How to Make 6 Homemade Gutter Cleaning Solutions

You’ve got a lot of gutter 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 rain gutters. But we do love some do-it-yourself home improvement!

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 blockages and gunk are building up inside your gutters over time. If gutters are not regularly cleaned out, they can become backed up, which stops rainwater from flowing through the system as it should. Backups can also cause the water to back up onto the roof or fall by the home’s foundation, which can both cause damage.

While you can clean out your gutters with plain water, using a cleaning solution can speed up the process 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 new cleaning products.

In this article:

• The Best Homemade Gutter Cleaning Solutions
• More Information on Cleaning Out Gutters
• Final Thoughts
• Frequently Asked Questions

The Best Homemade Gutter Cleaning Solutions

Homemade gutter-cleaning solutions are not only cost-effective — they’re also eco-friendly. After all, sometimes you need more than just water to clean out your gutters. Especially if algae, pest infestations, or stubborn clogs are part of the problem. Keep in mind that some gutter issues, such as mold or mildew buildup, might need stronger commercial cleaning products or even professional gutter cleaning services to help ensure the problem is fixed.

Here are a few DIY cleaning options to consider.

1. Vinegar and Water Gutter Cleaning Solution

Mix equal parts vinegar and warm water, and scrub your gutters. Vinegar is suitable for cutting through grease and grime, and it can also keep mildew at bay, reduce rust, and break up mineral deposits.

2. Dishwashing Liquid and Water Gutter Cleaning Solution

Mix one to two tablespoons of biodegradable dish liquid (the kind you’d use to hand-wash dishes, not the type you’d put in your dishwasher) in a gallon container of warm water and use a rag to scrub your gutters.

Pro tip: Dish soap is even better than vinegar at cutting grease. You can even add dish soap to the vinegar and water mixture described above for extra cleaning power. This solution is excellent for cleaning up grime, sticky residue, and dirt.

3. 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 remove them. Mix three parts baking soda to one part water to create a paste.

This is lightly abrasive, so don’t scrub too hard. Just rub firmly enough to remove any stains.

4. Lemon Juice and Salt Gutter Cleaning Solution

This is another useful stain-removing solution, but keep in mind that it is a more abrasive cleaner. Cut a lemon in half, cover the cut end of the lemon in salt, place the salted end of the lemon on the gutter, and scrub.

It’s helpful to dissolve mineral deposits, reduce rust, 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. As a note, abrasive cleaners like this shouldn’t be used on aluminum, copper, or galvanized steel gutters since it can ruin the finish.

5. Cream of Tartar and Water Gutter Cleaning Solution

Similar to the baking soda solution, you want to take two parts cream of tartar and one part water to create a paste. Use a brush or a cloth to apply it to your gutter. Leave the paste on for 10-15 minutes before washing off. This method is effective for lifting common stains and brightening gutter surfaces.

Pro tip: For tougher rust spots, you can boost the formula by mixing a teaspoon of cream of tartar, ¼ cup of baking soda, and enough hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. Don’t use this cleaner on gutters that have delicate or previously damaged finishes, as it can damage the finish further. Test on a hidden area of the gutter before applying elsewhere.

6. Bleach and Water

The key to an effective (and safe) bleach cleaning solution is dilution. Mix a one-to-one bleach and water solution for removing stubborn stains and mildew from your gutters. Apply it by using a soft-bristle brush or cloth. This solution can help restore gutters to their original white color and remove dark stains.

If using this solution, safety is paramount. Bleach can be very toxic even in a diluted mixture. Be sure to wear rubber gloves and safety goggles to protect yourself.

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.

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 essential to check for clogs inside the gutters and clean them out.

Gutter Cleaning Safety Tips

• Wear gloves and safety goggles to protect your hands and eyes.
• Don’t overreach. Move your ladder as needed while cleaning.
• Use a ladder stabilizer or have someone spot you at the base of the ladder.
• Ensure your ladder is on solid, level ground.
• Consider using a ladder rather than cleaning from the roof – especially if your home is more than one story high.
• If using a ladder, use nonslip shoes.

How to Clean Out Gutters Without a Ladder

There are some efficient ways to clean out gutters without a ladder.

From the ground, you can use a variety of tools, including a leaf blower attachment or a 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.

Gutter Cleaning Tools

• A bucket or tarp to collect debris (Be sure to hang the bucket on the ladder to avoid holding it while cleaning)
• Gutter scoop or gardening trowel to dig up debris
• A hose with a spray nozzle or gutter cleaning attachment to rinse out the gutter
• Shopvac to remove clogs

DIY Gutter Cleaning Steps  

If you want to use a ladder and you feel confident you’ve taken the proper safety precautions, you can use a brush or cloth to scrub your gutters by hand. You’ll also need to use a hose, leaf blower, or vacuum to remove any clogs physically.

If you’re using a ladder, begin by setting it up safely. This means ensuring it is on stable ground and safely placed against the house. Start by removing large debris, then scrub with your chosen DIY solution, and finish by flushing with a hose.

If you aren’t using a ladder, you’ll need tools that can reach the gutter. These include gutter cleaning wands for your hose and gutter-reaching attachments for your leaf blower. Use a telescoping brush with your homemade cleaner if you need to scrub the gutters but don’t have access to a ladder.

Final Thoughts

While you can always make your own gutter cleaning solutions, the best long-term solution is to have professional gutter guards installed. LeafFilter’s patented micromesh technology blocks even the smallest debris (including pollen), so you only have to clean your gutters once or twice a year.

If you want to leave gutter cleaning to the professionals, learn more about our gutter cleaning services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What takes green or black algae off gutters?

If you have mold or algae growing on your gutters, you can use the vinegar solution mentioned above to remove it. For stubborn spots, you can apply straight vinegar to small areas if needed. You could also try a small amount of the diluted bleach solution, 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 essential to determine whether your gutter system needs to be replaced. If they have rust holes, are sagging, or have 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 out my gutters without a ladder?

We have a guide for that! Check out this article for helpful info. Some of the methods covered include the leaf blower method, the pressure washing method, and the wet/dry vac method.

What do professional gutter cleaners use?

Professional gutter cleaners typically rely on eco-friendly detergents, soft brushes, and low-pressure rinsing to remove dirt, algae, and debris, while tougher stains may require stronger commercial solutions. For a safe, thorough clean, you can also schedule LeafFilter’s professional gutter cleaning service—our experts remove debris, flush downspouts, and inspect your system to help ensure your gutters are working like new.