Cleaning fans have shared a radiator cleaning hack that involves pouring hot water down the middle. A bucket or towel is placed underneath to catch the water.
Knowing how to clean your radiator is a must to prevent a build-up of dust. We asked experts if this hot water radiator cleaning hack is one to avoid.
Image credit: The Radiator Company
On Facebook group Mrs Hinch cleaning tips and tricks, one cleaning fan shared a before and after shot of her radiator. ‘Thank you to whoever suggested cleaning radiators with hot water,’ she writes.
‘We live in a student house and our allergies have been awful since we’ve been using the heating a lot.’ We asked UK Radiators whether it’s safe to clean your radiator’s fins with hot water.
The director, Daniel Nezhad says this would only be safe on a wet system, and should not be tried on anything electric or dual fuel. ‘Radiators are metal and designed to handle hot water, so it is safe – you won’t damage it or impair its functionality,’ Daniel explains.
Image credit: Future PLC/ David Parmiter
‘BUT, not all paint is designed to take boiling water directly, so there is a risk it could strip or damage the surface coating.’ The UK Radiators director also says surface damage caused by doing this could be considered misuse, depending on your manufacturer’s warranty terms.
Therefore, warm water would be preferable to water straight from the kettle. Daniel also says you should avoid using any detergents whatsoever. Even light detergents can react with paint if not properly removed.
You’d also need to be very careful of any plug sockets, your own safety, and your flooring. Sounding a little more trouble than it’s worth? We think so.
Image credit: The Radiator Company
Andrew Collinge, heating product manager at BestHeating agrees with Daniel that this hot water radiator cleaning hack is safe to try. He says clearing out dust may even mean you save money on your heating bills.
Speaking of which, this TikTok tin foil radiator hack might help keep the coldest room in your house warm. Andrew’s word of warning is to make sure the radiators are turned off before trying it.
Personally, we think using a long-handled radiator brush, £9.99 at Amazon, is a much safer bet. If you’re concerned about your heating bills, make sure you know how to bleed a radiator to keep them running efficiently.
Would you try this hack?
The post We ask experts if this hot water radiator cleaning hack is safe appeared first on Ideal Home.
It’s the cause of much debate up and down the country – is it right to add modern extensions to traditional properties?
If done sympathetically, we think yes. Absolutely. Need an example of a well-executed ‘old meets new’ project? Then take a look at this traditional Victorian house with modern extension.
Image credit: David Barbour
When they bought their five-bedroom Victorian villa in 2017, this couple set out to create their traditional meets contemporary home. They had decided to leave London after living and working there for seven years, choosing to return to the owner’s hometown of Stirling in Scotland. ‘We yearned for a less busy lifestyle, less commuting and more space for our growing family,’ she says.
Image credit: David Barbour
The couple were lucky enough to buy a handsome, Scottish category C listed, Victorian semi-detached villa. The property is located in a conservation area of the city. There was an existing extension, but was dated and tired looking. It lacked a sense of style to help blend into the existing property. The couple decided to replace it with a new kitchen extension.
The house itself had been in the same family for more than a century and was in dire need of modernisation. ‘The layout of the main house was great, but the two-storey extension just didn’t work. We wanted to restore the house sympathetically but also wanted a modern, large space for our kitchen to suit our family. We found local architecture practice Paper Igloo whose style was exactly what we wanted.’
Image credit: David Barbour
Following a fairly straightforward planning process, the two-staged build began. The builders set to work demolishing the two-storey extension. They replaced it with a new zinc-clad, single-storey extension. It’s constructed in an energy-efficient SIPS frame with high-performance windows and doors. It also boasts an eco-friendly green roof system.
The main house also underwent a major upgrade and refurb with new heating, replacement windows, insulation and decoration.
Image credit: David Barbour
The new glazed link not only provides a clear delineation between the ‘old’ and ‘new’ house, it also brings daylight into a new utility area.
‘Although we weren’t hands-on with DIY,’ explains the owner, ‘we were in terms of project management and purchasing of items. All the fixtures and fittings, tiles, flooring, radiators and glazing were sourced by us.’
Image credit: David Barbour
The new extension features a bright, spacious open-plan kitchen space opening onto the garden. A large rooflight adds further daylight and maximises sunlight in the space in summer.
Image credit: David Barbour
‘There honestly isn’t a room in this house that hasn’t been thought through ten times over! We get a lot of enjoyment from all of the rooms. But the extension is very much the heart of this family home every day. I’ll never tire of this space and in particular the glazed link between the revealed sandstone wall and extension which really allows you to appreciate the beauty of the original house.’
‘It had always been our dream to fully renovate a property. We now have a fantastic space in which we’ll enjoy many memories for years to come.’
Image credit: David Barbour
Martin McCrae, lead architectural designer at Paper Igloo (paperigloo.com) shares his advice on what you need to know about zinc cladding.
Original feature by Caroline Ednie
The post Traditional Victorian house with modern extension – this ‘old meets new’ property is a must see appeared first on Ideal Home.
