Spring time is upon us again… and as the weather starts to pick up, so will your lawn! But before you decide to hop outside and groom your grass, ask yourself this; is your lawnmower ready for action?

No matter what lawnmower you have, here are some essential cleaning and maintenance tasks you need to perform before you can put it back to use. So, dust off your mower and follow this list to begin your preparations for the sunny seasons ahead!

Spring Clean

Before use, your lawnmower will certainly need a thorough clean. Here are some important tips to help get you started:

• Always ensure your mower is switched off, unplugged and cooled down before cleaning.
• Remove any dried-on dirt and grass by scrubbing it away with a stiff brush.
• Use a damp and wrung-out cloth to wipe down the mower, making sure to avoid the motor and switches.
• Scrape underneath the mower, including the blade and the surrounding area, to remove any stuck-on grass cuttings.

For any additional cleaning tips and advice, simply give our video below a watch. Your mower will be spick and span before you know it!

Check the Blades

It’s also important to make sure you keep your lawnmower blade sharp enough to cut properly. Otherwise, a dull blade will leave your grass patchy and uneven, if it cuts properly at all!

If you have a metal blade, you can sharpen it for yourself at home. However, if the blade is damaged or chipped to the point where sharpening alone won’t fix it, you may have to replace it with a new one. Likewise, if you own a lawnmower with plastic blades, these will need replacing whenever they lose their sharpness.

Luckily, we have videos for both metal blade and plastic blade replacements, so check them out below!

Replace the Oil

When it comes to oil, lawnmowers generally need to have their oil changed and topped up once a year, or for around every 50 hours of use – whichever comes first. This will help keep your lawnmower running properly for years to come!

However, it’s important to note that different lawnmowers may require different kinds of oil. Not only that, but where you actually pour the oil will also depend on your type of lawnmower too. To make sure you have the right oil for your particular appliance, give our video on choosing the right lawnmower oil a watch below.

Check the Belts

Something else that needs checking with your lawnmower are the belts. The belts are a vital part of your lawnmower, and if they break or become worn down, your mower won’t be able to work properly. To check the condition of your belts, simply turn your lawnmower upright and take a look. If they appear loose or show signs of wear or cracking, they will need replacing.

Here, you can check out our video on how to replace the blade belt on a Flymo UltraGlide lawnmower. However, lawnmowers vary in design and have more than one belt, so make sure you check your user manual if you have a different kind of mower. If you’ve lost your manual, don’t worry! You can find yours quickly and easily with our online manual finder.

Fix Faults

If you think your mower has developed a fault or issue not covered in this blog so far, don’t worry. We can still help! Simply head over to our lawnmower advice centre and we’ll help you get to the bottom of the issue in no time.

Now that you know all you need to about maintaining your lawnmower and getting it ready for use, why not up your mowing game altogether? For some great tips on how to make your lawn look spectacular this spring, check out our blog on how to get a great looking lawn.

Tags: Gardening Tips, Lawnmower Care, Lawnmower Maintenance