Like Kermit the frog once said, it’s not easy being green. But it’s good to be green. As homeowners, we have the power to make choices that are more eco-friendly. And, when it comes to gutter cleaning, opting for sustainability not only keeps your home in top shape but also can help you minimize waste and your carbon footprint. In this article, we will provide practical tips for green gutter cleaning that also make your to-do list a little shorter.
What is green gutter cleaning?
In short, green gutter cleaning means reduced waste and lower carbon emissions. But that can sound like pie in the sky when you’re focused on getting the job done fast, and safely. Let’s start by looking at the environmental impact of traditional gutter cleaning.
Traditional gutter cleaning methods often involve chemical cleaners and excessive water usage. Of course, they both have negative impacts on the environment. Green gutter cleaning, on the other hand, seeks to minimize harm to the environment while also ensuring you are performing effective home maintenance. (Wondering why gutter cleaning is so important? There are bad consequences of skipping gutter cleaning, so it’s an essential task for homeowners).
Four benefits of green gutter cleaning
Traditional gutter cleaning methods include flushing the gutters with water from a hose or a wand, as well as using chemicals, blowers, power tool attachments, and more. Here are four benefits of green gutter cleaning:
- Reduced chemical usage. Chemical cleaners may be great at cleaning away muck, but they are bad for the environment. They leach into the soil and water, which can have harmful and long-reaching effects on plants, animals, and water quality, even far from your home. By choosing more natural alternatives, you can minimize the introduction of chemicals and other harmful substances into the environment.
- Water conservation. Many municipalities are emphasizing water conservation in the face of droughts and extreme weather. Green gutter cleaning does not rely on excessive water to flush out leaves and debris. Instead, sustainable practices like green gutter cleaning focus on using the minimum water necessary to get the job done.
- Healthier ecosystem. Avoiding or eliminating the use of toxic chemicals can help to lessen your impact on the environment around you. This can help to protect the species in your area—its biodiversity—and promote a healthier ecosystem even around your home. After all, others besides you call your property home: birds, pollinators, and other members of food webs that have important roles in keeping the land and water healthy.
- Reduced carbon footprint. Sustainable practices like green gutter cleaning can really add up in helping to lower your overall carbon footprint. Eliminating chemical usage and embracing water conservation practices help to conserve our shared natural resources and lessen our individual impact on the climate.
Practical tips for green gutter cleaning
All right, now that you get the big picture, how can you put it into practice? Follow these tips for green gutter cleaning.
- Opt for natural cleaners. Yes, we get it—sometimes that muck is really mucky. A mixture of white vinegar and warm water can effectively break down debris and sludge with less harm to the environment. You can also consider plant-based and biodegradable cleaners. To take eco-friendly choices even further, look for minimal waste products like refill tablets.
- Conserve water. Gutter cleaning can use a lot of water. Some homeowners opt to use rainwater collected in rain barrels, but not everyone has these. Instead, choose a method that doesn’t require water to be effective—like Gutter Sense.
- Clean regularly. Regular gutter cleaning prevents the buildup of leaves, twigs, and dirt. Put simply, the job is easier if you do it more often, and this means you might not have to use water and cleaners at all.
- Compost debris. Instead of discarding the leaves and debris you remove from the gutters, you can compost it. Compost contributes to healthier soil while reducing waste. And, if you don’t compost in your own yard, check if your waste provider offers curbside composting service—many do.
Green gutter cleaning is a win-win—for home maintenance and the planet. With a few small shifts, you can do your part, and feel good about it.
Looking for a way to make gutter cleaning easier? Be sure to check out Gutter Sense. At just $34, it’s a low-cost solution to easier, safer gutter cleaning. See it in action and purchase online.