Having a good lawn mower storage place at the end of mowing season can really extend the life of your lawn mower. If you don’t have a place to store your mower there are a few things you can do to prepare you mower for the long winter.
Just doing these few things will keep your mower snug for the long winter. If you don’t have a place in your garage or shed for lawn mower storage you can do these things, remove the battery if it has one, give it a good cleaning, use a fuel stabilizer, and cover with a good tarp and secure it.
How Can I Store My Lawn Mower Outside?
Step 1] Use a Good Quality Fuel Stabilizer… To prevent the fuel from degrading and having a hard time starting next season add some fuel stabilizer to the fuel and then run the mower for a few minutes so the stabilizer get into the lines and carburetor. This is much easier to do then to drain and remove all the fuel.
I like to store my mower with a full tank of fuel with the stabilizer in it because it prevents any moisture in the fuel system from condensing and cause problems in the system. I recommend you get some “STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer”. You can see it here on Amazon.
Step 2] Take Out The Battery… I realize that all types of lawn mowers will have a battery, if yours doesn’t just skip this step. Remove the battery and store it somewhere dry and cool for the winter. Don’t store it near combustibles or near your furnace or hot water tank. It’s a good time now to clean the battery terminals remember to wear gloves.
Step 3] Give The Mower a Good Cleaning… Take a few minutes a clean off leaves, grass and any other debris that’s found its way onto the mower. Remember to disconnect the spark plug wire when doing any cleaning our maintenance to your lawn mower. Carefully tilt the mower on its side and hose out the undercarriage, use a stick as needed to loosen heavy grass.
Step 4] Let Dry and Store… Put your lawnmower somewhere will it be dry, if you don’t have a place to store it under cover find a place in your yard that’s not subject to water pooling and somewhat out of the weather and then cover and secure a good heavy tarp over it for the winter.
Can You Store a Lawn Mower Vertically?
When it’s time to store your lawn mower away until next spring and you don’t have a lot of space to put it, is storing it vertical an option? Depending on what type of lawn mower you have will answer this question. In most cases it’s not recommended storing a lawn mower in a vertical position.
The reason is it can leak oil and gas or worst gas can leak into the oil and that’s going to be a costly mistake. To know for sure you should read your owner’s manual or get in contact with the manufacturer and ask them. You can drain all the fluids first and then use the vertical lawn mower storage option, but this can cause other issues to the mower.
If you have very limited storage there are some lawn mowers that can be stored in the vertical position, one example is the “Toro Smart Stow” that uses 70% less space when stored in the vertical position.
Another great option would be an electric powered or battery powered lawn mower, but do your research since not all of these types can be stored vertically.
Can I Store My Lawn Mower in The Garage?
This will depend on the type of garage you have, if the garage is a separate building and is not attached to your home then you can store it once you have drained the fuel or added a fuel stabilizer. If you’re going to be using this garage as a workshop then it’s recommended that you drain the fuel completely from the lawn mower before storing it there.
If your garage is attached to your home and you use the garage to get access to your home then you will have to drain the fuel completely before storing it there. There are also special lifts you can get to lift the mower up to get the most from the space available. Generally storing lawn equipment in your garage is not recommended because of the risk of gas vapors.
Can I Store My Lawn Mower in The Basement?
Deciding to use your basement as lawn mower storage especially with gas still in the tank can be dangerous. The lawn mowers fuel tank can help limit the amount of fuel that will leak out the fumes can be noticed in a closed space like a basement and can be a risk to your health as well as a possible risk of explosion.
If you’re going to have to store your lawn mower in your basement over the winter you need to remove as much of the fuel from the fuel tank. Next you need to run the lawn mower outside until all the gas in the system is completely gone. Now you can leave it outside for a while with the gas cap removed to allow the gas tank to completely air out.
If you have no choice but to store your lawn mower in the basement during cutting season, use a little gas as possible to cut the grass and then let the mower run until the rest of the gas is burned up. After you’ve cut your grass a few times you should know approximately how much gas is needed and only add that much when you make your next cut.
If at any time you smell gas in the basement, remove the mower and let it air out more. Leave a couple of windows in the basement open a bit to allow for proper ventilation. If at any time you smell gas in your home you’re going to have to find a different place to store the mower until the cutting season is over.
Just remember that storing a lawn mower with gas in it in an enclosed space can be dangerous, don’t store gas in an enclosed place either. There are some good low cost lawn mower storage options on Amazon. Here’s a few for you to check out.
How to Winterize a Riding Lawn Mower
You’ve spent a lot of money on your riding lawn mower so you want it to last for many years. Most people with a push lawn mower don’t have to take the steps the owner of a riding mower needs to do.
Step 1] Drain the Fuel… Begin by removing the fuel and the oil from the mower; remember to recycle the old gas and oil. Re-fill the mower with the correct grade of new engine oil and then fill the gas tank and treat it with a fuel stabilizer and then start up the mower and let it run for 5 minutes to make sure the stabilized fuel has circulated throughout the fuel system.
Step 2] Remove spark plug… Take out the spark plug and put in about ½ an ounce of engine oil, re-install the spark plug and leave the spark plug wire off, do this to both cylinders if you have a twin cylinder motor. Give the motor a crank to circulate the oil well.
Step 3] Charge Battery… Before you store your riding lawn mower make sure you fully charge the battery. It’s recommended to start the mower a couple of times during the winter and run it for about half an hour to keep the battery charged and to circulate the fuel in the system. Top up the fuel tank with stabilized fuel.
Disconnect the battery once its charged and if the mower is going to be stored for a long time, remove the battery and store it someplace warm and not near to any potential open flame or near any place which could haves sparks. Having a battery tender device connected to the battery can keep it charged without having to run it. You can see Amazons full line of battery tenders here.
Step 4] Tires… If you’re riding mower has pneumatic tires as part of your lawn mower storage routine make sure the tires are inflated to the correct tire pressure. Another good idea is to park the mower on pieces of cardboard under the tires to protect them from a cold concrete slab.
How to Choose a Lawn Mower Storage Shed
Ideally the best option for storing your lawn mower is having a small storage shed that will provide a place to store the mower, trimmers, gas cans and other yard tools. Amazon has some good sheds at very reasonable prices. Let’s take a look at a few:
Number 1] Outsunny Outdoor Metal Garden Storage Shed
This metal storage shed is the perfect size for storing your lawn mower and other garden tools, with its inside dimensions of 77 inches wide, 40 inches deep and a height of 72 inches provides plenty of room and lets you access the interior easily.
If you’re looking for affordability and good quality with long lasting durability, you’ll need to assemble it and that’s why you save lots!
Features
– Double sliding doors.
– Doors can be locked for added security.
– Strong reinforced roof.
– Sloped roof removes water quickly.
– Uses heavy duty beam construction.
– 4 air vent for good circulation of air.
– Elevated bottom plate keeps water out of unit.
– Galvanized steel construction.
– Completely maintenance free.
The “Outsunny Outdoor Metal Garden Storage Shed” has 18 customer reviews and 30 answered questions. Definitely worth looking at, sells for about $300. You can get the current price and shipping information here on Amazon.
Number 2] Keter Backyard Garden Storage Shed
The Keter is made from recycled resin and is the perfect size for lawn mower storage and it come in 2 handy sizes, 6 foot x 8 foot and the smaller size of 4 foot x 6 foot making it ideal for yard equipment. Has two great colors to choose from, grey and dove-grey and both are very neutral so they’ll go good with most any decor.
Another great thing about this shed is… No maintenance. Just think of all the extra room you’ll have in your garage now that you can store your lawn mower in its own space.
Features
– Constructed from polypropylene resin with steel reinforcement for added strength and long lasting durability.
– Has built-in ventilation ducts at the peak of the roof for allowing air movement.
– Lockable to secure your belongings or to keep small kids out of it, just add a padlock and it’s fully secure.
– Has a built-in window for light and an additional skylight in the roof for even more light.
– The exterior finish has the look of wood, so it’s very durable; as well the material used is resistance to UV so it have its new look for years without the sun fading it.
Keter backyard garden storage shed has 225 customer reviews and 164 answered questions and it won’t break the bank. You will need a flat surface to install it. You can read the reviews and get the current price here on Amazon.
Number 3] Rubbermaid Outdoor Gardening Storage Shed
For you Rubbermaid fans this might just be the lawn mower storage option you’re looking for. I like the deep storage capacity especially for those hard to store items. Not only can you store your lawn mower, you can store your bike too without having to wiggle them in. Another great feature is the 2 doors and the floor, so you don’t have to spend more money getting a floor kit.
Features
– Flexible storage.
– Strong double-wall construction that’s very resistance to dents and very weather proof.
– Has the build-in anchoring system so if you choose to add some optional accessories like shelving and pegboard, its ready!
– Extra deep storage design makes hard to store items easy to store.
– Did I mention… It comes with the floor, which is heavy duty.
A great choice for lawn mower storage and other lawn equipment and being a Rubbermaid product it will stand up to years of service. Check it out here on Amazon.
If you would rather build your own lawn mower storage shed check out my article “Is It Cheaper to Buy a Shed or Build it Yourself?” you can read the article here.
Number 4] Himal Lawn Mower Cover
Using a lawn mower cover if you don’t have any choice but to store it outside will keep it out of the weather. I’m going to recommend the “Himal Lawn Mower Cover” for less than $20 bucks as an excellent choice.
Features
– Universal fit… Will fit nearly all walk behind lawn mowers.
– Strong and durable… Constructed out of 600D oxford material with super strong double stitching.
– Waterproof… Has 2 waterproof coatings on the interior and will protect your mower from the sun, dust, bird poop and other outdoor contaminants.
– Simple to use… Super strong tightening pull cord means it will fit securely to your lawn mower and the wind won’t blow it off.
– Lightweight… Weighs just over a pound.
– Warranty… Has a full one year warranty.
It’s an “Amazons Choice” with 263 customer reviews and 16 answered questions with a user rating of 4.4/5. An excellent buy for the price, see it here on Amazon.
Lawn Mower Safety Tips
Number 1] Read Manual… When you first get your lawn mower and before using it, Please look through the owner’s manual and know how to safety operate the mower. If your kids are going to be cutting grass as a chore make sure you instruct them in how to fuel and operate the mower safety before getting them to cut the grass.
Don’t try to modify or bypass any safety devices that the lawn mower has, they are in place for your safety. Make sure your lawn mower has a “dead man device” these devices have to be engaged before the mower will start and will shut the mower off when released.
Number 2] Visual Inspection… Always do a quick scan of the area you’re going to be cutting and pick up and remove anything that will cause a hazard to the mowers blade or be flung by the mower causing damage or worst injury.
Number 3] Proper Footwear… Always wear proper footwear when cutting the lawn, don’t cut the grass barefoot or wearing sandals, wear footwear that will protect your feet from possible injury.
Number 4] Proper Storage… If your lawn mower is gas operated store the gas in a safe place and out of reach of children and pets.
Conclusion
I have covered different ways of lawn mower storage and looked at a few storage options so your mower gives you long service and remember to go over the safety tips with your children.