The 9 Best Gutter Cleaners of 2023

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You might not give much thought to your home’s rain gutters, but neglecting to clean them regularly can lead to disastrous results. Lindsey Egner, owner of Carolina Power Wash, which specializes in gutter cleaning and power washing around homes and commercial properties, says, “If not cleaned regularly, the gutter system will become heavy with leaves and debris, and the weight can cause the system to pull away from the home. Plus, clogged gutters will allow rainwater to spill over directly onto your foundation or even back into the house. We have had several emergency calls to remove gutter debris because of water entering a home. We recommend cleaning your gutters two times a year—once in the spring before the leaves fall to clean any debris that has collected over the past six months, and then again in late autumn after all the leaves have fallen.”

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Using the right gutter cleaners and tools makes this admittedly laborious job a little easier, as well as faster. Egner advises, “Wear a good pair of thick gloves and scoop the debris into a bucket or thick trash bag. Another easy way to clean gutters is to blow them out with a leaf blower; however, this does create a mess. Make sure to check your downspouts, too! Most of the clogs we find are in the downspout of the gutter system, which often gets overlooked.”

We researched the best gutter cleaners of various types, evaluating them on ease of use, effectiveness, versatility, and overall value.

Best Overall

Gutter Tool Gutter Cleaning Spoon and Scoop

Gutter Tool

VIEW ON AMAZONVIEW ON WALMART

What We Like

• Sturdy construction
• Effectively loosens and pulls debris
• Attaches to most extension poles

What We Don’t Like

• Not for use from the ground

It’s not complicated, but it gets the job done. This heavy-duty plastic tool attaches to any universal extension pole (not included), so you can determine exactly how far it reaches. You’ll need to stand on a ladder to use it most effectively, however, so be sure to position your ladder securely and then get to work cleaning those grungy gutters. Start by using the “spoon” to pull the leaves and other debris towards you; as you mound up the debris, you can toss it down to the ground below onto a waiting tarp or onto the lawn for later cleanup. Switch to the hooked side for reaching into tighter corners; you can also use the hook to hang the tool from your ladder when you need to free up your hands.

While you might need to follow the use of this handy tool with a hose to remove wet residue, the gutter tool itself does a great job of scraping away the buildup of leaves and other organic debris and greatly reduces the amount of times you need to reposition your ladder by pulling gutter gunk to where you can easily reach it. You can also use the tool to loosen and remove debris that’s gathered around skylights, chimneys, or other rooftop nooks and crannies.

Price at time of publish: $30

_{Type: Scoop | Dimensions: 2.75 x 8.75 x 16 inches | Weight: 9.6 ounces}

Best Scraper

Gutter Getter Gutter Rake

Gutter Getter

VIEW ON AMAZONVIEW ON ZORO.COM

What We Like

• Reaches around and underneath gutter supports
• Affordable option
• Unique blade shape

What We Don’t Like

• Not for use from the ground
• Best for gutters with flat bottoms

One of the frustrations of cleaning out rain gutters is that the debris can become caught under and around the gutter supports, and many cleaning tools don’t easily fit beneath those support brackets. However, this sturdy tool from Gutter Getter has a slightly curved neck and a slim shape that makes it much easier to work around gutter hangers or other obstacles. Plus, the tool has a somewhat pointed front that dislodges stuck clots of leaves and other muck, and straight edges that make it easier to scrape against the sides and bottom of gutters with flat bottoms to drag the debris towards you for easy removal. It’s a bit trickier with gutters that have curved bottoms, however.

You can attach the tool to any standard extension pole, although it’s best to choose a light one to make wielding the gutter cleaner easier while perched atop a ladder. A small hook lets you hang the gutter cleaner from your ladder when you need to free your hands to remove the gathered piles of grunge. While cleaning gutters is never going to be the highlight of your weekend, this tool can make the job a little faster and easier.

Price at time of publish: $15

_{Type: Scraper/rake | Dimensions: 16.5 x 3 x 2 inches | Weight: 4 ounces}

Best Pressure Washer Attachment

Ridge Washer Pressure Washer Gutter Cleaner Attachment

Ridge Washer

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What We Like

• Allows you to clean gutters from the ground
• Works with most brands of pressure washers
• Easy to use

What We Don’t Like

• Can be messy

Harness the power of your pressure washer and keep your feet securely on the ground with this gutter-blasting attachment that works with just about any pressure washer with an extension wand that has a 1/4-inch connector. If you don’t already have an extension wand for your pressure washer, Ridge Washer sells one separately, although there are many other brands available. Just hook the attachment to the extension wand, maneuver it so that the two turbo nozzles are positioned down inside the gutter, and turn on your pressure washer. The attachment can be used with pressure up to 3,300 psi.

Yes, you are probably going to get wet, and yes, depending on the intensity of the water pressure setting, leaves, and gutter grunge might blast out onto all the surfaces around and beneath the rain gutters. But the tool will effectively clear out most fallen leaves and other muck from your gutters, and it’s much easier to hose away or rake up the debris once it’s on the ground rather than overhead. It can also be used for cleaning in other confined areas where a dual-ended spray of water might be useful, such as between fence slats or underneath decks.

Price at time of publish: $38

_{Type: Pressure washer attachment | Dimensions: 8 x 3 x 1 inches | Weight: 10.6 ounces}

Best Scoop

Amerimax Home Products Gutter Getter Scoop

Amerimax Home Products

VIEW ON AMAZONVIEW ON HOME DEPOTVIEW ON LOWE’S

What We Like

• Very inexpensive
• Good design for lifting away debris
• Made of durable polypropylene

What We Don’t Like

• Not threaded for use with an extension pole

For less than the price of a fancy coffee drink, you can get this simple but effective heavy-duty plastic scoop that makes quick work of lifting fallen leaves and pine needles, acorns, and other organic debris out of your rain gutter and into your waiting trash can or tarp spread out below. You’ll need to work from a ladder to use the scoop, so be sure to position the ladder where you can easily and safely reach the rain gutters, and be sure to reposition the ladder as needed so you don’t have to stretch or bend excessively.

The scoop is just flexible enough to bend very slightly to fit within your gutter so you can scrape along the bottom and the sides with ease. The front of the scoop is extended to reach below the gutter hangers, and the handle is lifted so you won’t scrape your knuckles as you work. While it’s a great gutter-cleaning tool, you can use it around the garden to spread fertilizer, soil amendments, or even salt on icy sidewalks in the winter.

Price at time of publish: $4

_{Type: Scoop | Dimensions: 16.5 x 3.13 x 4 inches | Weight: 3.5 ounces}

Best Brush

Gutterglove Gutter Guard Brush

Gutterglove

VIEW ON AMAZONVIEW ON HOME DEPOTVIEW ON LOWE’S

What We Like

• Keeps gutter guards free of debris
• Inexpensive
• Removes cobwebs easily

What We Don’t Like

• Can be a little awkward to get the right angle

Even if you have gutter guards to prevent excessive buildup of leaves, pine needles, and other debris in the rain gutters and downspouts, the gutter guards themselves can become overloaded with organic debris, causing them to spill rainwater down to the ground rather than allowing it to flow into the gutters. The solution is this five-sided bristle brush that attaches to any standard extension pole. Now you can stand safely on the ground, reach the brush up to your gutter guards, and easily brush away all of the leaves and other grime, leaving your gutter guards freely draining into the gutters beneath. You might need to maneuver back and forth to reach all angles of the gutter guards, but you’ll find that the brush is quite effective for the task.

You can also use the brush to knock down cobwebs, or take it off the extension pole and use it to scrub concrete, stone, brick, or other hard exterior surfaces to remove dirt, algae, and other unsightly buildup. That makes it a versatile addition to your cleaning supplies for your home’s outdoor spaces.

Price at time of publish: $12

_{Type: Brush | Dimensions: 11 x 3.5 x 3 inches | Weight: 8 Ounces}

Best Spray Cleaner

Chomp! World’s Best Gutter/Siding Cleaner

Chomp!

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What We Like

• Effectively removes dirt and stains from rain gutters and siding
• Biodegradable formula
• Ready to use

What We Don’t Like

• Not for use from the ground

Once you’ve removed the fallen leaves and other debris from your rain gutters, chances are good that they’ll still be rather unsightly due to stains and dirt. That can diminish your home’s good looks. So while you’re already in gutter-cleaning mode, give those rain gutters a fresh new appearance with this effective cleaning spray from Chomp. While it cannot remove rust or some other difficult stains, it easily banishes ugly smears, stains, and smudges created by decomposing leaves, dirt, bugs, and other common gutter grunge. This product is both biodegradable and fragrance-free. Additionally, it is already pre-mixed and ready for use.

Just spray the cleaner onto the sides and bottom of your rain gutters—it can also be used on siding—and then wipe with a sponge or cloth attached to an extension pole. That’s it! Your gutters will look much cleaner and better, and while you might not think that’s a big deal, you’ll be surprised at how much clean gutters boost the appearance of your house. The spray comes in a 32-ounce bottle, but a gallon-size bottle is also available if you have a large house with lots of rain gutters to clean.

Price at time of publish: $20

_{Type: Spray cleaner | Dimensions: 3 x 4 x 11.5 inches | Weight: 2 pounds}

Best Garden Hose Attachment

Orbit 58543 Telescoping Gutter Cleaning Wand

Orbit

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What We Like

• Can be used from the ground
• Useful for many other outdoor cleaning projects
• Rotating nozzle

What We Don’t Like

• Relatively expensive

Attach this gutter-cleaning wand from Orbit to your garden hose, and now you have an easy way to clean out rain gutters without having to stand on a ladder. The telescoping handle extends from 40 inches to 72 inches, so you can easily reach into gutters without strain. The head of the attachment can be adjusted in four positions up and down to achieve just the right angle, and the zinc sweeper nozzle rotates 180 degrees for easy aiming of the spray. While admittedly, you are probably going to get wet while using this to clean your gutters, it does effectively wash out all manners of grunge, allowing you to then easily clean it up from the ground.

You can also use this handy hose attachment to wash your car—it makes it so much easier to reach the top—your house siding or any other outdoor items in need of a good cleaning. There’s a lever at the base of the attachment so you can shut off the water without having to walk back to the hose spigot, and the wand even has comfortable padding to help you maintain a secure grip. The device attaches to any standard garden hose.

Price at time of publish: $37

_{Type: Hose attachment | Dimensions: 1 x 5 x 40 inches | Weight: 1.3 pounds}

Best Leaf Blower Attachment

Greenworks Universal Gutter Cleaning Kit

Greenworks

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What We Like

• Works with most leaf blowers
• Can be adjusted to several lengths
• Don’t need a ladder

What We Don’t Like

• Can be heavy or unwieldy to maneuver overhead

If you have a leaf blower with up to a 5-inch attachment connector, then this kit from Greenworks can help you get your gutters clean without having to climb a ladder. The kit includes four poles measuring 26.67 inches each, a 16.14-inch-long connector, and a curved end piece that’s 9.53 inches long, so if you fully assemble all of the pieces, you have an extension attachment that’s over 11 feet long. That lets you easily reach into rain gutters without a stretch, although admittedly, it can be a bit heavy and awkward to maneuver the attachment overhead when fully extended.

The attachment is designed for maximum airflow from your leaf blower, so most fallen leaves and other debris in your rain gutters will quickly be blown out and away, allowing you to easily rake the mess up from the ground rather than having to bend and stretch to lift it directly out of the gutters. If you use fewer extension pole pieces, you can utilize the attachment for other cleaning tasks in your yard that require the force of a leaf blower.

Price at time of publish: $49

_{Type: Blower attachment | Dimensions: 116.85 x 12.99 x 2.66 inches | Weight: 3.69 pounds}

Best Wet/Dry Vacuum Attachment

Craftsman Wet/Dry Vacuum Gutter Cleaning Kit

Craftsman

VIEW ON WALMARTVIEW ON ACE HARDWAREVIEW ON NEWEGG.COM

What We Like

• Works with most brands of shop vacs
• Can be used to blow or vacuum fallen leaves from gutters

What We Don’t Like

• Can be awkward to use overhead

Your wet/dry vacuum can become your gutter-cleaning assistant with this kit from Craftsman, which works with any brand of shop vac having a 2.5-inch diameter hose attachment. The kit includes two extension wands, a gutter nozzle, and a blower nozzle. When all the pieces are connected, the attachment adds 47 inches of reach to your vacuum hose, so you can reach the gutters from the ground. The gutter nozzle is angled to reach right down to the bottom of your gutters, while the blower nozzle is designed to focus the blast of air when using the shop vac in the blow mode.

You can use this attachment to suck up the debris from your rain gutters, whether dry or wet, although wet leaves are likelier to clump and possibly clog the hose. Switch your shop vac to blow mode, and you can use the attachment to blow the leaves and grunge out of the gutters and down to the ground, if you prefer to rake up the mess by hand. Or you can alternate between both methods to maximize your cleaning efforts. It can be a little awkward to maneuver the attachment up overhead and into your gutters, and it can be messy if using the vacuum to blow the debris out, but you’ll still find that the job is overall much easier with this handy attachment.

Price at time of publish: $53

_{Type: Vacuum attachment | Dimensions: 5.5 x 9 x 23.5 inches | Weight: 2.4 pounds}

Final Verdict

For relatively easy, efficient, and quick removal of all manners of gutter debris, we recommend the Gutter Tool Gutter Cleaning Spoon and Scoop, which is a sturdy plastic tool that scrapes up wet or clumped leaves and other materials, and then is used to pull the mess towards you so you can lift it out of the rain gutter and into the trash. But if you prefer an attachment for your hose, then the Orbit Telescoping Gutter Cleaner extends to 70 inches and lets you turn your garden hose into an effective blaster of gutter grunge.

What to Look For In A Gutter Cleaner

Type

There are several basic types of gutter cleaners. 

• Scoops or spoons are the simplest type but can be very effective. We particularly recommend the Amerimax Home Products Gutter Getter Scoop. These large plastic scoops are used to scrape and lift leaves and other debris out of the gutter. From there, you can drop the waste to a trash can below or to a tarp spread out on the ground. On the plus side, scoops are generally inexpensive and do a good job of lifting grunge. On the downside, you’ll need to stand on a ladder to use them, and that means repositioning your ladder every few feet to avoid stretching or leaning. 
• Scrapers or rakes, such as the Gutter Getter Gutter Rake, have an edge that helps you loosen clots of decomposing debris and then pull the material towards you so that you can lift it out of the gutter with your gloved hands or a scoop. Scrapers are especially useful for moving wet leaves or for reaching beneath or around the gutter hangers, where debris often becomes stuck. However, you’ll need to stand on a ladder to use your scraper, and these tools are for loosening and collecting the debris, not for actually lifting it out of the rain gutter.
• Gutter brushes like the Gutterglove Gutter Guard Brush aren’t generally intended for cleaning out the gutter itself but rather for removing fallen leaves, pine needles, and other debris from atop gutter guards. Most attach to an extension pole so you can reach the gutter guards from the ground. 
• Garden hose attachments are an easy way to wash debris out of your rain gutters without mounting a ladder. These generally consist of a long extension pole that attaches to your hose on one end and has a curved nozzle on the other. Once the attachment is in place, you simply turn on your hose and angle the nozzle into your gutters to wash out the debris. On the downside, you are likely to get wet, and you’ll need to rake up the grunge from the ground. On the plus side, these work quite well for cleaning gutters and can also be used for other cleaning jobs, such as washing your car. We especially like the Orbit Telescoping Gutter Cleaning Wand.
• Leaf blower attachments, including our favorite gutter cleaning attachment from Greenworks, are often universal, so they can be used with just about any brand of leaf blower. These are long extension attachments with a curved end that reaches into your rain gutters from the ground. You then use the air power to blow out the leaves. Generally, these attachments work best when the debris is fairly dry. You’ll still need to gather up the mess once it drops to the ground, though. 
• Wet/dry vacuum attachments, like other types of attachments, consist of a long extension wand with a curved end that fits into the rain gutter. Most are universal for use with just about any common brand of shop vac. We particularly recommend the gutter cleaning attachment kit from Craftsman. You can use these attachments to either vacuum up the debris, or turn it to the blow setting to blast the grunge out of the gutters. 
• Pressure washer attachments let you harness the high-pressure blast of water to quickly remove leaves and other debris from your rain gutters. You are likely to get wet, and generally you’ll have a mess to clean up off the ground, but you won’t need to stand on a ladder to reach into your gutters. Like other types of attachments, these are usually universal for use with common brands of pressure washers. We especially like the Ridge Washer Gutter Cleaner Attachment.
• Gutter spray cleaners, including our favorite, Chomp! World’s Best Gutter/Siding Cleaner, aren’t for actually removing the leaves and other debris, but rather, for removing stains and other unsightly marks from your rain gutters once you’ve used another method to lift out the grunge. As a final step in your gutter-cleaning project, a spray cleaner can really help restore the appearance of your rain gutters, which helps freshen up the look of your home’s exterior. These typically spray on and then wipe off.  

Length and Weight

Because you’ll be holding your gutter-cleaning tool either up over your head or while perched atop a ladder, the tool shouldn’t be too heavy or difficult to wield. Most attachment-type tools can be extended several feet so you can reach the gutters on a single-story home from the ground, but they can be a little awkward to maneuver. However, hand-held tools like scoops and rakes require you to stand on a ladder to reach the rain gutters, as these are generally only one to two feet in length.

Required Equipment

Along with your gutter-cleaning tool, you’ll need a sturdy ladder if not using a tool that reaches the gutters from the ground, you’ll definitely want a pair of work gloves for handling the grunge, and you’ll need a trash can to toss the collected debris, or a bag or tarp if you plan on carrying it to your compost bin or pile. Of course, if you are using an attachment designed for use on a garden hose, pressure washer, shop vac, or leaf blower, then you’ll need that piece of equipment as well.

Ease of Use

Cleaning out rain gutters is a necessary but not especially enjoyable task. A tool that is easy to use and effective makes the job faster and reduces frustration. Generally, scoops and rakes are the simplest types of gutter cleaners to use but do require the most effort on your part, as well as multiple climbs up and down a ladder. Various types of attachments reduce your need for a ladder and the amount of scraping and lifting you’ll need to do but can be awkward to wield effectively overhead into the rain gutters. But ultimately, all of the various types of gutter cleaners are fairly simple to use and not especially complicated. However, we feel that our Best Overall pick, the Gutter Tool Gutter Cleaning Spoon, is easy and effective enough for just about any gutter cleaning project.

FAQ

• What is the best type of gutter cleaning tool?The best type of gutter cleaning tool is the one that works best for your specific needs. For some people, that means a scoop and rake for reaching right into the gutters and removing the debris by hand while standing on a ladder. For others, that means an attachment of some type that reduces the physical exertions of scooping out the leaves and other organic materials, as well as the need for a ladder. Before choosing a gutter cleaner, consider your comfort with heights, your physical strength, the condition of your rain gutters, and the equipment that you already have on hand.
• Can you clean gutters without a ladder?If you have an attachment mounted to an extension pole or wand, then it is possible to clean out rain gutters without a ladder. However, if the gutters are especially clogged with heavy debris, such as small branches or pine cones, or a piece of debris is firmly lodged beneath the gutter hangers, then you might still need to use a ladder to climb up and remove those difficult pieces by hand before continuing on with your attachment.
• What time of year is best for cleaning gutters?As a general rule, you should clean your gutters twice a year: once in the spring to clear out winter’s debris and once in late autumn to remove fallen leaves before they begin to decompose into a heavy, sodden mess. However, if your home is surrounded by deciduous trees or by pines or firs that drop needles, then you might need to clean your gutters quarterly to keep ahead of the mess. And if you have few trees around your home, then an annual cleaning might be sufficient.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Michelle Ullman is the home improvement/tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs around the house and yard.

For this roundup, she considered dozens of gutter cleaners, evaluating each for effectiveness, ease of use, versatility, and overall value. She also considered feedback from customers, both positive and negative, as well as reviews and information on various home improvement websites. 

Further input and expertise was provided by Lindsey Egner, owner of Carolina Power Wash, which specializes in gutter cleaning and power washing around homes and commercial properties.