This ‘gimmicky’ Shark cleaning tool has now become my go-to gardening essential — here’s why

(Image credit: Future) When it comes to house chores, vacuuming has got to be the one task that I often do (and find weirdly satisfying).And since I review the best vacuum cleaners for a living, I’ve got the bonus of testing out the latest models on my hardwood, tiles, and carpet to see which one can ultimately get my floors spotless and dust-free in no time.From bagged and upright to cordless and air-blasting handhelds, I’ve tested them all. But when the Shark BlastBoss came my way, I found a new use for it altogether – and it wasn’t for cleaning.Despite looking like a retro hair dryer, the BlastBoss is exactly that — it’s a powerful, air-blasting system that can be used to blast away cobwebs, dustballs, or loosen debris and leaves in seconds.In fact, the adjustable-speed trigger can ramp up the airflow up to an eye-watering 190mph. What's more, it comes with attachments including a broom brush for scrubbing outdoor surfaces.But while it serves as an impressive cleaning tool for shifting ingrained dirt, this has surprisingly become my gardening must-have.Here’s how I’ve put my handheld BlastBoss to use outdoors.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.Blowing grass clippings Shark BlassBoss blowing clippings (Image credit: Future)If there is one outdoor task that I find particularly tedious, it’s raking the lawn after a fresh mow — especially the struggle of catching those stray clippings that always seem to end up on my paved patio.I simply switched the setting to ‘Outdoor’ and was literally blown away by its sheer power. It effortlessly cleared the clippings in seconds, allowing me to gather everything into a single pile for a far more efficient clean-up.Just bear in mind that you’ll need dry conditions for this to work effectively, as it won’t shift wet or soggy clippings.Or if you really want to put your clippings to good use, check out why you should be leaving grass clippings on your lawn after mowing.A handy leaf blower Shark BlastBoss blowing leaves (Image credit: Future)At the back of my garden, the overgrown trees are often shedding foliage — resulting in a messy carpet of leaves scattered across the patio and lawn.Rather than investing in a bulky, expensive leaf blower, I found the BlastBoss works as a surprisingly good alternative for clearing away my fallen leaves.I was able to blast them into a tidy heap where it was easier for me to dispose of them in my compost bin. What's more, this task was quick and fuss-free, which is always a bonus.Clearing debris/ weeds Shark BlastBoss and garden debris (Image credit: Future)Similarly, this powerful gadget proved brilliant for corralling stray weeds and general outdoor detritus.After the arduous job of pulling out weeds from between my front paving stones, I used the powerful airflow to blast the remnants into a single heap for a far easier clear-up.Not only did this make sure that all the weeds were in one spot (easy for me to spot), but made it a far more tidy-looking space.For more weeding tips, I asked professional gardeners how to get rid of weeds from my lawn permanently — and they all say this one thing.Gardening essentials we love Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Subscribe to Tom's Guide on YouTube and follow us on TikTok.More from Tom's GuideCan I keep my used potting soil for spring, or should I throw it out? Here's what you need to know7 rain-loving plants that will thrive in soggy soil5 benefits of composting and how it can enrich more than your yard As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features. Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many. With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!