A clean lawn mower is essential for keeping your garden at its best and ensuring the longevity of your machinery. A build-up of grass and dirt is inevitable over the growing season. However, with our expert advice, you can keep your mower’s performance in top form while maintaining your garden to the highest standards. We recommend giving your lawn mower a good clean after every use and an occasional deep clean for maximum efficiency for as long as possible.
Our range of quality lawnmowers is guaranteed to set you and your garden up for success with brands including STIHL and Weibang. After the first use of your favourite product, you will want to keep it looking and performing its best, as the results are too good to skip!
Table of Contents
- Should you clean a lawn mower after every use?
- How to clean a lawn mower
- How to deep clean a lawn mower
- Should you hose off a lawn mower?
- Which way do you tip a lawn mower to clean underneath?
Should you clean a lawn mower after every use?
Simply, yes. However, there are different methods of cleaning your lawn mower. While you will always need to give your mower a quick once-over after cutting the grass, a thorough cleaning every once in a while is necessary.
How to clean a lawn mower
Ridding your mower of dirt and debris after every use helps your cutting blade remain in great condition, as preventing such materials from hardening minimises the effectiveness of your mower overall. Putting extra time into a quick clean makes a huge impact in the long run.
Equipment
Before you begin, ensure you have the following equipment:
- Gloves
- A silicone or wooden spatula
- A cloth
- A brush
Why not try out some of our specialist cleaning products? While the STIHL Multiclean Spray is good for sparkling results, the STIHL Clean & Care Kit for iMOW and Lawnmowers has most of the cleaning equipment you need in one place!
Step 1: Identify your lawn mower type
Establish the type of lawn mower you have, as this will determine certain factors of the cleaning process.
|
Lawn Mower Type |
Cleaning Guidance |
|
Petrol |
Petrol mowers require meticulous cleaning, as dirt can easily access the air filter and spark plug due to the combustion engine. |
|
Electric |
Dry cleaning your electric lawn mower ensures good upkeep as it minimises moisture from accessing the motor. |
|
Cordless |
Keep the battery of your cordless mower safe after cleaning by storing it in a cool, dry environment. |
Step 2: Turn the power of your lawn mower off
Once you have established your lawn mower type, it is crucial to turn off the power to ensure a safe cleaning experience.
While your electric lawn mower should be switched off and removed from the power supply, the spark plug of a petrol lawn mower should be removed, as well as the battery of a battery lawn mower. You must also check that no other power source could cause the mower to turn on unexpectedly.
Step 3: Clean the grass collection box
Carefully detach the grass collection box from your lawn mower. Once emptied, remove any leftover grass clippings with a brush. The same process can be followed to clean the surrounding areas of the lawn mower when the grass collection box is off.
Step 4: Wipe down your lawn mower’s exterior
Dampen a cloth and wipe down the outer parts of your lawn mower. Apply extra pressure or use a second brush to combat stubborn dirt build-ups.
Step 5: Put your lawn mower in the cleaning position
The cleaning position of different mower models will vary, so it is important to check the instruction manual to ensure you do this correctly. The spark plug should be pointed upwards for petrol lawnmowers to prevent oil spills, which will significantly damage the engine and carburettor.
Step 6: Scrape down the underside of your mower
Use a brush and scraper to tackle the dirt on and around the blade. While the scraper is key for removing dirt easily, doing this straight after using your lawn mower will be much more time-effective. Be careful when cleaning your mower’s blade; the recommended cleaning products above will be handy during this step.
Step 7: Safely store your lawn mower
When happy with your cleaning results, safely store your lawn mower in a shed or garage. Remove the battery from cordless lawnmowers and store it separately to prevent damage to the compartment.
How to deep clean a lawn mower
If regular cleaning is done after every use, your lawn mower should be deep-cleaned after approximately 25 hours. However, this timeframe may vary depending on the time of year and the function of your mower, such as for domestic or professional purposes.
Generally, many of the steps from the previous section can be followed when deep cleaning your mower; ensuring the power is turned off should always be a priority. However, this type of cleaning is much more rigorous to keep your mower performing its best. Here are the main things to check and clean when deep cleaning your lawn mower.
Ensure the utility of your cutting blade
Checking the quality of your cutting blade during every deep clean is important, as it will wear over time. If your blade has never been replaced, look for cracks or bluntness, as these require resharpening.
Your blade will need replacing if it has worn down to the limit, which is outlined in the instruction manual. Assess your blade during every type of cleaning, as it should be swapped when it begins approaching the wear limit. Failure to do so will minimise the quality and lifespan of your mower.
While guidance on removing the blade can be found in your mower’s instruction manual, you can also take it to a professional for inspection, sharpening and replacement.
Wash your grass collection box
Remove the grass collection box from your mower and wash it with a hose. Add detergent to the box or use a specific STIHL cleaning solution for tougher dirt. Dry the box thoroughly before refitting it into your mower.
Clear the air filter
Your air filter will build up with dirt and discolour over time due to purifying air from the carburettor. While it should undergo a replacement occasionally, regular maintenance will help it last longer. Use a paintbrush to clear the dirt, or use compressed air for more thorough results.
Clean the spark plug
Cleaning your spark plug is simple with a lint-free cloth. However, two main indicators of needing a new spark plug are:
- Your mower is struggling to gain power.
- There are clear signs of wearing on your mower.
If either of the above applies to your mower, it is worth buying a replacement. On average, you will require a new spark plug every three years. However, frequency and purpose of use may alter this.
Should you hose off a lawn mower?
You can use a garden hose to clean down your mower. However, the water pressure should be kept to a minimum. Avoid using any other high-pressure equipment, as this will damage your machinery.
A hose can be used when washing your grass collection box. Complete this step away from any electrical equipment.
Which way do you tip a lawn mower to clean underneath?
Tipping your lawn mower to clean the underside is called the cleaning position. There is not one universal cleaning position for mowers, so it is important to check the instructions specific to your model.
Shop our quality range of lawnmowers at Gustharts!
Why not give your grass the love and care it deserves with one of our top-quality lawnmowers from Gustharts? Our selection caters to all purposes and functions, whether you need a small to medium lawnmower for your garden or ride-on lawnmowers for the beautiful, vast landscapes professionally maintained by your business.
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