6 Ways to Clean Gutters From the Ground

Cleaning gutters from the ground (not standing on a ladder or laying atop your roof) is the safest way to remove the muck that can cause clogs and invite pests. In this guide, I’ll share six effective methods I’ve learned so you can safely clean your gutters from the ground without risking injury from a fall.

I helped my grandfather clean his gutters, and it was always a messy, time-consuming job. If you want to avoid the mess and any risk of injury, hire a gutter cleaning pro.

But if you want to tackle this dirty job yourself once or twice a year, I’ll show you how to clean your gutters while keeping both feet on the ground.

1. Garden Hose With Extension Pole

Difficulty: Beginner Cost: $75 to $220 Estimated Time: 1-3 hours

When I helped my grandpa clean our gutters, our go-to method was a garden hose on an extension pole. It’s simple and effective. Plus, a garden hose and extension pole are items almost everyone already has at home. 

However, using a garden hose to clean your gutters is a messy job. I recommend wearing eye protection and a rain jacket if you don’t want to get wet.

My Tip: Always aim water away from your home’s foundation to avoid pooling and potential water damage. 

What you’ll need: 

• Garden hose
• Telescopic hose extension
• Eye protection
• Rain jacket (to stay dry)

How to do it: 

1. Attach your garden hose to the extension pole.
2. Stand near the section of the gutter you want to clean. 
3. Ensure the hose is long enough to reach the gutters without stretching.
4. Turn on the water and aim the stream into the gutter.
5. Rinse away any leftover debris and confirm that water flows freely through the downspout.

Do you have second-story gutters? Learn how to clean these gutters in this guide: Ways to Clean Second-Story Gutters.

2. Wet/Dry Vacuum Extension

Difficulty: Beginner Cost: $100 to $340 Estimated Time: 1-3 hours

You can repurpose your wet/dry vac into a gutter cleaning machine with a gutter vacuum extension kit. This tool can clear your gutters in one of two ways: blowing or suctioning. It’s also a great option if you want to avoid using water.

My Tip: Use this method if you have minimal debris in your gutters, such as dried leaves or acorns. Other methods, such as a hose or pressure washer, are best for stuck-on gunk.

What you’ll need:

• Wet/dry vacuum 
• Wet/dry vacuum extension kit
• Outdoor extension cord (optional)
• Eye protection

How to do it: 

1. Assemble your wet/dry vacuum extension tube, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Assembly steps may vary by model.
2. Attach the extension tube to your wet/dry vacuum. Ensure the vacuum is rated for outdoor use and that its cord can easily reach your gutters.
3. Stand near the section of the gutter you want to clean.
4. Turn on the vacuum and use the extension tube to reach the end of the gutter.
5. Move the tube along the length of the gutter from ground level, letting the vacuum suction remove debris.
6. Turn off the vacuum and detach the extension tube when finished.

3. Leaf Blower Extension

Difficulty: Beginner Cost: $100 to $425 Estimated Time: 1-3 hours

Using a leaf blower to clean your gutters from the ground is a convenient method that avoids ladders and water. If you already own a leaf blower, extension kits can easily be found online or at local home improvement stores. Most extension kits reach 12 or more feet, so you can easily clean your gutters from the ground.

My Tip: I recommend this method to remove dry leaves, twigs, and other lightweight debris.

What you’ll need: 

• Leaf blower
• Gutter cleaning extension kit 
• Ear protection
• Safety glasses

How to do it: 

1. Secure the gutter cleaning extension tubes to your leaf blower according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Turn on the leaf blower and position it at the end of the gutter system.
3. Move the leaf blower along the gutter, using the air stream to blow out debris.
4. Continue blowing along the length of the gutter until all debris is removed.
5. Turn off the leaf blower and detach the extension tubes when you’re done.

4. Pressure Washer With Gutter-Cleaning Tool

Difficulty: Beginner Cost: $170 to $600 Estimated Time: 1-3 hours

A pressure washer connected to a telescopic cleaning wand blasts out all debris, leaving the gutters spotless in a jiffy. The wand features a “U” shape at the end that perfectly forms around your gutter system.

While pressure washers are quick and effective, they’re also powerful and can be dangerous if not handled properly. Keep the high-powered stream of water away from people and pets, and never aim it at yourself.

My Tip: Use this method if you have tough-to-remove gutter stains and stuck-on debris.

What you’ll need: 

• Pressure washer
• Telescopic cleaning wand with U-shaped attachment
• Safety glasses

How to do it: 

1. Connect the wand to your power washer.
2. Add the U-shaped gutter cleaning attachment to the wand, and top that off with a spray nozzle.
3. Turn the power washer on. Every model varies, so refer to your device’s instructions.
4. Move the power washer back and forth within your gutters, and watch as it blasts away all the gunk that’s collected in your gutters over time. 

5. Extension Brush

Difficulty: Moderate Cost: $30 to $100 Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

Attached to a pole, the extension brush uses soft bristles to scrub away dirt and leaves without scratching the gutters. This tool was a lifesaver for those tougher spots. Just be thorough and check for any remaining buildup.

Note: Wielding the pressure washer from the ground can make you sore if you have a large or lengthy gutter system. I recommend taking plenty of breaks if you become tired so you can clean your gutters thoroughly.

My Tip: Use this method in tandem with a garden hose if you don’t have a pressure washer. A garden hose will remove most of the buildup, but adding the extension brush will make your gutters even cleaner.

What you’ll need: 

• Gutter cleaning extension brush
• Eye protection

Step-by-step instructions: 

1. Start near a downspout or at the end of your gutter system.
2. Use the extension brush to reach up and sweep away dirt, leaves, and debris from the gutter.
3. Brush debris toward an ending without a downspout in a smooth, sweeping motion. Do not push debris into your downspout, or else it will cause clogs.
4. Continue along the length of the gutter system, removing as much buildup as possible for a clean finish. You may need to use gutter tongs or a leaf blower to remove excess debris.

6. Gutter Cleaning Tongs on a Pole

Difficulty: Moderate Cost: $60 to $100 Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

Gutter tongs are grabbers affixed to a long pole that you squeeze to pick up and remove debris from your gutters. These tongs are great for large debris, such as sticks, that you can easily grab. For stuck-on gunk, small leaves, and pine needles, you’ll want to use a power washer, leaf blower, or wet/dry vacuum.

My Tip: I noticed that gutter tongs get heavy pretty quickly, especially when you’re working on a large or high gutter system. While it’s effective, be prepared for some muscle soreness during longer cleaning sessions.

What you’ll need:

• Gutter cleaning tongs
• Gutter cleaning extension pole
• Eye protection

Step-by-step instructions: 

1. Affix your tongs to the top of the extension pole. Some tongs come already attached, so you can skip to the next step .
2. Start near a downspout or at the end of your gutter system.
3. Use the tongs to reach into the gutter and grab debris. Make sure the tongs are horizontal with your gutters, not perpendicular.
4. Let the debris fall to the ground by releasing the tongs.
5. Move along the length of the gutter, repeating the process to remove all debris.

FAQ About Gutter Cleaning

Why is cleaning gutters important?

Keeping your gutters clean helps prevent water damage, discourages pests, and protects your roof and gutter system from unnecessary wear and tear. Regular maintenance can save you costly problems in the future. 

For more on the benefits of gutters (and thus, keeping them clean), read our guide: Are Gutters Necessary on Your House?

How often should you clean your gutters?

It’s smart to clean your gutters at least twice a year, but depending on your specific circumstances, you may need to do it more often. If you notice any signs of gutter clogging or damage, don’t hesitate to clean them out.

I recommend cleaning your gutters in the fall and spring. Otherwise, debris, such as twigs, leaves, acorns, and pine needles, can clog your gutters and lead to water damage or attract pests. 

See Related:
— How Often You Should Clean Your Gutters
— The Best Time of Year to Clean Your Gutters.

Is it safe to clean gutters from the ground?

It’s safe to clean gutters from the ground as long as you take the proper precautions. Wear waterproof shoes, gloves, and eye protection as needed, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions if you’re using any equipment.

Need to use a ladder while cleaning your gutters? Learn how to do it safely with our guide: How to Clean Gutters Safely Using a Ladder.

Find a Gutter Cleaning Pro Near You

If you’re afraid of using a ladder, it’s important to clean your gutters from the ground. While I prefer using a garden hose, I recommend trying the other methods to see which one works best for you.

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Main Image Credit: J. A. / Adobe Stock Free / License