No Shed, No Problem: Storing Your Lawn Mower Outside

Purchasing a lawnmower is an investment, so proper storage is a must.

The best place to store a lawnmower is a garden shed where it is protected from rain, snow, or harsh environmental conditions.

Unfortunately, not every one of us has a dedicated tool shed, nor enough space in the garage for a lawnmower.

In this article, we give you a handy guide to storing your lawnmower without a shed.

Storing Your Lawn Mower Outside

Most Important Considerations when Storing Lawnmowers Outside

1. Know the type of your lawnmower to determine the proper maintenance measures for it.

2. Know the climate and weather conditions of your place. Not all storage options are suitable for your location.

3. You can use any covering material for routine storage, but you need to take additional measures when storing it for the winter.

Lawnmower 101

3 Types of Lawn Mowers

Lawnmowers in the market now come in different shapes and sizes. The most popular is still the push mower.

Other well-known models are the ride-on or riding mowers, robotic lawnmowers, hover mowers, and tractor-pulled mowers.

Knowing the type of lawnmower according to power or energy source is important to know the preventive measure appropriate for each type.

Under these criteria, lawnmowers can fall into any of the following:

1. Gasoline Mowers

You should pay the most attention to the fuel for this type of mower.  

• The gasoline fuel can start degrading as early as 2-4 weeks after purchasing.

• Fuel degradation can clog the fuel lines and cause the unit to malfunction. You can prevent this by adding a fuel stabilizer.

• There are also mowers that use propane gas tanks. For this, avoid exposure to heat sources with temperatures over 120 ⁰F.

• Make sure to remove the fuel tank after use.
• Propane gas cans are not meant for outdoor storage.
• The fuel may leak and easily undergo combustion.

2.  Electric Lawn Mowers

For electric mowers, the power cable connection is the most vulnerable part. You have to ensure that this part is always dry.

3. Battery Operated Mowers

You have to store the lawnmower battery separately from the lawnmower because they are not intended to be left outdoors for an extended period of time.

The right place to store them is those at ambient temperature, in a dry environment far from any source of heat.

Lawn Mower Storage

Your location is the first thing you need to consider.

This will determine whether you can store your lawn mower outside or you should invest in a tool shed.

The methods discussed here will work best if you are in a place that is mostly dry and warm throughout the year.

Next, how much time you are planning to store the mower outside your shed will also determine the type of storage you can use.

1. Short-Term Storage

By short-term or routine storage, we mean that you cut your grass every week or every other week.

At this frequency, it is expected that the mower is in good shape. The fuel has not yet degraded; the engine is lubricated, and the internal components are dry.

For this, you can use any of the following:

• Tarp or waterproof cover
• Eave or overhang
• Popup tent
• Plastic garden storage box
• Commercial lawn mower storage box
• Any form of container that may be used as a temporary storage solution

2. Long-Term or Seasonal Storage

For winter storage, you need to follow a few more steps:

• Drain all the unused gas from a gas-powered lawnmower.

• Remove and tidy the spark plugs so that the unit won’t start on its own by accident.

• Detach the blade/s, and store them in a place where they won’t get wet. Use protective gloves when doing this.

• It’s a good idea to empty the oil tank as well if your mower has its own.

• Make sure to get rid of all the dirt and grass that has been stuck in the undercarriage. You may use a pressure washer for this.

Remaining dirt and grass can speed up the buildup of rust during storage.

• If you plan to leave fuel or engine oil in the mower, make sure to keep it upright so that it doesn’t spill over.

• The fuel tank and oil tank should be filled with fresh gas and oil when you are done with the cleanup.

Make sure the lawnmower is running for about 5 to 10 minutes after you add the gas stabilizer, then shut it down.

When all of this is done, you can store your lawn mower long-term outside the whole winter season using the short-term storage tips mentioned above.

Your unit should be intact and working next spring.

More Lawn Mower Storage Ideas

1. Do not leave your mower in the sun for a long time.

This will not damage your unit right away, but plastic parts can deteriorate faster.

The color may fade and the part itself may become brittle.

2. Keep your mower in an elevated space.  

This is to make sure that when it rains, the lawnmower is not submerged in water.

You have to prevent water from getting into the gas and oil tank.

You will need to drain both tanks before using the unit in case the worst happens.

3. Repair broken plastic covers and chipped paint immediately.

Since paint and plastic covers provide your unit with a protective barrier, checking and repairing the paint and cover of your unit is one of the best ways to ensure maximum protection.

4. Apply rust preventive liquid on the mower blade/s after every mowing session.

Although you can protect your lawnmower from water or rain by using a cover, the same cover can trap water evaporating from your lawn.

5. Have a properly functioning air filter.

This is for gas-powered mowers. The air filters protect the engine from dirt and debris during the mowing process.

FAQs

Where can I put my lawnmower if I don’t have a shed?

In most cases, keeping a lawnmower inside is the best choice.

You may store it in your garage or, if you do not have any access to one, in a storage unit.

This will guarantee that your mower is entirely dry and is not exposed to the elements like wind and cold temperatures.

How do you store a lawnmower without a garage?

You can utilize your basement, or storage shed, for maximum security and peace of mind.

You may also use a plastic lawnmower box or store it outside.

Just note that for the last two options, you have minimal security and the climate in your area must be warm and dry all year to prevent lasting damage to your unit.

Can you leave a lawnmower outside in the rain?

Yes, but this is provided that the lawnmower is not completely submerged in water.

If you plan on putting your lawnmower outside for a long time, make sure you are in a place where it is mostly warm and dry throughout the year.

Summary

The type of energy source of your lawn mower will point you in the direction of the appropriate preventive measure to take.

Other considerations will be the climate in your location and the length of time you need to store the lawnmower outside.

Your best option is to invest in wooden sheds if your place is cold and wet most of the year.

In no way should it be kept near a water heater, furnace, or other equipment with an open flame. Also, avoid storing it near any cooling equipment.