Cleaning your lawn mower. 9 ways to get the most out of your lawn mower

How to Clean Your Lawnmower Deck and Blade with BKF

Knowing how to clean your lawnmower deck and blade is essential. It’s summertime, the flowers are in bloom, the birds singing, the cicadas are … cicada-ing, and the grass is growing. It seems like every week; it needs to be mowed again. (According to experts, depending on your climate, rainfall, and type of grass, it needs cut every 5 to 7 days). With all that mowing, your lawnmower is bound to get dirty, grimy, and clumped up with decomposing grass. That’s where BKF can help.

How to Clean Your Lawnmower Deck and Blade

Dirty equipment of any kind can lead to problems. If you have a residential lawnmower, you know how grimy the mower deck can get. Left uncleaned, grass will build up, creating problems. Not only can the grass and grime impede the operation of the mower, generating performance issues, but it can also structurally damage the mower deck and blade, causing permanent damage.

Here’s How to Clean Your Lawnmower Deck with BKF

• Empty the mower of all gasoline
• Turn the mower on its side, exposing the inside of the deck
• Spray the deck thoroughly with a hose. Your garden hose will work fine, no need for a power wash
• Clean the interior of the deck with a soft-bristled brush
• Dampen the deck using the hose
• Spray BKF MORE Spray Foam. Using the foam setting, the cleanser will adhere to both vertical and horizontal sides of the deck.
• Allow it to sit for one minute
• Use the soft brush to clean and wipe away foam
• Rinse with the hose

Knowing how to clean your lawnmower deck and blade helps you avoid, rust, reduced performance, and prevent grass build-up. Keep in mind the longer you wait to clean your deck, the harder it will be to clean.

How Often Should You Clean the Mower Deck?

Most manufactures recommend twice a year. Some suggest spring, fall, and two times during the season. I clean my mower deck every other mowing.

Pro Tip: Lightly spray some vegetable oil onto the deck after cleaning. It makes it more difficult for grass clippings to stick.

Cleaning the Blade

I find it’s easiest to clean the blade while I’m cleaning the deck. Since you’ve already emptied the gas, sat it in its side, and have everything you need. However, if you don’t want to do it simultaneously, here’s the procedure.

• Tip the mower on its side
• Spray with hose
• Spray the blade with BKF MORE Spray Foam.
• Let it sit one minute
• Use a soft brush to clean
• Rinse with hose
• Wipe with a soft cloth or paper towel

Pro Tip: While cleaning your mower blade, if you notice any damage such as bending or missing chunks, replace the blade. If it’s cracked, do not use it until the blade is replaced. Do not chance a piece of the blade breaking off during operation.

In this post, we’ve concentrated on how to clean your lawnmower deck and blade because the operating parts of your mower affect the performance of your machine. However, you can use BKF on other parts of your mower.

Although many BKF fans use our products on painted metal surfaces, we don’t recommend it. It’s possible BKF products could dull or fade the finish. If you’re set on trying BKF on your mower’s painted surfaces, do a spot test first on a small out-of-the-way area.

You can use BKF on unpainted metal surfaces and plastic components of your lawn mower.

A clean mower not only looks good and inspires pride, but it also performs at a higher level. Here’s to a clean mower, a beautiful lawn, and a happy summer.

About the Author

Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek and on weekends (after COVID-19) he can be found fronting the Rock Roll Band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two educators; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook: A crash course in effective management.

ways to get the most out of your lawn mower

Spring is officially here, and with it, our lawns need some care and attention. One chore which gets reintroduced at this time of year is cutting the grass. The time has come to wheel your lawn mower out of storage and get it ready for action. The trouble is, lawn mowers need as much care and maintenance as the lawn itself. Neglect your lawn mower, and you will soon notice the performance degrading.

A poorly maintained lawn mower, or a poor method in using it, can result in damage to your lawn. So it’s essential that you take care of this machine. Getting the best performance from your lawn mower can help you achieve greener grass. It can also prevent damage and save you from learning how to plant grass seed. If you’re keen to give your lawn mower some TLC, we’ve rounded up 9 ways to get the most out of your lawn mower.

Sharpen the blade

First, you’ll need to learn how to sharpen lawn mower blades and recognize when this chore needs to be done. Lawn mower blades should be sharpened after about 25 hours of use, so if your grass requires two hours to cut, and you cut it once a week, you will need to sharpen the blade after about three months of use.

You can tell when the blade needs sharpening because it will reflect on the quality of the grass you cut — it will be torn or shredded rather than cut cleanly. A dull blade can also damage the root system of your grass, ultimately killing it. Failing that, you can tell if a blade is dull or damaged just by looking at it. If it’s chipped or dented, it needs sharpening.

To sharpen a lawn mower blade, you need to remove it from the machine and clean it before carefully sharpening it with either a metal file, a drill-powered blade sharpener or an electric angle grinder. You then need to refit it, making sure it’s balanced. For step-by-step guidance, check out how to sharpen lawn mower blades. Don’t skip this task, because at the very least it will result in a messy lawn.

Cut on the right day

You can’t cut the grass on just any old day; you need to make sure the conditions are right for the best results. In short, don’t cut the grass when it’s wet outside. The grass will tear as you mow it and the cuttings are more likely to stick to and jam the mower. Even if it hasn’t rained, make sure there’s no residual moisture from the day before as the performance will still struggle.

You can check the conditions by having a feel of the grass with your hand. If your hand comes away damp, it’s too wet, but if it’s dry, you’re good to go. You could alternatively take a quick walk over your lawn and check how damp the underside of your shoes are before making a judgement call. Don’t mow in muddy conditions — your lawn mower can stick and you can easily damage the grass. Always mow on solid ground when it’s dry outside.

Cut in the right direction

Whatever you do, don’t mow the entire lawn in the same direction. As you pass over the grass, it will naturally bend as it’s cut. And by bending all of your grass in the same direction, you’re essentially flattening it and growing it at an angle. Alternate your direction as you cut the grass — cutting in rows is a good way to do this. That way, the grass will be able to grow vertically and it will have more spring to its growth.

If you want to create a striped lawn, you’re going to need to pass over the grass in the same direction (alternating rows), using the rear roller on your mower. For full guidance, see how to stripe your lawn.

Cut to the right length

Cutting your grass to the correct length is essential when using your lawn mower. Cut off too much and it can hinder the health of your lawn. Because there’s less surface area on each blade of grass, its ability to photosynthesize is impaired, which damages the overall growth. Should you scalp areas of your lawn due to an uneven surface, you will leave it vulnerable to weeds and pests as well. So, even if you think a short cut will give you more time before you need to pick up the lawn mower again, don’t do it.

Experts recommend cutting your grass to 2½. 3 inches in height to maintain a healthy lawn. As a general rule, don’t cut more than a third from the total height of the grass. This will provide a neat appearance without impairing its health. Some grasses can be cut shorter, but it depends on the type and variety. Bermudagrass for instance, can be cut down to one inch. Ask for guidance on your grass type at your local garden center.

Clean it

Just like every appliance, your lawn mower needs cleaning once in a while — especially the deck, where grass and dirt collects. Power off the lawn mower and drain the gas (if applicable) before you attempt to clean it. If it’s battery-powered, remove the battery, or disconnect the spark plug for gas models. Then carefully tip it on its side, while keeping the air filter and carburetor upright.

Now, while wearing safety gloves and using a stiff-bristled brush, such as the Harrison Greys Scrubbing Brush (14.99, Amazon), dislodge and scrub away any grass or dirt which has wedged itself in the deck. Take care around the stationary blade — you can wipe this with a damp microfiber cloth if necessary. You can also use warm soapy water to wash away any dirt from the deck, and then rinse afterwards with a garden hose. Make sure the lawn mower has dried completely before you reconnect the power and attempt to use it again.

You should clean your lawn mower deck as often as required, but twice a season is recommended by most.

Make sure it’s stored correctly

While you might just be getting your lawn mower out of storage, it’s important that you store it correctly between uses. It should never be left outdoors unless it’s protected or covered with a waterproof layer — otherwise, the rain can lead to rust, and the lifespan will ultimately be reduced. Ideally, you should store your lawn mower in a dry and cool space, such as a shed or garage. It should have a dedicated spot here, so it’s easy to access.

For long-term storage off-season, you will need to take a few more steps to prep your lawn mower. If you have a gas-powered motor, you will need to drain the fuel; if it’s a battery-powered model, disconnect the power supply and store the battery where it won’t get too hot or too cold. Storing your lawn mower properly will help it last longer and maintain its performance. For step-by-step guidance, see how to store a lawn mower and protect it through the winter.

Apply oil

This point applies to gas-powered lawn mowers. As these contain running engines, they will require fresh oil to help lubricate and cool the movements. Oil is stored on board the lawn mower and it will gradually deplete with everyday use. As such it requires regular checking between uses and topping up when necessary. You can check the levels via the dipstick.

When the lawn mower has cooled and powered off, simply locate the oil cap near to the engine — it will have an oil symbol displayed. Unscrew the cap, remove the dipstick, and wipe this with a microfiber cloth before re-inserting it and screwing the cap back on. Once you’ve done this, remove the dipstick once again to confirm the oil level. It should be between the low and full marks. If it’s low, you need to add more oil.

Lawn mowers tend to require 10W30 motor oil to function, but your user manual should list which exact grade you need. Add fresh oil gradually to the crankcase if required, but do so slowly and continue checking the level with the dipstick.

Should the oil on the dipstick appear dirty when you check it, you will need a full oil change. This is recommended every 50 hours of use. To do this, you will need to drain the old oil first before applying fresh oil. Never overfill your lawn mower with oil, otherwise it can be slow to start, vent white smoke in use as well as leak excess oil.

How to Clean a Lawn Mower Grass Bag

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A well maintained lawn mower is going to last a long time, and this applies to the grass bag too. Grass bags have a simple but important function, and basic maintenance is all that is needed. In this guide you will find out how to properly clean a lawn mower grass bag.

Turn the lawn mower off, disconnect the bag and remove all the grass clippings. Spray the inside and outside with water and brush the dirt off. Rinse with water and let the bag dry under the sun before reattaching to the lawn mower.

Clean a Lawn Mower Bag Step by Step

The process is very simple and should not take long. Caring and maintaining the bag is a part of lawn mower maintenance and should be done regularly. And as you will see it is very straightforward.

Required Tools and Materials

• Air compressor or leaf blower (we prefer the Black and Decker LB700 leaf blower)
• Pressure washer or garden hose
• Soft brush
• Hard steel brush (the Warner brush is fine)
• To remove stains on the grass bag, you will need:
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Baking soda
• Dish detergent or vinegar
• Spoon
• Mixing bowl or container

If you are going to replace the lawn mower spark plug chances are the rest of the machine needs maintenance. While you are at it, might as well clean the bag.

The basic steps are:

• Empty the grass bag.
• Loosen any stuck debris on the bag.
• Pressure wash the bag.
• Brush off any remaining dirt and wash again.

Step 4. Loosen Stuck Debris

It is not unusual to see leaves and dirt stuck onto the bag. This will definitely happen if you mow wet grass, but debris, dirt and other stuff clog grass bags during dry days too.

A few bits here and there is not a problem, but if you let it accumulate could lead to performance slowdown. Follow these steps to eliminate stuck materials on lawn mower bags.

Hold the empty bag with one hand over an even surface. Use a leaf blower to blow air on outside of the bag until the debris come off. You may also use an air compressor if it is equipped with a nozzle. No matter what you use, use the lowest setting to avoid ripping the bag.

When the bag exterior is free of dirt, turn it inside out and do the same for the interior. It is important to get rid of as much dirt as possible before hosing it down. You may use a soft brush to scrub stubborn grime off.

Step 5. Water the grass bag

You have two choices: a garden hose or pressure washer. If you opt for a pressure washer, use the lowest psi possible. Increase it only if the remaining dirt will not come off.

Pressure washers are ideal for canvas grass lawn mower bags. They are durable and can handle the water coming from the washer. If yours is made from nylon or other light materials, use a garden hose instead.

The washing process is the same as when you removed the debris from the pores. Start with the exterior then turn the bag inside out to wash the interior. Water the bag well but careful not to apply too much pressure.

Once you are done washing, examine the bag. If it looks dirt free, you are done. Let it dry. If there are still some dirt left, proceed to step 6.

Step 6. Brushing the dirt away

For the remaining dirt, brush it off. Use a toothbrush or any soft brush. Do not use brushes with hard bristles because it could tear the fabric. Scrub thoroughly but carefully.

When you are finished, wash the bag one more time. Repeat the process as you did earlier, start from the outside and then the inside.

The final step is to set the bag down on an even surface and let it dry under the sun. This can take a few hours or more depending on the weather. Turn the bag inside out when you dry so it does not get moldy.

How to Remove Lawn Mower Bag Stains

The method above works fine most of the time, but what if there are stains? Over time, mold and mildew may stick to the bag, giving it an unsightly appearance and smell.

In some instances hosing is enough. If that does not work you can use a pressure washer. But nylon mower bags may not be strong enough to withstand the pressure. A better option is to use a cleaning solution.

You will need:

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Baking soda
• Dish detergent
• Spoon
• Mixing bowl or container

Pour the dish detergent into the container and add the hydrogen peroxide. Mix well and add the baking soda to thicken the mix.

Dip your brush into the paste and scrub the stain. Repeat if necessary. Do this for every stain on the bag. Check the interior for any stains and brush them as well. When you are done, let the grass bag dry.

How to Get Rid of Mold on Mower. If mold has built up, you can remove it using vinegar and baking soda. Pour the baking soda into a container and add a spoonful of vinegar. Add more vinegar if you want the solution a bit thicker.

Once the mix has reached the consistency you prefer, dip a piece of cloth into it. Wipe the mold off with this cloth. Keep wiping until the stains are gone then allow the bag to go dry.

I love the outdoors and all the tools for maintaining gardens, yards and lawns. The only thing I am more passionate about is sharing what I know about garden and outdoor equipment.

How to Clean Your Lawn Mower for Best Performance

Keeping your lawn mower clean will extend the longevity and performance of your equipment. When you get done mowing you need to remove the debris from the mower. It’s always a good idea to periodically wash your mower to keep it in good working condition and looking good.

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Follow all safety instructions provided in your equipment operator’s manual before diagnosing, repairing, or operating. Consult a professional if you don’t have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely.

Using a Pressure Washer to Clean Lawn Mower

With the availability and affordability of pressure washers, they have become standard household tools these days. A pressure washer is great to have on hand, but you must be choosy about what you use them on.

They work great for washing the sidewalk and the deck to make them look new again, but they can damage other items when used in a high-pressure setting.

Is it a good idea to use a pressure washer to clean your lawn mower? It is a good idea to use a pressure washer. If you choose to use a pressure washer be careful not to run your pressure washer at a high setting and be careful washing sensitive areas of your mower like around the engine and your deck bearings.

Steps to Clean Your Lawn Mower

1: Remove Grass Debris from Lawn Mower

The easiest way I have found to remove debris is by using a leaf blower. It works wonders and is very quick. Park your mower in an area outside where you don’t care if you make a mess.

Make sure you wear your safety glasses because dirt and grass will be blown all over the place and you will want to protect your eyes. Start your leaf blower and begin to blow the extra grass, dirt, and leaves off of the mower.

If you don’t have a leaf blower and you have a compressor in your garage, you can use that if you have a blow gun on it. You can also you a soft brush if you don’t have a blower or compressor available. Choose a brush that will not scratch the finish of your mower.

2: Choose Washing Method Soap

Never wash your mower while the engine is hot. It’s never a good idea to spray cold water on a hot engine. So once your engine has cooled, you can begin to wash the lawn mower.

If your pressure washer allows you to add soap to the unit, it’s a good idea to do some research on the soaps available for your pressure washer. Some soaps will be harsh on the paint and plastic on some mowers so you will want to find a mild soap that won’t harm your paint.

If your pressure washer doesn’t have a soap dispenser, you will have to manually add soap to your mower. The best thing to do is spray your mower down to get it really wet. Add soap to a wet sponge and wipe down the mower.

I find a good mild dish soap with a grease-cutting agent works well when wiping down manually. I like Dawn dish detergent which can be purchased at your local hardware or grocery store. DO NOT ADD dish detergent to your pressure washer.

3: Clean the Top of Engine

Let’s begin our washing off the lawn mower by starting at the top of the engine and around the recoil housing. This area can take a little bit of water, but not too much. Keep the pressure low if you can.

If you can’t control the pressure just pull or step back a little bit so you’re not hitting it with full force. Move along to the side and front of the engine keeping in mind that water and the carburetor don’t mix.

4: Clean the Top of Your Mower Deck

Continue to move from the engine area to spray off the top of the deck and the wheels. Now most mowers don’t have greaseable wheels so we will need to tend to them once we get done washing the mower.

If you have a riding mower or a lawn tractor, washing the deck can be a bit tricky. The lawn mower deck will have covers on top of the deck to protect the belt that runs the blades.

Washing a deck can be more temperamental than you may think because you have bearings you need to worry about. The bearings are sealed, but not against high pressure.

You want to keep water out of these specially sealed places. You shouldn’t use a pressure washer in this area. Instead, use a garden hose and rinse off the deck around the spindle housings and pulleys.

5: Clean Underneath Your Mower Deck

Cleaning the underside of the lawn mower deck is going to be a messy part of the cleanup process. You will want to do this process away from your driveway and the nice part of your yard.

Find a place that will not be in your normal pathway to access your house. It’s best to find an area that is out of sight if possible.

• Push Mower – It’s not too bad to access the underside of the deck. You can set the mower front end up on a jack stand or something firm to hold the deck up so you can clean it.
• Riding Mower or Lawn Tractor – Gaining access to the deck on these mowers is a little more challenging. First, you will need to get the tractor up in the air so you can get under the deck. If you have a floor jack and jack stands this will not be too bad.

• Zero Turn Mower – It’s hard to get access to the underside of a zero-turn mower. I use a Jungle Jim’s lift jack from Amazon to prop up my mower.

Some manufacturers place a deck washout port on their mower decks. In theory, this sounds like a nice feature, but often the port is plugged, and it is an extremely messy feature.

Some homeowners like it, but many do not. If you choose to use it make sure you are using this feature away from any structures and in an area of the yard you are not going to visibly see.

To use the deck washout feature, you will hook up a garden hose to the deck and turn on the water supply. You will sit on the tractor, start it up and engage the deck. Water will be spinning off the blades as it tries to wash all the grass and dirt off from the underside of the mower deck.

While the blades are throwing the water everywhere you can imagine the water, grass, and dirt are going everywhere. Be prepared for this. Some push mowers have this feature as well.

6: Rinse Dry Off Mower

Rinse the lawn mower and let it air dry or you can use your leaf blower to dry it off. Once the mower is dry you will want to go over a few more things on your mower before you place it back in storage before your next mowing.

I like to leave my lawn mower sitting outside on a nice hot sunny day to let the water evaporate by the heat and wind to help dry it out.

For more details on cleaning your lawn mower refer to our article, “How to Clean Your Mower for Best Performance“.

7: Lubricate Lawn Mower

You will want to lubricate your lawn mower to prevent rusting and erosion from occurring on your mower from water.

• Push Mower Use WD40 or an equivalent lubricant to use on the wheel axles and cables that have gotten water in them so they don’t rust later.
• Riding Mower Zero Turn Use WD40 or an equivalent lubricant to us on cables and seat hinges. Grease the steering and deck before putting the mower away.

Routine Maintenance on Your Mower

It is necessary to perform routine services on your lawn mower. For the average homeowner, a service should be completed, at minimum, 2 times per mowing season.

If you have a large mower and you are putting a significant number of hours on your mower, make sure you change your engine oil every 50 hours. Check your owner’s manual for the correct interval for changing your hydraulic fluid if your mower requires a hydraulic filter and fluid change.

For additional information on steps, you need to take to service your mower, select one of the following.

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Lawn Mower Carburetor: When and How to Clean

Few pieces of home maintenance equipment work as hard as your lawnmower. Despite its rough-and-tumble life, though, many lawnmowers don’t get the care and attention they need.

This is especially true when it comes to the lawnmower’s carburetor. Your lawnmower’s carburetor is a critical component for functionality and will be the thing that determines whether your lawnmower works for years or conks out early.

With that in mind, learning to clean your lawn mower carburetor is a critical part of preventative maintenance. Here’s what you need to know.

When Should you Inspect and Clean a Lawnmower Carb?

While the exact recommendations for this vary from household to household, most experts say you should check and clean a lawnmower carb at least a few times a year.

The reason for this is simple: as you use your lawnmower, the grass, twigs, and debris the blade kicks up make their way into the small engine. Some of that debris eventually wind up inside of the carburetor – clogging fuel and air passages and reducing the performance of the mower’s engine.

Steps to Clean a Carburetor

Here are four steps to follow to clean your carb quickly and easily:

Start by Checking Your Air Filter

The first step in cleaning the carburetor is to check the air filter to ensure it’s free of debris. A clogged air filter will create black smoke that spills from the exhaust. It will also make it difficult for your carb to get the air it needs to “breathe.”

Check all Connections

Next, it’s time to check the connections that run from a carburetor’s throttle and choke plates, since these things can stick when they get dirty.

Additionally, constant vibration and wear can loosen screws over time, contributing to strange handling and additional carb issues.

Use Carburetor Cleaner

Next, it’s time to pick up a carburetor cleaner to get rid of the deposits within the carb, which can clog both air and fuel passages and interrupt the performance.

Fortunately, you can generally do this without even taking the carburetor out of the engine. Start by purchasing some commercial lawnmower carburetor cleaner, which comes in a simple spray can and will make it easy to clean the inside and outside of the carb.

After you’ve coated the surfaces of the carb with this cleaner, give the lawnmower a once-over for other maintenance issues, like stale fuel, bad air filters, old spark plugs, dirty engine oil, and more.

Check Settings

Now it’s time to check the settings on your carburetor to see if anything should be adjusted or updated.

If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, take your carburetor to a local repair service, which can help you identify issues and ensure you’re running your carb as efficiently as possible. This professional will also be able to help you understand why you shouldn’t drain the fuel and how best to care for your lawnmower in the future.

Keeping Your Carburetor Clean and Healthy

A critical piece of your engine’s functionality, the carburetor keeps your lawnmower running strong and functioning well. When you understand how to clean your lawnmower carburetor, you can keep your lawnmower in great shape for years to come, no matter how hard you use it.