How to clean radiators: hot topics and practical guides on the Internet
Recently, with the arrival of high temperatures in summer, radiator cleaning has become one of the hot topics on the Internet. Whether it is a household appliance radiator, a computer CPU radiator, or a car radiator, regular cleaning can effectively improve the performance of the equipment and extend its service life. This article will combine the hot discussions in the past 10 days to provide you with a structured cleaning guide.
1. Statistics of popular radiator cleaning related topics across the entire network (last 10 days)

| Platform | Hot search keywords | Number of discussions (10,000) |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning radiator cleaning | 12.5 | |
| Douyin | DIY computer radiator cleaning | 8.3 |
| Baidu | Car water tank radiator cleaning | 6.7 |
| Zhihu | Radiator cleaning misunderstandings | 4.2 |
2. Cleaning methods for different types of radiators
1. Household air conditioner radiator cleaning
Steps: ① Remove the casing after power off ② Use a soft brush to remove dust on the surface ③ Spray special detergent and let it sit for 10 minutes ④ Rinse with clean water (pay attention to waterproofing) ⑤ Dry and assemble.
Hot Reminder: Weibo user @家电综合师 shared that "90% of air conditioner failures are caused by dust accumulation in the radiator." It is recommended to clean the filter once a month and deep clean the heat sink every year.
2. Computer radiator cleaning
| components | cleaning tools | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| CPU cooling fan | Compressed air tank, alcohol swabs | Avoid force deformation of fan blades |
| cooling fins | Fine brush, vacuum cleaner | Maintain fin spacing without deformation |
3. Car radiator cleaning
A popular Douyin video shows: ① Wait for the engine to cool down ② Remove the front grille ③ Use a high-pressure water gun at a 45° angle to rinse (to avoid damaging the fins) ④ Check the coolant level. Note: Deep blockage requires professional chemical cleaning.
3. Cleaning misunderstandings that are hotly discussed across the Internet
Organized based on Zhihu’s popular questions and answers:
× Use toothpicks and other sharp objects to clean the heat sink (easy to cause deformation)
× Rinse unplugged electronic equipment directly with water
× Use strong acid and alkali cleaners (corrodes metal parts)
√ It is recommended to use a neutral detergent + soft brush combination
4. Popularity ranking of cleaning tools
| Tool name | E-commerce platform monthly sales | Average price (yuan) |
|---|---|---|
| Special cleaner for radiator | 156,000+ | 25-50 |
| Compressed air dust tank | 89,000+ | 15-30 |
| Multifunctional cleaning brush set | 63,000+ | 10-20 |
5. Professional suggestions and precautions
1. Safety first: be sure to turn off the power/turn off the engine before all cleaning operations. When cleaning the car, wait until the engine has completely cooled down.
2. Frequency recommendations: Clean once every 3-6 months in normal environments. Increase the frequency appropriately in dusty environments.
3. Maintenance tips: Add a small amount of lubricating oil to the fan bearings after cleaning (applicable to computers/home appliances)
4. Effect detection: After cleaning, the operating temperature of the equipment should drop by 5-15°C. If there is no improvement, other faults may exist.
Through the above structured data and method guidance, you can easily deal with the cleaning needs of various types of radiators. Regular maintenance can not only improve heat dissipation efficiency, but also reduce equipment energy consumption and extend service life. It is recommended to collect this article and share it with more people who need it!
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