It may not seem like it makes much difference, and it’s certainly not the most pleasant task, but cleaning your gutters is more important than you think. When gutters become clogged with leaves and debris, rainwater can overflow and cause costly damage to interior and exterior walls. Fortunately, there are a variety of tools and accessories that will allow you to clean your gutters quickly, safely and efficiently. Just remember, if you decide to use a ladder, be sure to follow all climbing safety protocols and never exceed the reach limit.
The best gutter cleaners
What to consider?
First, consider whether you want a tool that allows you to stay on the ground or requires you to climb a ladder to access the gutter. If you’re willing to safely carry and use a ladder, you’ll be able to take advantage of the low price of hand tools, such as shovels and hooks. If you want to stay safely on the ground, you’ll need to opt for an option that connects to a leaf blower or pressure washer and removes debris with air or water. These options are safer, but require the purchase of additional machinery if you don’t already have these tools. They can also create a lot of damage if you’re not careful.
Next, consider how much time you want to spend cleaning your gutters. If your priority is to get the job done as quickly as possible - and there’s nothing wrong with that - opt for a blower or pressure washer. If you have more time on your hands and don’t mind moving a ladder every few feet while you work, a shovel or hand hook might be a better choice. They also give you a better view of the gutter as you clean it, so you know when you’re really done.
How we chose
To compile this list of options, we drew on our own experience cleaning gutters as a child, a task we tackled with hand tools and pressure washer attachments. We also did extensive research online, noting the most popular and well-liked models and using customer reviews to compare them. Since homeowners have their own preferences for the type and cost of gutter cleaner, we did our best to include a wide range of options to choose from.
1. Home Gutter Cleaning Spoon and Scoop Tool
This pole-mounted “spoon” digs out and dislodges piled-up debris, while the hooked end allows you to pull and drag large clumps of leaves. Plus, because it’s used with a telescoping pole, you won’t have to get up and move your ladder every few feet. It also weighs just over half a pound, which will make it more comfortable to use and ensure that it requires less energy to maneuver while you work.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to provide your own extension cord, so if you don’t already have one, that will be an additional cost.
Buy: Home Gutter Cleaning Spoon and Scoop Tool
2. 8300 Getter Gutter Scoop
This scoop’s extra-long tongue allows you to easily reach the underside of gutter supports, and at less than $5, it’s cheaper than any other option on our list. The polypropylene construction also makes it durable, yet flexible enough to bend and conform to the shape of the gutter. Plus, the red color will be easy to find in a cluttered garage or tool shed.
You won’t be able to stay safely on the ground while using it, as you would with telescoping or pole-mounted tools, but if you’re comfortable on a ladder, this inexpensive option could be a brilliant choice.
3. Gutter Clean BZOBL50 Quick Connect
If you already have a leaf blower, consider this extra-long hose designed specifically for gutter cleaning. Its four pieces connect for a 12-foot reach (for a 5-foot-11-inch user), and they’re topped with a hooked tip to aim directly at the gutter and expel debris and water. Its flexibility also allows for comfortable aiming and control of the leaf blower while you hold it.
While we’ve found leaf blower attachments like this to be effective, they can spray the user with some of the gutter’s contents, so keep that in mind.
Buy: Gutter Clean BZOBL50 Quick Connect
4. Gutter Cleaner Attachment
This double-sided attachment allows your pressure washer to do all the work, using its nozzle to remove gutter debris with water at 3300 PSI. Its 7.5-foot quick-connect extension is simple to assemble and keeps you safely on the ground while you use it.
The included roll of plumber’s tape ensures that all connections are watertight and secure, and with a weight of 0.6 pounds, it should be relatively easy to hold over your head. If you prefer more control, you can use the attachment without the extension cord and use a ladder to access the gutters.
Buy: Gutter Cleaner Attachment
5. GutterSmop
For home appeal, the exterior of your gutters is just as important as the interior. This tool allows you to keep the exterior of your gutters clean and shiny, and can also be used on your exterior siding and trim.
The thick, caterpillar-like “noodles” hug the shapes, curves and edges of your gutters, quickly removing unsightly algae and oxidation. The threaded connection keeps both feet safely on the ground while you scrub, and a quick rinse with your garden hose finishes the job.
Buy: GutterSmop
6. Telescopic Pressure Washer Handle
This telescopic wand kit provides everything you need, aside from the machine itself, to easily reach your gutters, as well as other hard-to-reach areas of your home’s roof and soffits. It also includes five different corner nozzles, so you can choose the one that works best for your situation. The included support harness really caught our eye, and prevents your arms and shoulders from bearing the full weight of the wand.
It’s not the cheapest choice, but if you have a lot of outdoor cleaning planned, it may be worth the investment.
Buy: Telescopic Pressure Washer Handle
7. SBJ606E-GA-RED 4 in 1
If you don’t have a leaf blower, but want to take advantage of their convenient gutter cleaning capabilities, this Sun Joe kit might be a worthwhile purchase.
It includes the blower itself, as well as a hook extension that allows you to effectively blow your gutters up to 15 feet high. This versatile blower is also useful for other yard work and can be used as a vacuum to suck up piles of fallen leaves.
We’ve had great experiences with Sun Joe products, and have always found them to be well made and durable.
