Ladder

• Position a tall folding or extension ladder on a level spot of ground or pavement below the gutters. It should be tall enough to allow you to reach the gutters comfortably. If you lean an extension ladder against the home or structure, don't stand on the top two ladder steps or you can set it off balance and it may topple out from under you. Do not lean too far to one side of the ladder to reach the gutters--it is much safer to climb down and reposition the ladder in a more convenient spot.
  
  

Hand Brush/Stiff Brush

• A hand brush is useful for sweeping out the loose debris that has collected inside the gutters. Use a stiff brush to break up the heavier deposits of mud or dirt that may have accumulated on the gutter's inside channel. Scrub the gutter bottom with the stiff brush, working down the gutter away from its drain outlet, or where it meets a downspout.
  
  

Trowel

• A trowel is generally used for digging, but a narrow garden trowel is great for scooping up loosened debris from inside gutters. Hold a bucket next to you, and dispose of the debris in a bucket as you work. Start at the drain outlet and work backwards down the gutter, away from the outlet.
  
  

Garden Hose

• Wash dirt or small bits of loose debris down the gutter with a garden hose, pointing it toward the downspout or drain outlet. The garden hose can also be used to clear out clogged downspouts. Insert the end of the hose down into the drain outlet of the gutter and move it around, spraying the inside until the water coming out of the downspout's bottom is clean of debris.
  
  

Auger

• An auger is generally used by plumbers to clear out clogged pipes and drains. If the garden hose is ineffective at clearing out a clogged downspout, an auger can be used. Feed the auger's flexible cord into the downspout through the bottom outlet or through the drain outlet on top. Turn the auger handle clockwise to extend the snakelike cord until the auger cord encounters and breaks up the clog.