Are you neglecting your radiator or towel dryer in your bathroom cleaning routine?
If you’re focused on thoroughly cleaning your toilet, sink , and shower, it’s time to add your radiator or towel rail to your list. These items are often ignored, but they are some of the dirtiest places in the bathroom.
Towel rails: One of the dirtiest elements in the bathroom
According to a survey*, 69% of Britons feel more aware of their home cleanliness and personal hygiene since the Covid-19 pandemic. However, radiators and towel rails are often left out of cleaning routines.
Although 24% of people clean their radiator weekly and 29% clean their towel rails just as often, we found that 6 out of 10 bathroom heaters, including towel rails, were actually dirty.
Using surface hygiene swabs, we tested 5 bathroom items for bacteria and biological contamination. Here are the results:
Experiment Results: How dirty are the bathroom items?
| Element | Green (Clean) | Light Purple (Dirty) | Dark Purple (Very Dirty) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Towel rail/radiator | 30% | 10% | 60% |
| Toilet seat | 20% | 70% | 10% |
| Showerhead | 50% | 40% | 0% |
| Sink faucets | 60% | 40% | 0% |
| Sink drain | 30% | 20% | 50% |
Main conclusion:
- The dirtiest items were the towel rails/radiators, followed by the toilet seat and sink drain.
- The cleanest items were the sink faucets and the shower head.
Why do towel dryers get so dirty?
The bathroom is a damp and high-use space, where water splashes and wet towels are left on towel rails. This makes towel dryers an ideal place for dirt and bacteria to accumulate. To avoid contamination, we recommend cleaning your radiator or towel dryer at least once a week.
How to thoroughly clean your radiator or towel dryer
- Turn it off.
Safety first. Make sure the heater is turned off and dry it completely at the end of the process to avoid electrical hazards. - Remove dirt with a soft cloth or brush.
Over time, dust and dirt accumulate in the heater. Clean them before applying any cleaning solution. - Apply a cleaning solution and wipe clean.
Most stains are removed with a little effort. For watermarks, use a glass cleaner. Use warm water with neutral soap or a non-abrasive spray so as not to damage the surface. - Use a toothbrush for difficult areas.
To reach the trickiest corners, use an old toothbrush with soft bristles. - Dry and polish with a microfiber cloth.
Dry the appliance completely and, if it has a chrome or metallic finish, polish in circular motions using a soft cloth.
Repeat this process at least once a week.
The most frequently cleaned bathroom items
| Rank | Element | Cleaning frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toilet seat | 33% clean it daily (the most cleaned). |
| 2 | Sink | 29% clean it daily. |
| 3 | Toilet bowl | 28% clean it daily. |
| 4 | Bathroom floor | 37% clean it weekly. |
| 5 | Towels | 35% clean them weekly, 15% daily. |
| 6 | Bath mats | 34% wash them weekly, 14% every 2-3 weeks. |
| 7 | Shower area | 33% clean it weekly. |
| 8 | Mirror | 2% clean it weekly, 14% daily. |
| 9 | Sill | 32% clean them weekly, 12% every 2-3 days. |
| 10 | Faucets | 32% clean them weekly. |
| 11 | Bathtub | 30% clean it weekly. |
| 12 | Sink drain | 30% cleans it weekly. |
| 13 | Showerhead | 29% clean it weekly. |
| 14 | towel rail | 29% clean it weekly, 11% monthly, 9% daily. |
| 15 | Tiles/Walls | 28% clean them weekly. |
| 16 | Door handles | 26% clean them weekly, 13% daily, 6% never. |
| 17 | Radiator | 24% clean it weekly, 17% monthly, 7% never, 6% daily. |
| 18 | Bathroom cabinets | 18% clean them weekly, 15% monthly. |
| 19 | Blinds | 15% clean them weekly, 13% monthly. |
Summary:
Bathrooms, due to their constant humidity, are an environment conducive to dirt and bacteria. Including towel dryers and radiators in your cleaning routine will not only improve hygiene, but will ensure a cleaner and healthier environment.
