A lawnmower is a much-needed home maintenance tool, and most homeowners prefer to store their lawnmower in the garage. Sometimes, though, we forget to store it properly, which can result in damage and malfunctions later on. If you want your lawnmower to serve you well for a long time, you need to know the proper way to keep it safe in your garage.
Place your lawnmower in a dry corner of the garage and cover it with a tarp for added protection. Never store a mower vertically unless the manual specifically says you can. For winter storage, remove the lawnmower battery, clean off debris, and add a fuel stabilizer to the tank.
There’s more to lawn mower storage than you might expect. But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. This article will cover all the best ways to store your lawnmower so that it’s ready to go next time your lawn needs a good trim.
How Should I Store My Lawnmower in the Garage?
Most homeowners keep their home maintenance tools and appliances in the garage, and that’s a good choice; it’s probably one of the best places to store these items.
Still, we need to pay attention to how these tools are stored so that they don’t get damaged while they’re out of use.
A lawnmower is one tool that you can’t afford to store haphazardly. It can be pretty challenging to keep this tool in the garage due to its unwieldy size, shape, and weight, but it can be done.
While there are several different ways to store your lawnmower in the garage, you need to select the method that works best for you and your garage.
The best way to make this choice is by taking inventory of how much available space exists in your garage and what other objects you need to consider.
Once you’ve done this, you can then go ahead to choose the best method to store your lawnmower. Here are some essential tips:
- Take advantage of the space: This usually comes once you’ve already got a sense of the available space in your garage. You can then choose to store your lawnmower under an overhang or in a corner.
You should store this appliance in the corner because it takes up a lot of space, and you need it to be out of the way as much as possible. Also, lawnmowers are mostly gas-powered, so they should be kept in weather-resistant areas of the garage.
- Move objects around: If there isn’t enough space in your garage, you might want to move and relocate existing items to make space for the lawnmower. In the same vein, if you have items in your preferred storage location, you can move them out of the way and keep your lawnmower there instead.
- Cover with a tarp: There are two main reasons why you should cover your lawnmower with a tarp. One is to prevent other objects from bumping into it.
More importantly, a tarp protects a lawnmower from air or weather damage. Lawnmowers shouldn’t get too cold because that can affect their functionality, and they should be kept free of contaminants. A tarp will keep your lawnmower protected from these external elements.
A good option for covering your lawnmower is the Himal Outdoors Heavy Duty Lawnmower Cover (on Amazon).
- Build a shelf: If your lawnmower is on the lighter side, then you can build a dedicated shelf for it and store it there. However, you should check the weight of your lawnmower before you consider this option; many lawnmowers are too heavy to put on a shelf.
- Install a wall hanger: A wall hanger can be a good option in some garages, but be sure the hanger allows the lawnmower to stand in an upright position. Since most lawnmowers run on gas, turning them upside down can lead to a gas leakage, and that can be dangerous.
- Build a mini shed: Since many garages are not weatherproof, a good way to store home maintenance tools is by building or purchasing a mini shed like the Keter Factor Outdoor Shed (on Amazon). Opt for a shed that opens from the side; this will come in handy when you’re moving the lawnmower in and out of the shed.
You can also keep a lawnmower under a canopy or in the basement or attic.
Can You Store a Lawnmower Vertically?
There is no doubt that lawnmower storage takes up a lot of space. If you don’t have much storage space, you may be wondering if vertical storage is an option.
Unfortunately, we don’t recommend the vertical approach unless your machine was specifically designed to be stored in this manner. Storing a lawnmower vertically can lead to fuel and oil dripping into the engine.
Check whether your lawnmower can be stored vertically in the manual.
How Do You Store a Lawn Mower for the Winter?
A lawnmower needs special attention for winter storage. How you store it will determine whether it’s suitable for use in the next mowing season.
To properly store your lawnmower for the winter, here are a few steps to take:
- Remove its battery: Before storing a lawnmower for the winter, ensure you first remove its battery and keep it in a cool, dry place. Start by disconnecting the cable from the battery. Then wipe the battery clean with a cloth. Using a metal brush or battery cleaner, clean the terminal of the battery.
- Clean your lawnmower: Use a brush or hose to brush leaves, grass, and mud off your mower. If you want to perform this or any other type of mower maintenance, always disconnect the spark plug lead wire from the plug. Tape it or tie it off.
Spray the underbody of your mower by tilting it gently on its side. Never use your hands to remove debris caught on the blade.
- Put fuel stabilizer in the tank: It only takes 30 days for gas to degrade, resulting in clogging of your engine’s fuel system. If this happens, your tool might not start the following season.
With fuel stabilizers like this one from STA-BIL (on Amazon), you don’t have to drain fuel before storage, and next season you’ll have a quick and easy start thanks to the prevention of gum and varnish buildup in your engine’s fuel system.
By keeping the fuel tank full, moisture will not condense in the tank where rust could form and clog the carburetor. Once you add treated fuel to your mower’s fuel tank, run your engine for a few minutes to circulate the stabilized fuel throughout the system.
Where Can You Store a Lawn Mower if You Don’t Have a Garage?
The best place to keep a lawnmower is in a shed or garage, as this will protect it from weather elements. However, if you don’t have the luxury of either option, you should try to keep the lawnmower under a roof or canopy or cover it with a tarp.