10 Essential Tips to Winterize Your Lawn Mower

10 Essential Tips to Winterize Your Lawn Mower

M Hasan    9:30 AM   

Preparing Your Lawn Mower for Winter: A Comprehensive Guide

Regardless of the type of lawn mower you use — a rider, zero-turn, or push mower — it's important to take care of it to ensure it stays in good condition throughout the winter. This involves taking steps to winterize your mower and finding a safe storage place for it. However, there are multiple ways to winterize a mower, so it's essential to review all the options to determine which is best for yours. If you've been doing regular maintenance after each mow, there may be less work to do now.

Don't put off winterizing your mower, unless you want to face potentially costly issues when you pull it back out in the spring to start mowing again. Failing to take care of your mower's engine, especially, can be expensive — whether you end up having to purchase a new one or repair the engine itself. A well-cared-for lawn mower will last longer than one that you neglect during the winter months. Properly storing your lawnmower is also part of this vital process, so if you don't have a shed to put it in, you might need to improvise.

Check and Clean Your Spark Plugs

A good place to start with your winterizing project is to remove the spark plugs. You'll want to inspect them to see if they need cleaning or replacement. Also, removing and setting them aside at the beginning ensures your mower won't accidentally start while you're working on the rest of your winterization steps. Be careful not to get anything in the combustion chamber while the plugs are disconnected. Look for cracks, burned spots, and deposits to know if it's time for new plugs. Even if you check these during your lawn mower tune-ups, it's essential to look again.

Clean Under the Mower Deck and Sharpen the Blade

An essential step in preparing your mower for winter is cleaning it, and you'll want to ensure that you remove all the grass from the blade and the mower deck. Grass can hold moisture, so leaving it on your mower over winter can lead to rusting. Be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands. While you're in this area, now is a good time to sharpen the blades so your mower will be ready for spring. Keeping your lawn mower in good shape throughout the mowing season is important too.

Empty the Gas Tank

Do not leave small amounts of gas in the tank over winter. Doing so can lead to degradation of the gas itself, but it can also gum up your carburetor and damage the fuel system. Even after just a month of sitting unused in the gas tank of your mower, the gas itself can deteriorate. Use a siphon to remove the gas from your riding mowers or tip your push mower over to empty the gas tank, and be sure to put the gas into a drain pan and dispose of it properly.

Add Fuel Stabilizer

If your tank is full, no need to waste all of that gas. By adding a fuel stabilizer to your tank, you can extend the life of the gas by a few months — hopefully enough to get through the winter. The most important thing to keep in mind with this step is that you can only add the stabilizer to fresh gas. Therefore, if the full tank has been sitting for a few weeks, you will still want to empty the tank — perhaps find something else you can transfer the gas to so it's not wasted.

Change Out the Engine Oil and Filter

Before you change the oil in your lawnmower, consider how long it has been since the last change. If you've run the machine for 50 hours of overall use, now is a good time to perform an oil change; if not, you can skip this step during your mower's winterization. If you do need to change the oil, now is also a good time to swap out your oil filter. If you don't perform an oil change now, ensure to remember the hours of use for when you start mowing again the following year.

Change Gas and Air Filters, if Needed

We already looked at the oil filter, but that's not the only filter that may need replacing on your lawnmower. Check the air filter to assess its condition, and replace it if it appears to be deteriorating or extremely dirty. Sometimes you can get away with cleaning the air filter and reusing the same one if it's still in good shape. Check the gas filter as well. The fuel filter protects your carburetor from debris, so it's essential to change it regularly and as needed.

Clean the Visible Parts of the Mower

Think of your lawnmower, even your push mower, as another vehicle in your possession and treat it with the same care and respect. Hence, safely cleaning your lawn mower before winter is essential. To winterize your mower, ensure everything under your mower is clear of dirt and debris and spray it down with a hose. Use your car soap to wash the body of your mower as well. A clean machine will make you smile when you pull it back out in the fall, and will help keep rust at bay.

Lube the Moving Parts

From the steering wheel to the push bars, grab a bottle of something like WD-40 to lube any moving parts of your machine. Once you've sprayed lubrication on all these parts, move them around to ensure they are well-greased. This will help you avoid any locked-up components after your mower sits through the winter. Using WD-40 with your lawn mower also has rust-prevention benefits. Some places on mowers require regular greasing when you're on this step, like the front axle, deck, and mower spindles. Well-lubed spindles will help keep your mower working at its best.

Disconnect the Battery

If your lawnmower has a battery, you will want to disconnect and store it before putting up your mower for the season. While a push behind mower may be light enough to move without turning it on, be sure to park your riding mower where you plan to keep it for the winter before removing the battery. Consider storing the battery inside your house, where it is in a temperature-controlled environment, to help extend its life. Don't keep it in the garage or basement (unless you have a finished basement that is temperature-regulated).

Store It Properly

As for your mower itself, keep it in a shed or garage if you have the space. If you don't have a shed or garage, you can purchase a tarp or specialized cover to place over your mower, helping to protect it from the elements. Even indoors, a tarp or cover will help keep dust and debris off your mower so that it'll be shiny and ready to go come spring. You also want to ensure it's stored in an area where you won't need to move it frequently.

11 DIY Laundry Detergent Alternatives to Try at Home

11 DIY Laundry Detergent Alternatives to Try at Home

M Hasan    8:03 AM   

Effective Laundry Detergent Substitutes

When you're faced with a mountain of laundry but can't make it to the store for more detergent, there's no need to panic. Many common household items can serve as effective substitutes for laundry detergent in a pinch. These alternatives are often found right in your kitchen or bathroom, making them easy to access when you need them most.

Common Household Items That Work as Laundry Detergent

Here are several items that can be used as a substitute for laundry detergent:

• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Lemon juice
• Dish soap (Dawn is often recommended)
• Shampoo or body wash
• Borax
• Vodka
• Powdered oxygen bleach
• Hydrogen peroxide

These items can help clean your clothes effectively, even without traditional laundry detergent.

Using Vinegar and Baking Soda as a Laundry Detergent Alternative

One of the most popular combinations is white vinegar and baking soda. This duo works well for heavily stained or soiled clothing, especially for smelly clothes like sports gear.

To use this method:

• Add a half cup of baking soda to the wash cycle.
• For extra grease-fighting power, add a small amount of dish soap like Dawn.
• During the rinse cycle, add a half cup of white vinegar. This acts as a natural fabric softener.

This combination helps remove stains and odors while keeping your clothes fresh.

Using Baking Soda and Lemon Juice for Laundry

If you don’t have vinegar on hand, lemon juice and baking soda can be just as effective. This is a great option for both white and colored clothes.

Steps to follow:

• Add a half cup of baking soda to the wash cycle.
• During the rinse cycle, replace vinegar with a half cup of lemon juice.
• For tough stains, apply lemon juice directly to the affected area before washing.

Lemon juice also helps brighten colors and eliminate odors.

Using Dish Soap Instead of Laundry Detergent

In an emergency, a small amount of dish soap like Dawn or Palmolive can work as a substitute for laundry detergent, especially for colored clothes that don’t require special care.

How to use:

• Add just a small squirt of dish soap to the laundry. Avoid using too much to prevent excessive suds.
• To ensure the soap rinses out properly, add a half cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle.

However, this method is not suitable for high-efficiency washing machines due to the risk of over-sudsing.

Using Shampoo as a Detergent Substitute

Shampoo can also be used as a substitute for laundry detergent, particularly for colored clothes. Use a gentle formula and be cautious with the amount, as shampoo can create a lot of suds.

Tips:

• Start with a small amount—about a capful.
• Avoid using this method in high-efficiency washing machines, as suds may not rinse out properly.

Using Bar Soap Flakes for Laundry

Bar soap can also be used as a quick alternative. Simply shave small flakes from a bar of soap and add them to your laundry load.

Guidelines:

• Use only a few flakes to avoid excess suds.
• If you’re concerned about leftover suds, run an extra rinse cycle.
• Not recommended for high-efficiency washing machines due to potential suds issues.

Using Vinegar for Stain Removal

Distilled white vinegar is a powerful stain remover and odor eliminator. It can be used during the wash cycle to help lift stains and freshen up your clothes.

How to use:

• Add a half cup of distilled vinegar to the wash cycle.
• This will help remove stains and odors without leaving a lingering smell.

Using Borax for All-Around Cleaning

Borax is an excellent all-purpose cleaner that can help whiten whites and combat hard water. However, it should be used sparingly, as it can cause skin irritation if used too frequently.

Instructions:

• Add a half cup of borax to a large load of laundry.
• Wash and dry as usual.
• Save any leftover borax to make homemade laundry detergent later.

Using Lemons to Brighten Clothes

Lemon juice is a natural whitening agent that can help brighten both white and colored fabrics. It also helps remove odors.

Method:

• Add a half cup of lemon juice to a regular load of laundry.
• Wash and dry as normal.

This is a great way to naturally refresh your clothes.

Using Vodka for Delicates

Vodka can be used to freshen up delicate items that aren’t heavily soiled. It’s a safe and effective way to remove odors without damaging sensitive fabrics.

How to use:

• Mix equal parts vodka and water in a spray bottle.
• Spray the solution onto the inside of the garment and let it dry.

This method is ideal for light cleaning and refreshing.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide for White Laundry

Hydrogen peroxide is a great option for brightening white clothes and removing stains.

Steps:

• Fill the washer with water.
• Add a cup of hydrogen peroxide.
• Run the cycle as usual.

This method is especially useful for restoring the brightness of white garments.

Using Oxygen-Based Bleach for Colored and White Clothes

Oxygen-based bleach is a safer alternative to chlorine bleach and works well on both colored and white clothes.

Instructions:

• Add ½ cup of oxygen-based bleach to the drum.
• Add your clothes and run the cycle as usual.

Always check the care label before using any bleach product.

Natural Ways to Wash Clothes Without Detergent

Even without traditional detergent, you can still keep your clothes clean and fresh. These natural methods are perfect for emergencies or when you want to reduce chemical use.

Remember, these substitutes can be used occasionally, but they shouldn’t replace regular laundry detergent entirely. If you enjoy the results, consider experimenting with DIY laundry solutions to find what works best for you.