Bathroom towel radiators are becoming increasingly common in homes. They allow you to dry your towels after a shower and are shaped so that you can fit multiple wet items on them at once without having to cram them all onto a standard radiator.
In small bathrooms, they can also help warm up the room so you’re not freezing cold in the winter when you strip off to take a shower or when you step onto the cold floor after waking up in the middle of the night for a wee.
However, because towel radiators spend so much time laden with wet towels and exposed to the steam from your shower or bath, they become prone to a problem that most radiators don’t face – rust.
These radiators are usually made out of metal, and while they are coated with a protective layer that’s meant to prevent rust, you will find that in the corners and crevices where the rungs meet the frame, small pockets of rust will form.
If you’ve got rust on your radiator, worry not. A cleaning expert on social media has come up with a genius method of removing the rust in seconds – using a common condiment and some kitchen foil.
A video on Instagram shows the cleaning influencer rubbing tomato ketchup on the rusted parts of the radiator. She then waited a couple of minutes before taking a scrunched up ball of kitchen foil and rubbing it over the ketchup.
She then used a clean cloth to wipe away the excess ketchup, and her radiator looked good as new once again.
Ketchup works to remove rust because it is acidic, which loosens the oxidised metal and allows it to flake off. This means that while ketchup does the trick well, you could swap it out for another other acidic product – like white vinegar or lemon juice – if you didn’t want to waste a good bottle of Heinz on your radiator.
Commenters on the post were blown away by the trick. Many said they had no idea they could use ketchup to remove rust, and other said they would be giving it a go as soon as possible.
One person said: “Definitely going to try this, thank you!”
Another added: “Brilliant idea! Will give this a go.”
As always when you’re using a product for something other than it’s intended purpose, it’s advised to just use it on a small area first to avoid causing damage.
How to clean rust from radiators
1. Turn off the radiator and let it cool
Make sure the radiator is completely cool before you start cleaning.
2. Wipe down the surface
Use a damp cloth to remove dust and loose debris.
3. Apply a rust remover solution
- Vinegar or lemon juice: Soak a cloth or sponge in white vinegar or lemon juice and apply it to the rusty areas. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes to break down the rust.
- Baking soda paste (optional): Mix baking soda with a little water to make a paste. Apply this to the rust and let it sit for 15–20 minutes.
4. Gently scrub the rust
- Use fine steel wool or a non-scratch scouring pad to gently scrub the rusted spots. Be careful not to scratch the chrome or painted surface.
- For stubborn spots, repeat the vinegar/lemon juice or baking soda application and scrub again.
5. Rinse and clean
Wipe the area with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue. Then, dry thoroughly with a towel.
6. Prevent future rust
- Keep the radiator dry and avoid hanging wet towels for long periods.
- Regularly clean and dry the radiator.
- If you notice chips in the paint or chrome, repair them promptly.