- Stiff-bristled brush
- Cleaning cloth or rag
- File (like this 8'' Flat Hand Metal File on Amazon)
- Broom handle
- Plastic sheet or tarp
- Leaf blower (optional)
Maintaining one of the best cordless lawn mowers is much easier than keeping a gas-powered model firing on all cylinders.
You could be forgiven for growing complacent with no spark plugs to change and no engine to flood. Many users just put their cordless mower back into storage after each mow.
However, if you want to ensure your cordless mower stays in great condition and works properly for as long as possible, you'll need to perform some essential maintenance tasks regularly. Otherwise, the mower risks becoming less effective or breaking down prematurely.
In this guide, I’ll take you through five cordless lawn mower maintenance tasks you should consider adding to your yard care routine. I interviewed three gardening experts to ensure our advice is a cut above your average lawn mower maintenance guide – and you can find their commentary featured throughout this article.
Gardener Neil Donovan is owner of The Bath Gardener, a company providing gardening services such as lawn care, planting and landscaping in the south-west of England.
“Keeping your lawn mower in excellent working condition is a big part of maintaining a beautiful, healthy lawn, as it will help the mower work at its best all season long,” says Neil Donovan, a professional gardener who provides lawn care services as The Bath Gardener.
“Regular maintenance is also key to ensuring your lawn mower will last as long as possible – approximately 10-15 years.”
How to maintain a cordless lawn mower: quick steps
- Check condition after mowing
- Clean after mowing
- Keep the batteries charged
- Sharpen or replace the blade
- Winterize
How to maintain your cordless lawn mower: Step by step guide
1. Check condition after mowing
The quicker you catch a potential problem with your cordless mower, the better. With this in mind, it’s good practice to check over the mower after each use.
“Check for any signs of a loose or worn blade to ensure there has been no damage to the lawnmower,” says Lucy Rhead, in-house Gardening Enthusiast at Gtech.
“It is also vital to check that any safety covers or guards remain correctly fitted and undamaged,” she adds.
How often: After every mow
Lucy has worked at Gtech for more than five years during which time she’s developed a passion for cleaning and gardening. Lucy loves learning about new product innovations, and how they can help make everyone’s lives a bit easier.
2. Clean mower after mowing
Another important step after each use of your mower is cleaning.
“While you may not want to do this after every use, it is good practice to wipe down your lawnmower regularly,” says Lucy.
“Simply wipe off dried grass and mud with a dry cloth. Avoid using water, solvent, or polishes on your cordless lawnmower as you could damage the surface or trigger more serious issues.”
In addition to cleaning the outside of your cordless electric mower, you should turn the mower onto its side and clean the inside of the mowing deck.
“To start the cleaning process, remove the big, easy stuff like grass, leaves, or other debris from the deck,” says MyBuilder.com Gardening Expert James Lewis.
“When you get to cleaning the blade, make sure it is secure and can’t move. Avoid using too much water, as this can damage the components. It’s especially important to clean the blade because it will have been in contact with wet soil.”
“If you don’t have time after each cut, then it should be thoroughly cleaned at the end of summer each year,” he adds.
If you’re having trouble cleaning your mower with a cloth or brush, you could adopt a more intensive approach.
“Try using a leaf blower to blow away debris from the top deck and clean underneath it, removing the grass cuttings that tend to stick to the underside,” says Neil.
“Pay special attention to any exit flaps where cut grass travels through.”
How often: After every mow
James Lewis is an expert landscaper and gardener based in the UK. James works with MyBuilder.com, a service which helps households to find a tradesperson, gardener or landscaper to complete projects at their property.
3. Keep the batteries charged
Keeping your cordless mower’s lithium-ion batteries sufficiently charged between uses will ensure it is ready whenever needed. Plus, it can help extend the batteries' lifespan.
“An unused battery deteriorates faster than one that is used and recharged regularly, which is why any cordless garden tools should be charged at a minimum of 50%, especially over the colder months,” says Lucy.
“You should also check the battery level every couple of months as this will ultimately help to prolong their life and prevent over-discharge.”
How often: Ongoing
4. Sharpen or replace the blade
A lawn mower blade will become blunted through repeated use. If left unchecked, this can become a problem, as a blunt blade will often cut grass raggedly, leaving it with a brownish appearance and potentially leading to infection.
So, your grass will benefit greatly if you regularly remove and sharpen your mower’s blade – around once every 20 to 25 hours of mowing. If in doubt, sharpen once or twice per year. Here’s how to sharpen your lawn mower’s blade using a file.
Before reinstalling the sharpened blade in your lawn mower, try balancing it on top of a pivot, such as the end of a broom handle. If it doesn’t balance, you’ll need to file more material off the heavier end of the blade.
Eventually, lawn mower blades need to be replaced, as they break or become too worn down to cut effectively. Some experts recommend replacing your mower’s blade more frequently.
“Depending on how often you are using your cordless lawn mower, you should be replacing your blade at least every season or sooner if it is damaged or becoming blunt,” says Lucy.
“This will not only ensure your lawn mower is working at its optimum level but makes it much safer.”
A wide variety of replacement lawn mower blades are available at Amazon.
How often: Sharpen after every 20-25 hours of use; replace regularly
5. Winterization
Sometime around fall, it’s likely you’ll mow the lawn for the last time until spring. This is a crucial moment in your yearly lawn mower maintenance, as you’ll need to carry out several minor tasks to prepare the mower for safe storage. This is known as ‘winterization,’ and it's a key part of preparing your yard for winter.
Here are some key steps to winterize your cordless lawn mower:
- Remove batteries. These should be stored separately.
- Clean the mower thoroughly. Use the tips from Step #2 (above).
- Check for issues such as damage or rust. Fix any problems before winter storage.
- Dry the mower thoroughly. This helps to prevent rust during storage.
- Cover the mower with a plastic sheet or tarp. Make sure the material is waterproof, like this sheeting ($13.99, Amazon).
- Store in a safe, dry installation space. If storing in a shed, give the mower some ground clearance by standing it on a wooden pallet or something similar.
As well as winterizing the mower itself, you’ll need to store its batteries over winter safely.
“It’s best to keep the batteries in a room with a temperature of between 41.0 to 68.0 °F that is dry, sheltered, and away from direct sunlight,” says Lucy.
How often: Once per year (before winter storage)
Final thoughts
If you care about your lawn, you surely care about nature. Properly maintaining your mower is an important step towards reducing your yard’s carbon footprint, ensuring the machine will keep mowing effectively for as long as the manufacturer intended. In contrast, a poorly maintained mower may need to be replaced before it really should be.
Many cordless mower maintenance tasks are quick and easy and require very few additional tools or accessories. So, for the sake of your lawn, your mower, and the environment, make lawn mower maintenance a fixture of your lawn care routine.
How to maintain your cordless lawn mower: FAQs
Is maintaining a cordless lawn mower worth it?
Regular maintenance on your cordless lawn mower has some significant benefits. Above all, it will extend the machine’s lifespan and keep it performing at its best throughout the season.
“Effective cordless lawnmower maintenance can significantly impact its lifespan,” says Lucy.
“Regular cleaning and upkeep helps prevent rust, long-term wear, and other issues that could lead to costly repairs or the need for a replacement sooner than necessary.”
Many of the problems that cause a lawn mower to fail to start or permanently break result from inadequate maintenance. For instance, excessive strain on the motor can be limited through regular sharpening, while rust can be prevented through regular checks and cleaning.
How often do cordless mower batteries need to be replaced?
You’ll likely need to replace your cordless mower’s lithium-ion batteries at least once or twice during its lifespan.
“If your battery is not holding charge as long as it used to, taking longer to charge, or just not as powerful as it once was, then it may be a sign that you need a new battery,” says Lucy.
“When buying a new battery, always use a replacement from your lawn mower manufacturer to avoid further issues.”
Typically, a lithium-ion battery will last through 300 to 500 charge cycles, or 2-3 years, before it needs to be replaced.
How can I reduce the amount of maintenance that my cordless mower requires?
Good mowing habits and preparation can significantly reduce the wear and damage to your cordless mower, reducing its maintenance requirements.
“Always clear the lawn of debris such as sticks before cutting the lawn, as this will ensure the machine doesn’t work harder than necessary during mowing,” says Neil.
“And if the grass is particularly long, only cut half a width or row at a time.”
Proper storage of a cordless lawn mower or its batteries can cause many potential issues, including damage. Follow the manufacturer's storage instructions to reduce the risk of rust or breakages.
