6 On Your Side: Consumer Confidence, Time-Saving Leaf Removal Tips

(ABC 6 News) – Autumn is on its way, and some of us would love to leave the fall clean-up chores behind us and never look back. But, the outdoor chores don’t have to be so back-breaking and time-consuming.

Consumer Reports shares three top tips to help you clear the leaves and fall back in time this season.

“When fall comes around we definitely dread the cleanup, it becomes a weekly task,” says home-owner Cynthia Welker, who enlists the help of her two boys when it comes to cleaning up fall leaves.

Consumer Reports’ Paul Hope has three leaf-removal tips to keep your fall cleanup in check. Coming in at number one is an obvious, but often overlooked tip: avoid breezy days.

“Lots of people use weather apps to check things like temperature and whether there’s rain in the forecast but it’s also a good idea to look for wind gusts before you start sweeping leaves,” says Hope.

Tip number two: use a tarp to get those leaf piles from one spot to another, faster.

After you’ve gotten the bulk of your leaves out of the way, take a tip from CR and Welker and shred …

“I have my tractor that we use and that picks up all of the leaves and it makes life a thousand times easier,” says Welker.

“Mulching your leaves actually solves three problems,” explains Hope. “For starters, it’s a great way to use up the leftover gas in your mower’s tank before winter storage. But it also helps get rid of your leaves and feeds your lawn.”

When you shred your leaves with a mower they turn into a nutrient-rich compost for your lawn.

If you want to save even more time and effort, give your rake a break and consider a leaf blower.

Consumer Reports says you can also use your mower’s bag attachment when you mulch your leaves and then use those clippings as bedding around your shrubs. Just be sure to clear away the whole leaves underneath first.