- Controls: Simple inputs for pickup, bagging, and sprinting with on-screen prompts.
- Core Loop: Clear leaves to earn cash, buy upgrades, and unlock new property areas.
- Efficiency: Use blowers for open spaces and rakes for corners to maximize speed.
- Progression: Clear specific percentages (100%) in zones to unlock new areas like the garage or pool.
- Goal: Reclaim the entire property from the mysterious leaf infestation by sunset.
Basic Controls and Mechanics
The game features an intuitive control scheme designed for relaxation rather than complex inputs. You start with basic interactions that are immediately explained through small on-screen pop-ups, ensuring you never need to dig through menus to remember how to play.
Video Highlights:
- Visual demonstration of the pickup and bagging mechanics.
- Comparison between hand pickup and rake efficiency.
- How the progress bar tracks your cleaning percentage.
Control Inputs:
| Action | Input/Key | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Move | WASD / Stick | Navigate the property. Sprint unlocks later. |
| Pick Up | E / Button | Grab leaves individually or lift bags. |
| Bag Leaves | Hold / Button | Put gathered leaves into trash bags for sale. |
| Interact | F / Button | Use inlets, buy upgrades, or unlock gates. |
| Sprint | Shift / Toggle | Unlocked after clearing the Basketball Court. |
Don't rely solely on your hands. While picking up leaves by hand works for the tutorial, upgrading to a rake or blower is essential for clearing larger areas like the basketball court or pool efficiently.
Step-by-Step Progression Guide
The property is larger than it appears. You must clear specific areas to unlock new sections, creating a chain of connected spaces. Following an optimal route prevents backtracking and maximizes your leaf value early.
Start at the Porch
Begin by clearing the immediate porch area. Use your hands to gather leaves into small piles and bag them. This introduces the basic economy: leaves equal money. Focus on reaching 100% here to trigger the first unlock.
Clear the Basketball Court
Move to the driveway and court area. This zone is wider, making hand collection tedious. Save cash here to buy your first Rake or Sprint upgrade. Finishing this area is crucial as it unlocks movement speed.
Unlock the Garage and Basement
With sprint unlocked, head to the garage. Clearing this path grants access to the basement. Inside the basement, look for the 25% Leaf Value Boost upgrade. This significantly increases your income per bag.
Access the Shed and Pool
The final major area requires the shed key. Once obtained, you unlock the Grill and Pool area. This zone contains the final 25% Leaf Value Boost and the key to the big wooden gate, leading to the endgame pool cleanup.
You cannot access the pool immediately. You must follow the physical path: Porch -> Court -> Garage -> Basement -> Shed -> Pool. Rushing to the pool without upgrades will make clearing it extremely difficult.
Tools and Upgrades Strategy
Upgrades are not just about power; they change how you interact with the environment. The game keeps the upgrade menu simple, offering only a few items with clear purposes. There are no complex stat sheets to compare—just better tools for the job.
Tool Comparison:
| Tool | Best Use Case | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hands | Small piles, final cleanup | High precision, no cost | Very slow, low capacity |
| Rake | Edges, corners, fences | Good control, gathers groups | Slower than blower in open areas |
| Blower | Open courts, large piles | Extremely fast, moves volume | Bounces off walls, low precision |
| Inlet | Final disposal | Auto-clears massive piles | Stationary, requires setup |
Use the Blower to push the majority of leaves into a central pile. Switch to the Rake to clean up edges where the blower misses. Finally, use your Hands for the last few stragglers to hit that 100% mark.
Upgrade Priority:
- Sprint: Unlocked via the Basketball Court. Essential for reducing travel time.
- Leaf Value Boosts: Found in the Basement and Pool area. Always prioritize these to earn more for the same work.
- Carry Capacity: Allows you to hold more bags, reducing trips to the trash bin.
- Inlet Repair: Necessary for the pool strategy to dump massive amounts of leaves at once.
Advanced Techniques and Speedrunning
While the game is relaxing, it has a hidden layer of depth for those seeking efficiency. Speedrunners utilize specific routes and tool combinations to finish the property in record time. The leaderboard counts every second, making optimization key.
Speedrunning Tips:
| Technique | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Route Planning | Plan your path to minimize walking back and forth. | Saves significant time over long sessions. |
| Bulk Piling | Gather all leaves to one spot before bagging. | Reduces bagging animation frequency. |
| Inlet Dumping | Use the pool inlet to clear 1000s of leaves instantly. | Fastest cleanup method for late game. |
| Audio Cues | Listen for rustling to find hidden leaves. | Prevents searching empty corners. |
The Pool Method
- Dump everything into the center.
- Repair the inlet last.
- Watch the pile vanish instantly.
Squirrel Hunting
- 8 photos hidden across the map.
- Check corners and high places.
- Adds humor to the run.
Sound Awareness
- No music while playing.
- Listen to birds and leaves.
- Immersive feedback for actions.
The game features a dynamic day-night cycle. You start in the bright morning sun, and as you progress, the light shifts to a warm orange sunset, visually representing your hard work.
Completion Checklist
Reaching 100% in every area is the primary goal. The game provides a progress bar for each section, removing the guesswork. However, finding the last few leaves can be tricky.
100% Completion Goals:
- Clear Porch and Entrance (Unlock Sprint)
- Clean Basketball Court completely
- Access Garage and Basement (Unlock Value Boost)
- Find all 8 Squirrel Pictures
- Unlock and Clean the Pool Area
- Repair the Pool Inlet for final cleanup
- Reach 100% on the entire property
FAQ
Q: What are the controls for Clean All the Leaves?
The controls are simple: use movement keys (WASD) to walk, 'E' to pick up leaves, and hold the interaction button to bag them. The game provides pop-up reminders for these inputs. Sprinting is unlocked later by clearing the Basketball Court.
Q: How do I unlock the Pool area?
The Pool is the final area. You must clear the Porch, Basketball Court, Garage, and Basement first. This progression unlocks the Shed, which grants access to the Grill and Pool area.
Q: Why can't I reach 100% in a zone?
Leaves can be hidden in corners or against fences. Use the rake to pull leaves away from walls. If you are stuck, listen for the leaf rustling sound to locate hidden piles.
Q: Is there a wrong upgrade to buy?
Not really. All upgrades serve a purpose. However, buying the **Leaf Blower** too early might be frustrating in tight areas like the Basement. It is best used in open spaces like the Basketball Court.