Putting your lawn mower to bed

Q: In one of your winter-preparation columns last year, you mentioned storing lawn mowers and removing the spark plug. Why do that, and what else is involved in storing a mower for the winter? — Pauline S., via e-mail

A: Removing the spark plug keeps the mower from starting up as you go through the task of storing it away for the winter. The mower’s exterior should be clean and free of grass clippings and dirt, while the motor interior should be protected by a coating of oil.

Storing a lawn mower properly will increase its lifespan while maintaining its efficiency. As soon as the grass-cutting season is over, take the following steps to put your mower to bed for the winter:

“Place the mower in a well-ventilated area.

“Leaving the spark plug in for the moment, drain the gas from the mower tank into an approved fuel container.

“Start the engine for a few seconds to burn off any remaining gas, then turn it off and remove the spark plug.

“Squirt a little oil into the cylinder, then pull the starter cord a few times to distribute the oil evenly. (After this, you can either replace the spark plug, or tape it on the side of the mower to replace next spring.)

“Drain the oil from the crankcase.

Once the motor is dealt with, use a hose to spray grass and dirt away from the underside of the lawn mower. This is a good time to remove the mower blades, clean and sharpen them. Let the mower dry out completely before storing in a dry, out-of-the-way spot.