5 simple maintenance tips for your lawn mower

Your lawn mower runs best when it's properly taken care of. Get the most out of your mower by following these five maintenance steps.

• With the gas tank empty, turn the mower on its side.
• Give it a good spray with a hose, especially the underside.
• Use a stick to scrape off any crusted-on grass.
• Scrub with a soft brush and soapy water to remove any greasy matter, then rinse.

The mower's blade should be sharpened at least once a year, and ideally two or three times. Otherwise, the tips of the grass have a ragged cut edge and turn brown a day or two after mowing, giving the lawn a slight brown cast.

• To find a professional to sharpen the blade, look in the phone book under "Lawn Mowers — Sharpening and Repair", or online.

• Clean air filters once or twice during the mowing season.
• Replace paper filters when they get dirty.
• Plastic foam filters should be removed, washed in warm, soapy water and then allowed to air-dry.
• Once dry, work 30 millilitres (two tablespoons ) of clean mower oil evenly across and into the filter, just enough to lightly coat it. If the filter is made of paper and foam, remove the foam part and wash it in warm soapy water, let dry, then replace.
• Put in a new paper filter as necessary.

• At the end of the mowing season, empty the fuel tank by running the mower until it runs out of gas.
• If your mower has a separate tank for oil, empty it.
• Refill the oil tank with fresh oil but leave the gas tank empty.

The owner's manual is where you will find handy tips on any other suggested maintenance.

• If you don't have the manual, get the manufacturer's phone number from your dealer, and request one.

Maintaining your lawn mower might be easier than you think! Consider these simple tips and keep your lawn mower running smoothly.