Mowing the lawn isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time, but it’s a vital way to keep your grass healthy and your garden looking pretty. If you want your trusty mower to last for years and give your lawn a great cut, it needs a thorough clean between mows.
Cleaning any tool isn’t just about looks, either. Cleaning the dirt, dust, and old grass off your lawnmower will help ensure it works as well as the day it was bought, which is as true for one of our best lawn mowers as it is for an ageing machine.
Dried grass stuck to the underside of the cutting deck will stop the mower from cutting efficiently. When dried grass and clods of earth cover the moving parts, the motor needs to work harder to keep turning. And all that wet grass and mud can corrode parts and even break your mower. Keeping your mower clean between cutting sessions doesn’t take long, so follow these steps for a sparkling lawnmower.
What you need
- Gloves
- Screwdriver
- Plastic scraper
- Cleaning cloths
- Degreaser spray
The short version
- Disable your lawn mower
- Gather your cleaning supplies
- Remove grass and dirt
- Inspect the blade
- Wash with warm soapy water
- Clean the top
- Clean the wheels
Step 1.
Disable your lawn mower
Ensure your mower is disabled before attempting a clean. For battery or mains powered mowers, remove batteries or unplug from the wall, and remove the safety key is present. For petrol-powered mowers, remove a spark plug to avoid accidental starts.
Step 2.
Gather your cleaning supplies
Wearing gloves is essential when dealing with sharp mower blades. Get hold of a stiff brush, old screwdriver, and a plastic scraper to attack those stubborn clumps of grass. Warm, soapy water and cleaning cloths are great, and optionally a degreaser spray for serious dirt.
Step 3.
Remove grass and dirt
Tilt the mower so you have easy access to the underside. You’ll spend most of your time cleaning the deck, as this is where it gets dirtiest. Using the scraper or stiff brush, remove as much grass and other bits of dirt whilst dry.
Step 4.
Inspect the blade
Use this time to also inspect the blade for any damage. if it looks dull, you should sharpen your lawn mower blade; if it’s damaged beyond repair, it will need to be replaced.
Step 5.
Wash with warm soapy water
Once most of the dried on stuff has been scraped or brushed off, dip the cloth into the warm soapy water and get scrubbing. For seriously dirty mowers, use a degreaser spray as well. Be careful not to immerse anything in water though.
Step 6.
Clean the top
Place the mower back down and give the top the same treatment. Clean off any dried grass or dirt, then wipe with a damp, soapy cloth.
Step 7.
Clean the wheels
Check the wheels and their axles for caked on dirt and grass. Use the bristles on your brush to clean everything off and make sure they spin freely.
