How to Winterize Your Lawn Mower in 8 Easy Steps, According to Lawn Care Specialists A little prep now means fewer headaches in spring. Close Credit: Mike Hill Photography / Getty Images Key Points Taking time to winterize your lawn mower protects your investment, saves money on repairs, and ensures easy spring start-ups.Key steps include cleaning the mower, removing or stabilizing fuel, changing oil, and protecting metal parts from rust.Proper storage—indoors when possible, or outside with a waterproof cover—keeps your mower safe from dampness, chemicals, and corrosion. You’ve cut the grass for the last time and now it’s time to put away the lawn mower until spring. However, instead of simply parking the piece of equipment and forgetting about it, there are some routine steps you need to perform first. “If you skip winter prep entirely, your mower’s likely to suffer,” says Skye Durrant, founder of LawnGuru, a platform that connects homeowners with top-tier landscaping pros. “Old fuel can lead to carburetor issues and moisture buildup can cause rust—especially under the deck. All of that leads to poor performance, harder starts in spring, costly repairs, and ultimately a shorter lifespan for the mower.” If you're not up for the task, Durrant suggests looking for a local engine repair shop. “Many offer winterization packages,” he says, “and some will even come to your house to perform the service on site.” However, if you want to perform the winter prep yourself, our experts are here to walk you through the process. Skye Durrant, founder of LawnGuru, a platform connecting homeowners with local landscapers Chris Ramos, gardening expert at Blain's Farm & Fleet Chrissie Handley, lawn care specialist and gardening expert at North West Turf Ltd 6 Signs You Need to Sharpen Your Lawn Mower Blade for Healthier, Tidier Grass 01 of 08 Remove and Clean the Spark Plugs This is an important first step, according to Chris Ramos, gardening expert at Blain's Farm & Fleet. “Removing the spark plugs prevents the lawn mower from accidentally kick-starting while you’re working on it, which can cause serious injury,” he warns. “If the spark plugs are corroded or worn, replace them. Otherwise, clean your current ones.” 02 of 08 Empty or Stabilize the Gas Credit: triocean / Getty Images Fuel left in the tank can go bad and cause headaches next spring. “It’s always a good idea to either run the mower until it’s completely empty,” Durrant says, “or you can top it off with fresh gas and fuel stabilizer, then let it run for a few minutes so the treated fuel cycles through the system.” 03 of 08 Clean Thoroughly Use a brush, hose, or pressure washer to remove grass clippings, dirt, and debris from the deck and blades. “For stubborn buildup, a putty knife can be helpful,” Ramos says. “If you leave the buildup over the winter, it can cause the mower to rust.” 04 of 08 Empty the Mower Bag Credit: beekeepx / Getty Images Durrant always makes sure to empty the mower bag after each cut. “Leaving a full bag of clippings over the winter can lead to a bag of unpleasant surprises come spring,” he warns. 05 of 08 Lubricate Any Moving Parts Spray a lubricant like WD-40 on moving parts to help prevent rust over the winter. “I’ll normally spray things like cables and pivot points,” Durrant says, “and then move them around to work the lubricant in before wiping away any excess.” 06 of 08 Protect the Undercarriage Credit: schulzie / Getty Images Apply a thin coat of oil or silicone spray to the mower’s undercarriage to prevent rust, Ramos instructs. “This step is especially important if you store your mower in a damp environment.” 07 of 08 Change the Oil Old oil can corrode parts and reduce efficiency. “Drain the old oil, and replace it with fresh oil appropriate for your mower model,” Ramos says. “Be sure to properly dispose of used oil.” 08 of 08 Store Properly Credit: Cappi Thompson / Getty Images Once you’ve performed your essential tasks, it's best to store your mower inside. “Damp, cold storage conditions make for an unhappy mower,” warns Chrissie Handley, lawn care specialist and gardening expert. “It can lead to rusted metal components, and your machine will not last as long as it should. If you must store the mower outside, invest in a waterproof cover and try to elevate it from the ground to encourage airflow. “That way, the mower won’t sit in water, which will minimize the chance of rusting,” explains Handley. Keep your lawn mower away from corrosive materials such as cleaners, fertilizers, and other chemicals, Ramos notes. “They can ruin the lawn mower if spilled on the mower deck,” he says. “It’s also best to keep the mower on a flat surface to avoid oil leaks and other potential issues.” How to Prepare Your Houseplants for Winter After a Summer Outside A Word About Electric Mowers Steps like cleaning the deck, lubricating moving parts, and storing the mower in a dry place still apply to electric mowers. If you’re using any water or oil to winterize, Handley says to keep any liquids away from your electric mower’s motor or vents. And, while you may not have to worry about gas, battery care is especially important for electric mowers. Ramos suggests the following best practices for your lawn mower’s battery over the winter. Disconnect and Store the Battery: Remove the battery, clean the terminals, and store the battery in a cool, dry place to avoid freezing.Charge Regularly: Charge the battery monthly to maintain its health throughout the off-season. Why Proper Winter Care Is So Important A mower that’s prepped for winter lasts longer, runs better, and starts up easily in the spring. "My advice comes from years of firsthand experience," shares Durrant. "And not just running businesses, but being in the yard, testing equipment, and solving the same problems most homeowners face." Come spring, you won't have much more to do besides sharpening the blades and cleaning the filter before starting your mower and getting to trimming. As Durrant says, "it’s all about protecting your equipment and making life easier the next time you go to use it." Explore more: Garden Landscaping