How to Store a Lawn Mower in the Garage
Whenever summer draws to a close, many homeowners prepare their lawnmowers for winter hibernation until spring grass demands their attention. In fact, the best lawn mower storage ideas are essential to prolonging your lawn mower's longevity and saving costs on maintenance.
Our team at Mowrator is passionate about remote-controlled, battery-powered lawn mowers and intelligent solutions to your lawn care needs. We'll show you why you need to keep your lawn mower safely stored, how to maximize storage space in your garage, and the best additional storage options. Let's run the engine on this topic to find the optimal place to put your lawn mower this winter.
Key Takeaways
- Use garage corners for compact mowers, and store larger mowers under shelves using ramps for easy access.
- Use wall hooks and hangers to store electric mowers vertically, and ceiling hooks for long-term storage – not for heavy mowers.
- Proper storage increases the lifespan of your lawn mower by protecting it from weather damage and allows for easy maintenance.
- Always store your mower in a cool, dry and low-humidity place.
- Never store your mower with a full tank of gas, and consider outdoor storage only with appropriate covers if necessary.
How to Prepare Your Lawn Mower for Storage
While it's tempting to put your lawn mower away into your garage and be done with it, you’ll thank yourself later for keeping your mower in good condition now. Here are Mowrator's four simple steps for preparing your lawn mower for storage:
1. Clean Your Lawn Mower
The first step to winterize your lawn mower is to clean it. Leaves, grass clippings, and other debris from a job well done are easy to miss and slowly accumulate in your mower over time.
For the exterior of your mower, use laundry soap or automotive-specific shampoo and a brush to remove any grime from the shell of your lawn mower. (Note: Do not use dish soap on your mower, as it can damage the paint.) Once clean, dry it with a clean cloth and admire your shiny paint job once more.
For the undercarriage of your mower, it's best to remove the dirt and debris with something more powerful, like a garden hose. Over 80,000 people are injured by lawn mowers in the United States every year, so remember: Safety First!
Always make sure that your lawn mower is turned off before you clean or sharpen its blades. If possible, wear gloves if you're planning to give a good scrub to any stubborn bits by hand.
2. Conduct a Maintenance Check
The perfect time to conduct any routine maintenance checks is while you’re preparing your lawn mower for storage. During your check you should look for any wear and tear, ensure the exhaust and ventilation systems are clear from debris, remove the spark plugs, and change the fuel and oil.
If you've seen a decline in your mower’s performance, assess any damage during your check to replace parts quickly and easily at a later point in time.
Battery Maintenance
If you have an electric lawn mower, battery maintenance is extremely important before putting your mower away for storage in the garage. Regular maintenance can extend your battery’s lifespan and save you the $40 to $100 price tag for a new lawn mower battery in the spring.
Battery maintenance depends on the type of battery you have. Lead-acid batteries tend to be in older, more affordable models. You may need to monitor electrolyte levels during maintenance for these batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are easier to maintain, but any maintenance must be done in a dry environment free of flammable materials.
3. Check Your Fuel Tank
If you have a gas-powered lawn mower, always drain the tank of any remaining gasoline before tucking it away in your storage unit. Gasoline grows stale over time and will cause issues with your engine if left unattended. Follow any local regulations to dispose of your gas, and ensure that no liquid remains within the tank before you place your lawn mower into storage.
4. Lubricate Moving Parts
To invest in a smooth mowing experience for the following year, lubricate any moving parts before storing your mower. Wheels, blades, cables, and other moving pieces are common parts that are at risk of wear and tear and should be the main focus of your lubrication.
Where’s the Best Spot to Store Your Mower in the Garage?
A typical one-car garage in the United States only measures 12 x 22 feet on average. If you consider that most of that space is taken up by your car, as well as other bulky items like a snowblower, there’s not a lot of extra space for your lawn mower. Where can you find valuable floor space for your mower in your garage that’s sure to keep it dry and safe?
Garage Corners
If you have a small and portable lawn mower like the Mowrator S1, then the best way to store it may be a compact corner of your garage that’s out of the way of your daily commute. Simply remove any external parts of your lawn mower and store them elsewhere.
If you plan on storing your lawn mower on the floor, check that it is dry and wrapped in a heavy-duty tarp.
Under Shelves
Garage shelves are an excellent vertical storage option to keep your lawn mower off the ground and secure in a dry place. If you have a push mower that takes up more space than a remote-controlled one, consider installing a ramp to easily push it into place. You can store any attachments and oil cans with your other garden tools for convenience.
What are the Best Ways to Store Your Lawn Mower in Your Garage?
Wall Hooks and Hangers
Electric lawn mowers can often be stored vertically, although each lawn mower may have different storage limitations based on its manual. If your lawn mower can be safely stored vertically, then wall hangers allow you to keep your lawn mower safely off the ground.
Wall hangers also save on floor space by leveraging the vertical space of your garage. This makes vertical storage one of the most effective garage storage options. Notably, you should not vertically store heavy mowers that could be prone to falling.
Ceiling Hooks
Your garage ceiling may offer an excellent opportunity for long-term storage if you plan on storing your lawn mower in a crowded area. The ceiling hooks and lawn mower will take up minimal space; however, you should not store large riding mowers or other heavy lawn care machinery in this way.
Why is Proper Lawn Mower Storage Important?
We understand that after a long day of mowing your home’s lawn, you’ll want to sit back and open a cold bottle without worrying about lawn mower storage. However, as the sports car of your yard, your lawn mower deserves to be properly stored while it's not in use. Let's unpack why you should keep your mower safe and secure in your garage.
Increases Your Lawn Mower's Lifespan
As with any piece of machinery or tool, leaving your lawn mower outside can impact its lifespan. Exposure to water and hail will rust and corrode the electronics over time. Lawnmowers aren't safe under sunny skies either –the Sun’s UV rays will damage your lawn mower's paint, as well as the rubber and plastic parts of your machine.
A dry lawn mower, on the other hand, that's protected from the elements can last up to 15 years with proper care.
Offers Easy Access Maintenance
In addition to avoiding harsh weather conditions, the garage is an excellent place to store a lawn mower that needs maintenance. You can work on your lawn mower safely in the comfort of your garage without needing to leave your home. Your garage will likely also contain your wall-mounted power tools, within arm's reach for a craftsman who wants to quickly work on their lawn mower maintenance.
If you have more garage storage ideas or are interested in learning more about our innovative remote-controlled outdoor robotics, don't hesitate to speak to the Mowrator team about how we can help you. All questions are welcome.
How to Store a Lawn Mower in the Garage FAQs
Is it Safe to Store Lawn Mowers in the Garage?
Yes, it's safe to store any types of lawn mower in your garage, as long as you've taken the necessary precautions before doing so. You’ll want to keep the lawn mower in a dry, low-humidity environment away from any sources of fire or extreme temperature.
Should You Store a Lawn Mower with a Full Tank of Gas?
No, you should not store a lawn mower with a full tank of gas. Gasoline evaporates over time, leading to a buildup of fumes within your garage. If your garage is not well-ventilated, this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, fire hazards, and spillage.
Can You Store a Lawn Mower Outdoors?
Yes, if you do not have any storage space in your garage for your lawn mower, then you can store it outside. Storing a lawnmower outside will leave it open to the elements and may damage the machine over time. You should invest in a tarp or cover (preferably waterproof) to keep your mower safe and sound outside, if necessary. Storing your lawn mower in a garage or storage shed is a better storage solution.
If you found this information engaging, consider checking out our other articles: How to Get Rid of an Old Lawn Mower, and Why is My Lawn Mower Smoking?
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