How to store a lawn mower over winter – the best ways to prepare and protect your machine so it’s in tip-top condition for spring

Temperatures are plummeting by the week, and that means it's time to prepare your garden for the colder weather. Learning how to store a lawn mower over winter is one of most sensible and money-saving things you can do right now.

Well, there's no use in buying one of the best lawn mowers on the market and leaving it vulnerable to winter weather damage. Even partial exposure to the elements can result in rust, corrosion and various other mechanical and cosmetic ailments. With correct storage, though, you'll lengthen your mower's lifespan and see it bounce back into full working order in the spring.

As soon as you stop cutting your lawn for the winter, you'll need to learn how to store a lawn mower properly. Here's how to do it.

What you'll need

1. Give it one final clean

First things first, you'll need to clean your lawn mower. After a summer of dusty mowing, the blades and undercarriage will need some TLC before you store your lawn mower away for the winter.

‘Before storing your lawn mower, it’s crucial to give it a deep clean,' says Peter Chaloner, managing director of Cobra. 'Grass clippings, dirt, and moisture can corrode metal parts and dull the blades if left on the machine.’

You might find that your mower doesn't start up again in the spring if corrosion gets the better of it over winter, so this step is essential.

‘This includes cleaning the undercarriage (remove the spark plug for safety before doing this) by using a stiff brush or hose to clean out the grass build-up beneath the deck,’ adds Peter. ‘A light coat of WD-40 [available at Amazon] or silicone spray afterward will help prevent rust. It's also a good idea to clean, sharpen, or replace your blades.’

In fact, it's the perfect time of year to learn how to sharpen your lawn mower blades.

'Use a metal file to sharpen the edges, maintaining the original angle by following the blade,' says Ashleigh Bradshaw, gardening expert at British petrol and battery lawn mower company Hayter.

2. Check your mower over

Once, you've cleaned your mower, you'll need to give it a check-over to make sure it's in tip-top condition before you store it for winter. You might need to change your lawn mower's oil, for example, and maintain other parts of the machine, too.

'A clogged or dirty air filter restricts airflow and reduces engine performance,' says Peter from Cobra. 'Remove the air filter and clean or replace it if required. This quick check helps maintain engine efficiency and reliability.'

This Briggs & Stratton Oil Removal Kit from Amazon could come in handy if you need to change the lawn mower's oil. If you chose a corded lawn mower over a cordless lawn mower, you'll also need to check the cable.

'Take a close look at cables and joints for possible corrosion, cracks, or loose parts,' says Fabio Banin, Lawn Expert at STIGA. 'If you spot any, you may need to fix or replace them.'

3. Protect the power source

If you have a manual lawn mower, you don’t need to worry about this next step – but if you have a petrol or battery-powered lawn mower (or even want to store your strimmer for winter), it’s important to store your lawn mower's petrol or battery properly over winter.

Most fuels don’t take well to being stored for prolonged periods – especially if you plan to store them in the shed over winter.

'Petrol can degrade over time, leading to clogs in the carburettor and starting issues,' warns Peter. 'You can either drain the tank, which also prevents any potential safety concerns, or you can use a fuel stabiliser to prevent the fuel from breaking down over the winter months. After adding it, run the mower for a few minutes to circulate the treated fuel through the system.’

But what about a battery-powered lawn mower? Well, Peter says it’s best to remove the battery from the lawn mower before storing it over winter.

‘Store the battery in a cool, dry place, away from freezing temperatures which can damage its capacity,’ he advises. ‘It’s also recommended to charge it to around 50% before storing and occasionally topping it up during the off-season.'

4. Choose the perfect storage location

Once you've cleaned and maintained your lawn mower, you'll need to pick the perfect spot to store it over winter.

There are so many garden storage ideas to choose from, but most people tend to store their lawn mower in the shed. Many gardeners wonder whether you can store a lawn mower on the wall, too.

'Where you store your lawn mower also plays a role in its longevity,' says Peter. 'Make sure that you store your mower in a dry, sheltered location, like a garage or shed, to protect it from the elements. Moisture is a common enemy, leading to rust and damage to internal components. For added protection, cover the mower with a tarp or specialised cover to keep dust and moisture out.’

This Woodside Large Black Protective Garden Lawn Mower Cover from Amazon comes with a drawstring to keep the cover snug and secure.

If you can, collapse the handles down to make the lawn mower as compact as possible. If you have a corded lawn mower, disconnect the cord if possible and wrap it around a cable wire tidy, like this Cable Wire Tidy H Frame from B&Q. Just avoid coiling the cord too tight, as this can cause irreparable damage.

FAQs

Where to store a lawn mower with no shed?

If you don’t have a shed in your garden, you should store your lawn mower in the next best thing – such as a large storage cabinet or in a garage.

The aim is to keep your lawn mower protected from cold temperatures and the wet weather as much as possible, so just make sure you never leave your shed outside over winter completely uncovered.

Can you store a lawn mower sideways?

You should never store a petrol-powered lawn mower sideways, particularly if it's filled with petrol.

Different manufacturers have different rules for this, though, so it’s always best to check the instruction manual of your specific model to ensure that this is possible. If not, you’ll have to store it on the floor.

Now you know how to store a lawn mower for winter! Give it some TLC beforehand, and it should bounce back into functioning order next spring.