How to Make 4 Homemade Gutter Cleaning Solutions
You’ve got a lot of maintenance tasks around your house, and keeping the gutters cleaned out can be one of the messier ones. Most of us don’t love scrubbing the muck out of our gutters.
Whether or not you have gutter guards, the outside of your gutters can get pretty grimy. And if you don’t have gutter guards installed, the clogs and debris are building up inside your gutters over time.
While you can clean out your gutters with plain water, using a cleaning solution can make the process go more quickly and remove stains. Keep reading, and we’ll review some homemade gutter-cleaning solutions you might want to try. All of these are made with products you likely have around the house anyway, so there’s no need to go out and buy cleaning products.
In this article:
- Some of the Best Homemade Gutter Cleaning Solutions
- More Information on Cleaning Out Gutters
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the Best Homemade Gutter Cleaning Solutions
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— LeafFilter Gutter Protection (@LeafFilter) July 13, 2023
Homemade gutter-cleaning solutions are not only cost-effective but also eco-friendly. Here are a few options to consider.
Vinegar and Water Gutter Cleaning Solution
Mix equal parts vinegar and warm water and scrub your gutters. Vinegar is good for cutting through grease and grime, and it can also keep mildew at bay.
Dishwashing Liquid and Water Gutter Cleaning Solution
Mix a bit of dish liquid (the kind you’d use to hand-wash dishes, not the kind you’d put in your dishwasher!) in a container of warm water and use a rag to scrub your gutters.
Dish soap is even better than vinegar at cutting grease. In fact, you can even add dish soap to the vinegar and water mixture described above for extra cleaning power.
Baking Soda and Water Gutter Cleaning Solution
If you have stains on the inside or outside of your gutters, making a paste of baking soda and water will help scour them off.
This is lightly abrasive, so don’t scrub too hard. Just rub firmly enough to remove any stains.
Lemon Juice and Salt Gutter Cleaning Solution
This is a more abrasive cleaner. It’s helpful to dissolve mineral deposits and remove stains. Remember not to scrub too hard, as you don’t want to wear away any paint or cause light spots on gutters that aren’t white.
All of these gutter-cleaning solutions are environmentally friendly; if you use dish liquid, be sure to choose one that’s biodegradable.
Most of these will work on stains, too. You can let the lemon juice or vinegar mixtures sit on the surface for a bit of time to help break up mineral deposits and even reduce rust. After it’s sat for a few hours, scrub the solution off with a brush or sponge or simply rinse with a hose.
If your homemade solutions aren’t working or if you’d prefer to simply buy a solution, look for commercial gutter cleaners. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and take care to dispose of any leftover product properly.
More Information on Cleaning Out Your Gutters
If your gutters are protected with our award-winning LeafFilter gutter guards, you won’t need to worry about cleaning them out, thanks to our clog-free guarantee. We encourage you to consider our permanent solution to clogged gutters!
If you don’t have our patented micromesh gutter guards, we recommend cleaning out your gutters at least twice per year: in the spring and fall. Depending on the number of trees around your home, you may need to clean them out more often. Also, if there’s been a storm, it’s important to check for clogs inside the gutters and clean them out.
There are some ways to clean out your gutters by standing on the ground. If you need to use a ladder to reach inside your gutters, we recommend calling a professional to avoid potential safety risks.
From the ground, you can use a variety of tools, including a leaf blower attachment or garden hose attachment, to run air or water through the gutters. This can break up and dislodge any clogs inside the gutters or downspouts. Then, use your homemade cleaning solution to remove grime and stains.
If you want to use a ladder and you feel confident you’ve taken the right safety precautions, you can use a brush to scrub your gutters by hand. You’ll also need to use a hose, leaf blower, or vacuum to physically remove any clogs.
Final Thoughts
While you can always make your own gutter cleaning solutions, the best long-term solution is to install gutter guards. LeafFilter’s patented micromesh technology blocks even the smallest debris (including pollen), so you won’t have to worry about cleaning out your gutters again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What takes green or black algae off gutters?
If you have mold or algae growing on your gutters, you can use vinegar to remove it. For example, you can make a solution with water or apply straight vinegar to small areas if needed. You could also try a small amount of heavily diluted bleach, but this isn’t environmentally friendly and not recommended for frequent or widespread use.
How do you make old gutters look new?
First, it’s important to determine whether your gutters need to be replaced. If they have rust holes, if they’re sagging, or if they’ve been damaged in a storm, consider replacing them rather than trying to repair or improve them. Otherwise, cleaning them with either a homemade or commercial cleaning solution should help them look newer.
How do I clean my gutters without a ladder?
We have a guide on that! Check out this article for helpful info. Some of the methods covered include the leaf blower method, the pressure washer method, and the wet/dry vac method.
