Radiators will not heat up homes unless a 10-minute task is done before switching them on

It is now getting a lot colder outside and many will be considering switching the heating on, but radiators will not work properly unless you clean them first. Dust in radiators trap heat and causes them to take longer to warm your home while working less efficiently.

Not only will this make your home freezing cold, but it will also increase your energy bills as the radiator has to work a lot harder to reach a higher temperature. However, John Lawless, an expert from Best Heating has shared cleaning out dust from a radiator is quick and easy as all you really need is a hair dryer.

John said: "Believe it or not, but a really simple way of getting the dust out from the inside and down the back of your radiator is to use a hairdryer."

Just point the nozzle of your hairdryer into the grooves at the top of your radiator and turn it up to the highest setting.

Hair dryers will blast a strong gust of air into a radiator, which helps loosen any debris so it falls onto the floor.

This helps get dust out of the hard-to-reach areas in a radiator such as between the fins. It is also the easiest way to clean them without having to wipe them down with a cloth.

The correct way to use a hairdryer to clear dust from a radiator

Make sure the hairdryer is set to a cool or low heat setting. If the air is too hot, then you can risk damaging the plastic parts on a radiator.

Also adjust the hairdryer, so the airflow is medium or low, as too much air can scatter the dust around a room and make it more difficult to clean up.

Then place a towel underneath the radiator. Hold the hair dryer a little away from the radiator grill top, and then switch it on.

The dust should collect on the towel. Simply throw is away, then wipe down the surface on a radiator with a sponge and some soapy water.

Your radiator should now be completely clear of dust, so you can enjoy a warm and cosy home this autumn.