Leaf It Alone Need for Sweep: Sub-40 Minute Route Guide

What Need for Sweep Actually Asks For

A Hometown clear at 40:11 or 40:29 gets you nothing, which shows how tight this challenge is. The Leaf it Alone Need for Sweep achievement asks you to "complete the game in under 40 minutes." That means the first map, Hometown, not all three maps. You also don't have to clean every area. The run ends when you reach the Secret Room.

This is a different style of play from a normal playthrough. You clear only the areas that unlock the next step, buy upgrades the moment you can afford them, and keep enough cash on hand for every leaf inlet along the route.

A few rules help before you start:

• Custom Mode counts. Since Patch v1.1.7, achievements can be earned in Custom Mode without Ranked Mode, as long as the default parameters are applied. A default Custom run also skips cutscenes automatically and lets you restart from the Pause Menu. That saves a lot of time between attempts.
• Turn on the built-in timer. Update 1.1 added an in-game timer. It's off by default, so enable it in settings to track your splits.
• Pausing stops the clock. Take breaks from the pause menu, not by stepping away mid-run.
• The end cutscene can be skipped (added in v1.0.14). Skip it the moment it starts.

Official page: Leaf it Alone (eternitygames.net)

The Core Route

Every successful route chains the same unlocks. Each area's completion reward opens the next one:

Image: Steam / Eternity

Step	Area	Why you clear it
1	Porch	Bag tying, so you can throw tied bags at the bin
2	Frontyard or Driveway (or Court)	+0.2 m/s move speed (Court gives Sprint instead) for the garage run
3	Garage run	Hold the shed button, then make it in before the door drops
4	Basement	50% gives +0.25x leaf value; 100% unlocks the Shed roof
5	Shed	100% unlocks the Grill area
6	Pool	50% gives +0.25x leaf value; 100% unlocks the Greenhouse
7	Swings	Crouch, which you need to enter the vent
8	Greenhouse	Unlocks the Secret Room
9	Secret Room vent	Crawl through to finish

You can do Swings and Greenhouse in either order. Doing Swings first gives you Crouch before the Greenhouse, which helps you reach leaves under the benches.

Frontyard, Driveway, or Court?

One speed bonus is enough to reach the garage if you set up the run correctly. Clearing the Court for Sprint works fine for a sub-40 attempt, though it's harder to use for sub-30.

Early Game: Porch and Speed Bonus

The early game decides your run. You have the fewest upgrades here, so every second you save on the Porch and the speed area carries through to the end.

1. As soon as you load in, repair the $0 inlet on the right side of the Porch for quick starting cash.
2. Switch your journal to the Upgrades tab so buying takes one click.
3. Grab Greedy Grasp right away, then alternate Greedy Grasp and Dexterity as money comes in.
4. Buy the Medium Leaf Bag ($0.75) just before the Porch is done.
5. On your speed area, keep upgrading your hands and save up for the Large Leaf Bag ($3.49). Getting the big bag before more glove upgrades means far fewer trips to the bin.

Benchmarks to aim for: the Porch in about 4:30, Porch plus speed area in 10–11 minutes, and standing in the basement by around 10–12 minutes. If you're well behind that, restart rather than grinding out a run that won't make it.

Hand Upgrade Prices

Upgrade	Cost per level	Effect
Greedy Grasp 1–5	$0.10 / $0.50 / $1.75 / $3.50 / $5.75	Pick up 2 → 3 → 5 → 7 → 10 leaves
Dexterity 1–5	$0.25 / $0.75 / $1.50 / $2.75 / $4.50	Pickup interval 0.5s down to 0.2s
Fluid Picker	$0.40	Hold LMB instead of clicking
Medium Leaf Bag	$0.75	200-leaf bag
Large Leaf Bag	$3.49	500-leaf bag

Fluid Picker only saves your finger, not time, so it's optional. Grab it once your hands are maxed in the basement if clicking is wearing you out.

Nailing the Garage Run

This is where most attempts die. Save a backup before you try it. If you miss, exit without saving and reload instead of losing the whole run.

1. Stand right inside the shed doorframe.
2. Hold the garage button until the door is fully open, then press it a few more times.
3. Turn and run immediately. Hug the flower beds next to the porch and aim for the garage corner with the pipe on it.
4. Jump as you go—bunny hopping helps.
5. Look down as you pass under the door.

You'll barely make it through, and sometimes you'll get stuck for no obvious reason. Just reload and go again. Once you're inside, the garage stays open for good.

When you reload, your leaf visibility filter and journal tab reset. Toggle them back on before you continue.

Mid Game: Basement, Shed, and the Rake

• Basement: Start from the back so you don't kick piles around. Head for the bin when your bag is half full. Max out your hands here.
• Buy the Rake ($7.49) on your way to the Shed. You won't use it until the Pool, but this saves a return trip.
• Shed and roof: Use your hands, working back to front, and toss tied bags into the bin as you go. Aim for 2.5–3 minutes.
• Keep $15 for the Pool inlet. Don't spend past that number once you leave the Shed.

When throwing bags, undershooting beats overshooting. A short throw lets you walk over and drop the bag in. A long one sends you past the bin and back. If you need a sure hit, step out of the corner and walk closer.

Pool, Swings, and Greenhouse

The rake carries this half of the run. It's more reliable about where leaves go than the blower.

Pool

1. Repair the inlet the moment you arrive.
2. Drag some easy leaves in first to pay for early rake upgrades.
3. Work from the outside in. Pick up leaves under the loungers by hand and rake everything else down into the pool.
4. Don't try to fully clean each row. Pull everything into one big pile and keep nudging it toward the inlet.
5. Leave with at least $25 for the Greenhouse inlet. Try to finish the Pool by 25–27 minutes.

Rake upgrade order that works: Handle Length 1, then Leaf Stickiness 1. While you sweep, add Leaf Stickiness up to 3, Sweep Radius up to 3, and another Handle Length. Your rake should be fully upgraded by the Greenhouse. Point the rake down early on, because its starting range is short.

Swings: Work from the edges toward the inlet and ignore the swing as much as you can.

Greenhouse: Repair the inlet and clean the exterior first, then the interior, back to front. Use Crouch to reach the leaves under the benches. Close doors behind you so leaves don't drift into other areas.

The Leaf Blower ($49.99) is optional. Skip it if your rake is maxed and finish the Greenhouse with the rake. If you do buy it, upgrade Air Spread once first.

Inlet Costs on the Route

Inlet	Cost
Porch, right side	$0
Pool	$15
Greenhouse	$25

A Sample Split to Race Against

Here's one sub-40 clear that took the Court route and passed through the Maze:

Split	Time
Porch	0:13
Court	4:28
Garage	11:05
Basement	11:27
Shed	15:11
Pool	18:03
Maze	26:02
Swings	28:43
Greenhouse	31:59
Secret Room	38:03

Lost Leaf Traps That Cost Runs

A single missed leaf stalls an area at 99.9% and can burn a minute. Leaves belong to their home area wherever they end up, so a leaf blown through a doorway still counts against its original zone. Keep leaf visibility toggled on the whole run. Common hiding spots include under grill tables, around benches and chairs, in sunflower pots, and along the edge of the shed roof.

FAQ

Does Need for Sweep require all three maps?

No. Finishing Hometown by reaching the Secret Room under 40 minutes is enough.

Can I get it in Custom Mode?

Yes, as long as the default parameters are applied. Since Patch v1.1.7, Ranked Mode no longer has to be on. A default Custom run also auto-skips cutscenes and lets you restart from the Pause Menu.

Do I need the Leaf Blower?

No. A fully upgraded rake handles the Greenhouse fine, and skipping the blower saves $49.99 for inlets and rake upgrades.

What if I fail the garage run?

Reload a backup save made in the shed doorway and try again. Missing it once shouldn't cost you the whole attempt.