- 1). Check the weather report. Cleaning the gutters and removing mildew becomes easier if you have a few dry days in a row. The moisture in the debris can start to evaporate, making it lighter to remove.
- 2). Set the ladder next to the house and climb to the gutter. If using a stepladder, make sure that it is on solid ground. If you are using an extension ladder, lean it against the house. Avoid power wires and branches.
- 3). Remove gutter screens if the gutters have them. Gutter screens are meant to block debris from falling into the gutter in the first place. Different models are attached different ways; generally, they slide under the shingle on one side, and then are secured with a ridge fitting over the front of the gutter. A screw may be used to secure them in place as well. To remove, unscrew the gutter screen screw with your screwdriver, lift the ridge from over the gutter screen and then slide out. Set the gutter screens aside.
- 4). Remove the debris in the gutters. Before you get to the mildew, you must get to the debris that is on top of it. Use the trowel to remove the debris and place it in the bucket. Continue moving the ladder until the debris is removed. Climb down the ladder and discard the bucket contents.
- 5). Check the downspout. The downspout runs from the gutter to the ground, where the water drains. If it clogs, water cannot drain from the gutter, and that may increase the chances of mildew. Place your ladder next to where the downspout meets the gutter. Ascend the ladder with a hose with a pressure nozzle and spray water down the downspout. If it flows out below, it is not clogged. If it is clogged, water will either back up or only trickle out. If this occurs, descend from the ladder and place the hose up into the downspout with the pressure nozzle on the highest setting. The debris should loosen and fall to the bottom of the downspout, where you can discard it.
- 6). Rinse the gutters and downspout using your hose with the pressure nozzle. Water should now freely drain.
- 7). Mix a solution of an ounce of bleach with a gallon of water. The mixture does not have to be precise; just make sure the bleach is heavily diluted. Wear work gloves when you make the mixture.
- 8). Soak the sponge in the bleach solution and wipe away the mildew. Using a little elbow grease, scrub away stubborn mildew with the sponge. If the mildew has stained the gutter significantly, clog the gutter with your sponge and allow the bleach solution to sit in the gutter for 10 to 15 minutes before scrubbing.
- 9). Continue scrubbing the gutters, moving the ladder along section by section until you are finished. If you have gutter screens, reinstall them by snapping and screwing into place with your screwdriver.
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