Make Faster Work of Leaf Removal

Raking leaves can be fun . . . for about 10 minutes, perhaps a bit longer for kids whose sole job is to jump into the piles their parents are making.

Consumer Reports wrote these following tips to help you with this chore.

But you can make quicker, easier work of leaf cleanup. Our tips won’t eliminate the chore altogether, but they might get you back in front of your new HDTV, snacks and cold drink in hand, in time for the second-half kickoff.

Before you start working, familiarize yourself with the guidelines your town has in place for fall cleanup by checking out the municipal Web site or calling the public-works department.

Choose the right rake. In our testing we found that extrawide rakes (36 inches) require more downward pressure to drag leaves across the lawn. That’s why we recommend a standard-width (24 inches) rake, ideally a model equipped with a soft grip. Before you purchase a rake with an ergonomically curved handle, see how comfortable it is to use by simulating raking in the store. Ergonomic rakes are designed to reduce bending and stooping, but they’re not a good fit for everyone.

Continue reading leaf removal tips at www.consumerreports.org.

(Image credit: “Small pink leaf rake” by Don LaVangeFlickr: Ayla’s Rake. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.)