How to prepare your lawnmower for winter storage?

Winter is just around the corner, and it's time to prepare your lawnmower for winter storage. Before storing your equipment in a safe place, perform maintenance before a long rest, meticulously clean your lawnmower, grease moving parts, check the condition of the cutting blade before covering your equipment with a protective lawnmower cover.

1) What does winterizing your lawnmower involve?

As temperatures drop, it's no longer suitable for mowing the lawn. Your garden's grass enters a dormant phase, and it's therefore necessary to prepare your mower for a period of "hibernation." The equipment should not be damaged by the vagaries of winter weather. It should then be enveloped in a lawnmower cover and stored in a dry place, away from any elements that could cause corrosion.

Winterizing is thus a good way to keep your mower for as long as possible. But this task should not be taken lightly; certain steps must be followed, starting with removing all accumulated dirt from previous seasons. Any remaining fuel should also be removed to keep your equipment clean and always ready for use as soon as warmer days arrive.

Annual winterization therefore guarantees the long-term reliability of your mower. Before proceeding with the actual pre-winter maintenance, it is important to remove the spark plug if you have a gas-powered mower. If your mower is electric, you need to disconnect the power supply. Cordless mowers need to have their battery removed before preparing them for winter storage.

2) Safety first!

Before you start cleaning your lawnmower, think about its safety and especially your own. The engine must be turned off throughout the entire maintenance period, and you need to ensure that it cannot accidentally restart. Therefore, disconnect all power if it's an electric mower.

Wear appropriate attire to avoid injury during maintenance. Put on a pair of gloves, especially when you need to check the cutting blade or the blade housing. Position your mower so that it cannot move or accidentally tip over to one side or the other, which could pose a danger to you.

3) Cleaning your lawnmower, the essential step

Cleaning is mandatory before storing your equipment in a winter lawnmower cover for a long time. Remove all grass residue that may have adhered to the housing. If you can't do it by hand, use a simple plastic or wooden spatula, but do it gently. Also, check that grass residue has not adhered to your mower's cooling fins or exhaust. After taking all these elements into account, you can start the actual washing simply with a soft brush soaked in water.

If your equipment is dirtier, or if mud splashes remain, use your garden hose with pressure to clean it thoroughly with water. But be careful, this action must be carried out with caution; the water jet should not damage the mower. You must remain vigilant and not spray water directly on the engine, on the seals, or on the bearings of your lawnmower.

In the case of a gas-powered mower, which is more fragile than other types of mowers, it is strongly recommended to tilt it backward after thorough cleaning so that the spark plug is not pointing downwards. Tilting the equipment to one side carries a high risk of engine oil entering your mower's air filter. Also avoid this action to protect the exhaust from any damage that could affect the overall operation of your equipment.

4) Lubrication of parts: how to proceed?

The moving parts of your lawnmower must be lubricated to keep their mechanism intact when you bring it out at the appropriate time after winter storage. The parts that need to be lubricated are those involved in the general operation of the mower. These parts must therefore be absolutely protected against corrosion and possible rust due to water infiltration.

Lithium-based greases are the most recommended for this step of preparing the mower for winter storage. Lithium has the same thick texture as soap and therefore has a double action: cleaning the parts and lubricating them to protect them from humidity. Lithium-based grease also allows parts to resist potential crushing, as the material is thickening.

There are also several consistencies of lithium-based grease: soft, buttery, or semi-soft. Ask for advice at your DIY store to choose the best option for your mower according to its type. Among the main parts of your mower to lubricate are the wheels and axles.

5) The cutting blade: how to check it?

The cutting blade is also a central component of your mower that allows you to have a beautiful outdoor space. After each mow, it's important to clean it, but before winter storage, its maintenance should be more thorough. Check this element very closely to ensure its condition and to prepare it for winter storage so that you can find it in good working order when you retrieve your mower from its storage location.

Carefully check the blade for any cracks or nicks. If present, have it replaced. To properly inspect the blade, you need to remove it completely from its mechanism. If it is still in good condition, it is important to sharpen and balance it. If you don't have the necessary equipment or the DIY skills, call a professional to properly prepare your mower's blade for winter storage. Sharpening is also a maintenance task that should be performed regularly. The blade should therefore be checked regularly at the same time. It is recommended to carry out these maintenance tasks after 25 hours of use to maintain your machine's mowing performance.

After carefully checking, cleaning, and sharpening your mower's cutting blade, protect it against the risks of corrosion and rust by applying a specific product designed especially to preserve it from aggressive agents. Spray products are easier to use and more practical. Apply it to the entire blade before meticulously wiping it with a clean, dry cloth. Then reassemble the blade in the mower, tighten the central nut securely, and move on to the other parts to be maintained.

6) The spark plug: how to prepare it?

The electrodes that make up your lawnmower's spark plug must be kept clean and in good working order throughout the year. But when your equipment is preparing for a long rest, certain precautions must be taken to properly preserve the spark plug.

You need to remove it and check if it needs to be cleaned and especially replaced. A spark plug should indeed be replaced after approximately 100 hours of use. Without proper maintenance, the mower's operation could be affected. After removing and checking the spark plug, it also needs to be greased with engine oil. Gently pour 2 to 3 cubic centimeters into the opening. Then pass the spark plug opening (without the spark plug) into the engine, and pull the starter several times.

7) The air filter: what about its maintenance?

The air filter is also an important component of your lawnmower. It needs to be cleaned and replaced regularly throughout its use. To prepare it for winter storage, you also need to check it before putting the mower away. You therefore need to clean it by starting with removing its cover using a screwdriver.

If your machine has a foam air filter, cleaning it is more than easy. You can simply wash it with warm water and liquid detergent soap. Then wring it out thoroughly before coating it with clean oil. Then wipe everything with a dry cloth.

If your lawnmower is equipped with a paper air filter, its maintenance is even easier. To remove dirt and impurities, all you need to do is tap it lightly after removing its cover. Some mowers are also equipped with a paper air filter doubled with a foam pre-filter, which will then need to be cleaned in the same way as a foam air filter. This type of air filter also wears out more quickly than its single-material counterparts. You therefore need to carefully check its condition for wear and tear to replace it even before winterizing the lawnmower.

8) Properly preparing your lawnmower engine

Crucial steps must be followed for the proper preparation of your lawnmower's engine for winter storage.

The first phase of the operation consists of emptying the fuel tank. If gasoline or diesel remains in the tank, it will lose its flammable properties after a very long winter rest. This situation risks affecting your mower when it starts up.

To properly empty the tank, it is advisable to let the engine run in neutral until it stops on its own. Other tricks also allow you to do this. You can simply use a fuel pump or siphon the remaining fuel with a flexible plastic hose. However, even after mechanically emptying the tank, it is always recommended to let the engine run until it runs out of fuel to ensure that the fuel system is completely empty.

A correct oil level also contributes to the successful winterization of your lawnmower. The equipment must indeed be able to regain all its operational capabilities as soon as you reuse it in the spring. Change the oil as soon as the lawn mowing season ends. Don't wait until after winter storage.

An oil change is therefore necessary before winter storage, as soon as the last mowing is finished. Call a professional oil change service. If you wish to undertake this action yourself, choose your engine oil carefully and follow the operating instructions to the letter. Also, check the oil level of your lawnmower carefully, paying particular attention to the indicator. If your equipment does not have one, do it manually by opening the oil filler cap, removing the dipstick, wiping it thoroughly before re-inserting it into the oil tank. The appearance of the oil also matters beyond its level. It must remain fluid and free of residue.

9) The case of the cordless mower

The maintenance and cleaning of a cordless mower are similar to those of a gas or electric mower. A cordless mower must also be thoroughly cleaned and freed from all traces of dirt. Do not skip the step of greasing moving parts either.

The only difference lies in the removal of its battery and the covering of the contact elements. Never leave your lawnmower's battery discharged before storing it for the winter. It should be charged to no less than 75%. The battery, moreover, must be stored in a separate place, away from humidity and at an ambient temperature of approximately 15°C.

All these elements guarantee the long lifespan of the battery, which you will find in good condition as soon as the lawn mowing season begins. The battery thus retains its autonomy capacity for longer. Some cordless lawnmowers have a fixed battery that you cannot store separately from the machine. In this case, you must cover it with a waterproof lawnmower cover before placing it in a dry and cool place, away from excessive light, humidity, and heat.