The Genius Hack That Makes Refreshing Dirty Gravel So Convenient

Gravel can be a fantastic product in the yard and garden, perfect for paths, driveways, or even patios. Of course, it's not without its downsides, which can include the gravel washing away, having weeds grow in it, and just plain getting dirty. While there are a variety of methods for cleaning gravel driveways and other gravel hardscaping, one clever option involves creating a giant sieve to rinse your gravel in. 

Washing your gravel doesn't just help it look nice, it's also an essential first step before using most types of gravel glue, including PetraMax Lockdown Sticky Rock, which is available on Amazon. Cleaning all your gravel may be no easy task depending on how much you have though. Luckily, if you have a spare wheelbarrow you're able to sacrifice, you can turn it into a strainer to quickly and easily clean your gravel.

To turn an old wheelbarrow into a strainer for cleaning gravel, start by drilling holes in the bottom and a few inches up the sides of the wheelbarrow using a 1/8-inch drill bit. These holes should be spaced an inch or two apart and fully cover the bottom and lower sides of the wheelbarrow, as this is how the water will drain out. Don't forget to wear goggles and gloves when using the drill.

Once the wheelbarrow resembles a giant sieve, you're ready to shovel in a load of gravel. Spray the gravel with a hose as it is being added in, and watch as the dirt and water run out of the holes. Be sure to keep stirring the gravel in the wheelbarrow so it can get thoroughly sprayed and cleaned, and don't fill the wheelbarrow more than a third of the way full. If you prefer to use a kitchen cabinet staple like vinegar in addition to water when cleaning your dirty gravel, it can also be sprayed into the wheelbarrow and hosed off. The best thing about using a wheelbarrow for this project is that after the gravel is cleaned, you can easily wheel it to its desired location and then dump it out. As great as the wheelbarrow hack is for cleaning large amounts of gravel at once, you can also scale it down and use a bucket full of holes if you are cleaning a smaller amount of gravel.