Storing your lawnmower properly can go a long way to ensure it stays in great shape and continues to perform optimally every time you wheel it onto your lawn. Given that purchasing a lawnmower is always a meaningful investment, you will want it to last for as many years as possible. But the big question is; where do you store your lawnmower when the harsh winter kicks in to ensure it is fully protected? Worry no more because you have come to the right place.
So, what are some of the ideas to store your lawnmower? Your #1 option should always be your garage or garden shed because it protects your lawnmower from extreme weather conditions, keeps it secure, and provides you with quick access to it every time you want to use it. If your garage is already full and you don’t have a garden shed, you should consider storing your lawnmower in your basement, storage box outside, store it outside under a cover, or build a mini shed specifically for storing the lawnmower.
Read on if you are looking for ideas to store your lawnmower safely and securely. We will discuss some outstanding lawn mower storage ideas that will help you figure out which solution is the best fit for your unique needs.
Why Is It Important to Store Your Lawn Mower Safely?
Before we start to discuss some of the best ways to store your lawnmower, let us quickly take a look at why it is so important to store it properly.
First, storing your lawnmower in the wrong place can lead to severe damage and shorten its lifespan significantly. Secondly, if you don’t store your lawnmower in a protected area, it can easily get damaged by harsh weather conditions, such as rain, snow, and wind.
Keep in mind that some parts of your lawnmower are made of metal and other delicate materials, so it is essential to store it in a place where it will be free from moisture, pests, and other elements that may cause damage.
And finally, if you don’t store your lawnmower properly, it can be easy for someone to steal it.
Best Ways to Store Your Lawn Mower
Now that we have discussed some of the reasons you should store your lawnmower properly, let us look at some of the best ways to do it.
1. Garage or Garden Shed
This is by far the best option for storing your lawnmower. A garage provides the perfect protected environment for your lawnmower since it is weatherproof and secure. If you don’t have a garage, then a garden shed will do just fine.
Storing your lawnmower in a garage will help protect it from relatively harsh weather conditions keeping it dry year-round. That is crucial, especially if you have an electric mower.
Exposing your lawnmower to moisture can lead to extensive corrosion of metal components which can cost you a lot of money in repairs. The indoor environment of a garage or garden shed also protects the lawnmower from extreme temperatures and strong winds.
The only downside of storing your lawnmower in your garage or garden shed is that it can take up a lot of space, so you may have to get creative with how you arrange everything. But other than that, this is the best option for storing your lawnmower.
Can I Store My Lawn Mower Vertically in a Garage?
The truth is that storing your lawnmower in a garage can take up a lot of space. So, if you are extremely limited on space, you may be wondering if you can store your mower vertically to save on space.
Unless your mower was built for vertical storage, we highly discourage it. Vertical storage can cause oil and fuel to drip into the engine causing massive problems.
Feel free to check your manufacturer’s storage recommendations to determine if your lawnmower was built for vertical storage. If it wasn’t built for vertical storage, you should always keep it flat on the ground.
2. Basement
If you don’t have a garage or garden shed, your next best option is to store your lawnmower in the basement. This is a good option if you have a lot of extra space in your basement and it is protected from moisture and pests.
Be sure to keep your lawnmower in an area that will not flood and is well-ventilated to prevent any moisture damage. Also, keep your basement free from clutter, so you have easy access to your lawnmower when you need it.
The downside of storing the lawnmower in your basement is that you have to carry it through your house. The basic push model or the smaller electric mower won’t be too difficult because these options are relatively light in weight.
However, if you have the gas or battery-powered option, maneuvering it down your basement without messing up with a few things in your house can be extremely challenging.
The other thing you should bear in mind is safety. If you own a gas mower, you must drain it of gasoline before storing it; otherwise, it will pose a significant safety risk.
Draining the gasoline and refiling it the next time you want to use it adds quite a bit of time to the process of trimming your lawn.
3. Storage Box Outside
If you don’t have a garage or basement, you can store your lawnmower in a storage box outside. This is a good option if you have a covered porch or deck. Just be sure to keep your lawnmower in an area free from pests, moisture, and harsh weather conditions.
You can purchase a storage box specifically designed for lawn mowers or use an old wooden crate or container. The important thing is to make sure the container is sturdy enough to protect your lawnmower from the elements.
The downside of storing your lawnmower in a storage box outside is that it is not as secure as a garage or garden shed. If you live in an area with a lot of foot traffic, there is a chance that someone could easily steal your lawnmower.
So, if security is a concern for you, then this may not be the best option. But if you have a safe place to store your lawnmower, this is a viable storage solution.
4. Build a Mini Shed
Homeowners usually use a mini shed to store a wide range of items that can’t be stored inside the house, such as pesticides and other chemicals. But a mini shed can also be used to store your lawnmower.
This is an excellent option if you have the space and the knowledge on how to build one. You can find a wide range of plans online or in magazines that show you how to build a mini shed from scratch.
The downside of this option is that it requires a lot of time and effort to build the mini shed. If you’re not comfortable with carpentry, it may be best to hire a professional to do the job for you.
5. Purchase a Storage Shed
If you don’t have the time or skills to build your own mini shed, you can always purchase a storage shed. This is an excellent option if you have the budget for it.
Storage sheds come in a wide range of sizes and styles, so you can find one that perfectly fits your needs. Just be sure to place it in an area that is easily accessible and free from moisture and pests.
The downside of this option is that storage sheds can be pretty expensive. But if you plan to use it for purposes other than just storing your lawnmower, the cost may be worth it.
6. Outside Under a Cover
If you don’t have any of the options mentioned above and have little money to spend, purchase a high-quality waterproof lawn mower cover and store it in a safe place in your yard.
As long as you have enough space in your backyard and your area’s climate is fairly consistent, meaning it only rains sparingly, this option can work perfectly well.
However, we would only recommend using this option if you don’t have any other option. If other people have access to your home, it can still be risky to store your lawnmower outside.
If you own a relatively small lawn but have the typical gas or electric mower, consider trading it in with a standard push reel lawnmower. This mower is relatively small in size, making it somewhat easier to find it a home when storage space is at a premium.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know the best ways to store your lawnmower, it’s time to choose the option that works best for you. If you have a garage, garden shed, or basement, these are the best places to store your lawnmower.
If you don’t have one of these options, you can use a storage box outside, but be sure to keep it in a safe and secure place.
Whichever option you choose, just follow the tips above to ensure your lawnmower stays in good condition for years to come.
