To ensure that your baseboard radiators are working the way they’re supposed to, you should aim to clean them at least twice a year. Give them a good vacuuming at the start of the heating season (usually around late September or October) and again in early spring before you shut them off for the warmer months, checking them as needed in the meantime. Keeping the unit clear of dust will allow it to heat your home more efficiently.  If you have pets that shed or live in a place with a high amount of dust buildup, you might want to clean your radiator units more frequently. Radiators that are well-maintained aren't forced to use as much energy, which means you’ll save money heating your home. Baseboard radiators work by pulling cold air up from floor level and filtering it through the heated fins, which quickly warm the air and circulate it back through the room. Help the process along by keeping all drapes, furniture and other belongings out of the way of the radiator. The area around the top and bottom of the unit should be kept clear so that air can pass through without difficulty. Be sure to keep the vents at the top of the radiator’s cover open to let warm air escape. Keep your living space free of dust, especially around the baseboards and any furniture that happens to be close to your radiator. Dust from the surrounding environment can get sucked into the radiator as it draws in cool air from the room, and will quickly accumulate around the fins and other sensitive parts of the unit's interior. Frequent dusting is not just a good habit to get into, it can extend the life of your baseboard radiator and cut down on the number of tedious cleanings it requires.  Dust before your clean your radiator so that the loose particles floating around the room don't get pulled into the unit's air ducts. Don't just focus on visible dust. Be sure to vacuum your carpet, drapes and any other surface that might be harboring unseen dust. Over time, the fins along your radiator pipes, or the pipes themselves, may take a beating and need to be changed out. Call your heating and air specialist and ask for an estimate for the installation of new pipes or fins if you notice that yours are bent, ruptured or otherwise damaged. The fins do most of the work of putting off the heat generated by the hot water pipes, so it’s important that they stay in good working order.  Unless you’re experienced in radiator repair, it’s not recommended that you try to replace fin-tubing yourself. The metal fins increase the surface area used to conduct heat from the pipes, warming the room at a much faster rate.
Clean your baseboard radiators regularly. Make sure the unit is unobstructed. Dust around your home. Replace damaged or broken parts.