TikTok's Tarp Hack Will Make Raking Up Your Leaves A Whole Lot Easier
Each year as summer wanes into fall, once lush green foliage transforms into a carpet of gold and red. While beautiful to look at, raking up all of these fallen leaves is a tiresome task. After scraping them into a pile, green bins or paper lawn waste bags are dragged over, and scooping commences. Between the force of the rake and the constant bending and lifting, this job does a number on the back. Fortunately, the innovation that is TikTok has a hack for just about everything, including some clever tips for making raking your leaves easier.
TikTok user @todayshomeowner found one answer in a common camping and yardwork staple — the tarp. These waterproof sheets are easy to come by. If you don't have one at home, you can pick one up at Dollar Tree for $5.00. For those wondering how to clean a backyard of autumn debris without all the extra work, this hack might be for you. Check out this DIY to make your own handy leaf scooper with a simple tarp.
Testing the leaf raking hack
To handcraft a leaf scooper, you'll need a staple gun, and a 4 by 8 foot tarp. If what you've purchased is a bit bigger, you can cut it down with scissors for a more manageable size. You'll also require two 4 foot wooden dowels, which are available at Home Depot for $1.14 a piece. In the TikTok video, @todayshomeover, positioned one dowel on either side of the tarp, rolled the fabric around the rods, and stapled them in place. If you're not comfortable using a heavy-duty stapler, try this hack with duct tape instead. With the project complete, it's time to test it.
Rake some leaves into the device and pick it up by the sides so debris slides to the center. Tip it into the compost container, and you're done. This foliage catcher works well because of the slippery surface and stiff structure. The wood poles force yard waste to slide down into the bin like a funnel. Fall leaf removal just got easier, and all you needed to get the job done was a simple tarp. Save time and your back, and still get the yard clear — it's a win-win.