How to Use a Leaf Blower (Step-by-Step Guide)

When you’re wrangling leaves covering your yard, a leaf blower is a perfect power tool. It saves you time and energy. In this article, we’ll show you how to use a leaf blower like a pro. 

Our leaf blower tips will lessen your workload and protect you from harm. From checking the weather to using the proper technique, we’ll cover how – in 8 easy steps – to blow away leaves, twigs, and other debris so you can enjoy a tidy yard. 

But should you want to go old-school and rake your leaves – you’ll get a great workout – check out our article How to Rake Leaves in 6 Steps.

A leaf blower definitely makes leaf removal faster and quicker, so let’s get started with our step-by-step guide for How to Use a Leaf Blower.

How to Use a Leaf Blower in 8 Easy Steps

1. Check the Weather

Wet leaves are a problem, so don’t use your leaf blower on rainy or snowy days. Blowing soaked leaves after a rainstorm or snowfall is slippery, frustrating, and almost impossible. 

Steer clear of windy days, too. Blowing leaves on a blustery day is difficult; you’ll find yourself in an endless cycle of blowing, watching the leaves scatter, and blowing again. Wait for a calm, dry day to use your leaf blower.

2. Avoid Neighborhood Quiet Hours  

Gas-powered leaf blowers are LOUD, so don’t use your leaf blower during quiet hours. No one wants to wake up to the sound of a leaf blower at dawn or just as they’re winding down for the night. 

In fact, more than 100 cities across the U.S. have limited the use of leaf blowers to certain hours of the day. For example, Seattle bars leaf blowers outside the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on weekdays and before 9 a.m. and after 10 p.m. on weekends.

Check your local rules and regulations. 

3. Gear Up for Safety

Leaf blowers can turn twigs and pebbles into high-speed projectiles, so gear up for safety before you turn on your leaf blower. 

Keep yourself safe with the following equipment: 

• Eye protection

• Gardening gloves to protect your hands from blisters and debris especially when gathering up leaves. 

• A face mask or covering will keep you from inhaling all that dust and pollen.

• Long sleeves and pants to shield your skin from flying bits and pieces. 

• Closed-toe shoes protect your feet. 

• Noise-canceling headphones or earplugs. Why you need them: The roar of some leaf blowers can reach decibel levels of 80 and above (anything above 70 decibels can damage hearing).

And remember: Keep the blower aimed away from people and pets. If you are not careful, you may hurt someone or your BFF (best furry friend). 

4. Clear the Area

Before using your leaf blower, clear the area. Pick up any branches and debris. Sticks can become projectiles when propelled by airspeeds of 165-200 mph. 

5. Prepare Your Leaf Blower

Next step, prepare your leaf blower. 

If you have a cordless leaf blower, make sure it’s fully charged. You don’t want to be halfway through your yard cleanup only to have your leaf blower sputter out. Keep a spare battery handy, just in case you need a quick power boost to finish the job.

For those using a gas-powered leaf blower, fill the fuel tank and check the oil levels before you start. 

6. Lay Out a Tarp (Optional)

You can make your job easier by blowing leaves onto a tarp. This part is optional but it can really come in handy when it’s time to remove the leaves. 

Here’s how it works: Lay out a large tarp in an open area. Once you have a pile of leaves on the tarp, gather up the corners and tie them together. You’re then ready to dispose of the leaves or compost them for your garden.

7. Use the Appropriate Technique

Remember when we promised we would show you how to use a leaf blower like a pro? Do these things: 

• Work with the wind: Let nature be your ally. Always blow in the same direction as the wind.

• Adjust the airflow: Before you start, adjust the airflow on your leaf blower. Too much power will just send leaves flying in every direction.

• Use vacuum mode for tricky spots: If your leaf blower has a “vacuum mode,” use it for smaller spaces or tricky spots under hedges where a rake would be ineffective.

• Start at the perimeter: Begin at the outer edges of your yard and work your way toward the center, herding the leaves into manageable piles.

• Hold your leaf blower correctly: Hold your leaf blower so you’re angling the front chute toward the ground at a low angle. Direct the airflow under the leaves, not on top, and use a sweeping arc motion from left to right as you walk slowly. 

• Create small piles: Smaller, controlled piles of leaves are your goal. Smaller piles of leaves are easier to pick up and dispose of – though a giant mound of leaves is more fun to jump in.

• Take breaks: If it’s hot outside, use your leaf blower in short intervals to avoid overheating it (and yourself).

• Accept imperfection: Don’t stress over every single leaf. Accept that a few leaves will escape your efforts and that’s OK. 

8. Store Your Leaf Blower 

After you’ve wielded your leaf blower like a pro, store your power tool in a dry place. Hang your leaf blower by the hooks to keep it off the ground. This not only reduces wear and tear but also prevents any accidental trips or toe-stubbing incidents.

Now kick back and enjoy your leaf-free lawn.

Need a New Leaf Blower? 

If you’re shopping for the perfect leaf blower for your yard and budget, here are several LawnStarter leaf blower reviews: 

Enhulk Pro Series 930 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower

Best Leaf Blowers

Best Electric Leaf Blowers

Best Backpack Leaf Blowers

Best Gas Leaf Blowers

Best Leaf Blower Vacuums

Best Cordless Leaf Blowers

Too Much Work? Hire a Leaf Removal Pro

While leaf blowing is a pretty common DIY task, it can take hours to clean up a large lawn. And if you have a heavy leaf blower, you might experience some body aches afterward.  

LawnStarter connects you to the best local leaf removal pros who can remove the leaves for you. You won’t have to lift a leaf blower or bend over to scoop up or bundle up your piles of leaves for removal. 

LawnStarter makes lawn care – and leaf removal – easy.

Main Image Credit: SockaGPhoto / Adobe Stock Free / License

Cecilia Acevedo

Cecilia is your home expert with a focus on gardens. When she's not writing about cozy living, she's digging into the world of gardening. Cecilia shares down-to-earth tips to make your outdoor space thrive. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and join her in cultivating a greener life through her stories full of gardening insights and a love for the great outdoors.

Posts by Cecilia Acevedo