Once or twice a year, it's a good idea to put on your work gloves, get on a ladder and clean out your gutters and downspouts. If your gutters are clogged, rain runoff won't drain properly. Water can overflow the gutters and cause serious structural damage to your foundation over time. In addition, a gutterful of water is very heavy and can damage the fascia boards on your roof. A rubber or plastic kitchen spatula works well, but the best tools are your hands.
Dry gutters are fairly easy to clean.
You'll need a place to put leaves and dirt from the gutter. To make a gutter bucket, cut a bucket handle in two, right in the middle, with wire cutters. Bend both ends over so you can hang the bucket on the gutter. When you're done cleaning, add the leaves to your compost pile. If you find an area that can't be easily cleaned, use a wire brush or a nylon scouring pad.