another device like a hand vacuum), but it will take longer and won’t be as thorough.
Brush around the fins in both directions, across the tops and down the sides. If your unit is particularly dirty, wipe away cobwebs, dust bunnies and clumps of hair with a dry cloth or paper towel before vacuuming. [8] X Research source
Cleaning between the fins can be a tedious process, but it’s worth it to save yourself the expense of a poorly-running radiator. Some people claim to have had success loosening stubborn buildup with a spray bottle of water. This is not recommended, as it may cause rust or damage your unit. [10] X Research source
This step will be especially important if you used your radiator cover to catch stray debris. Treat rusted metal covers with a rust-remover solution before replacing them.
If you have pets that shed or live in a place with a high amount of dust buildup, you might want to clean your radiator units more frequently. Radiators that are well-maintained aren’t forced to use as much energy, which means you’ll save money heating your home.
Be sure to keep the vents at the top of the radiator’s cover open to let warm air escape.
Dust before your clean your radiator so that the loose particles floating around the room don’t get pulled into the unit’s air ducts. Don’t just focus on visible dust. Be sure to vacuum your carpet, drapes and any other surface that might be harboring unseen dust.
Unless you’re experienced in radiator repair, it’s not recommended that you try to replace fin-tubing yourself. The metal fins increase the surface area used to conduct heat from the pipes, warming the room at a much faster rate.
