9 Things You Should Stop Doing to Your Mower Right Now

You can keep a mower going strong for years, but only if you’re not quietly wrecking it along the way. A lot of people follow outdated advice, skip small upkeep steps, or use it in ways that slowly wear it down.

These aren’t huge mistakes, but they add up fast—and before you know it, you’re dealing with repairs or a full replacement. If you want to keep your mower reliable and avoid unnecessary costs, here are the habits you need to quit now.

Letting Grass Build Up Underneath

When clippings pile up under the deck, airflow suffers—and that’s what gives you uneven cuts and bogging. Left too long, the build-up holds moisture and leads to rust.

It only takes a few minutes to scrape it clean after mowing. Use a plastic putty knife if you’re worried about scratching the deck. Keeping it clear protects the mower and keeps your cut looking clean.

Running It Low on Fuel Every Time

It might seem efficient to use up every drop before refueling, but running your tank that low can pull in debris from the bottom. That gunk ends up in your carburetor or fuel filter.

Try to keep at least a quarter tank in there. You’ll have fewer start-up issues and better fuel flow, especially on uneven ground.

Skipping Blade Sharpening

Dull blades rip and tear your grass instead of slicing it. That stress leads to brown tips, and your lawn starts looking patchy—even if you’re mowing on schedule.

If you’re mowing weekly during peak season, you should sharpen your blade every 20 to 25 hours of use. It’s not a big project, and the difference in cut quality is noticeable.

Washing It Like a Car

Spraying down your mower with a hose might feel like a quick clean, but that water can get into places it shouldn’t—like electrical parts, bearings, or the fuel tank cap.

Wipe it down instead. If you need to rinse something off, do it carefully and let it dry completely before running it again. Moisture damage is one of the fastest ways to shorten a mower’s life.

Ignoring Air Filter Checks

A clogged air filter makes your mower run hot and burn more fuel. It also chokes performance over time, which can stress the engine or stall you out mid-cut.

Pull the filter out every month during the season. Tap it out if it’s dusty. If it looks stained or torn, replace it. Filters are cheap—engines aren’t.

Mowing Wet Grass

Wet grass sticks to the deck, clumps in the yard, and puts way more strain on your engine and blade. It’s harder to cut and makes cleanup twice as frustrating.

If your shoes leave prints in the lawn, it’s too wet to mow. Waiting a few hours can save you hours of scraping and fixing problems later.

Storing It Without Cleaning First

Parking the mower in the garage after a long mow might feel done-and-dusted, but if it’s still dirty, wet, or clogged, you’re asking for rust, mold, or corrosion.

Give it a quick once-over. Empty the grass catcher, brush off dirt, and let it dry. Your mower should go into storage dry and clear to last through the week—let alone the off-season.

Leaving the Oil for “Later”

Oil that’s too old gets thick, dirty, and stops doing its job. That puts extra wear on moving parts, and your engine will run hotter than it should.

Check your oil before the first mow of the season and every 25 hours of run-time after that. It’s a five-minute habit that can save you from blowing a motor.

Forgetting to Level the Deck

If your mower deck isn’t level, you’ll end up with stripes of uneven height across your lawn. That uneven pressure also wears down blades faster on one side.

Grab a tape measure and check from the blade tips to the ground. The front should be slightly lower than the back. Most mowers need adjustment once or twice a season, especially after rough terrain or hauling.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.