Pull on heavy work gloves and use a flat pry bar or putty knife to scrape off any dried-on clumps of grass. Remove all dirt and debris with a wire brush.

Next, use the hose to give the underside and blade a thorough spray-down. If you prefer to remove the mower blade and clean it separately, use a socket wrench to remove the bolts that hold it in place. Lay the blade on its side, and hose it off. Let everything dry thoroughly, reattach the blade if you’ve removed it, and proceed to the next step.

First, spread out a tarp to catch any oil splatter and have an oil pan handy. Next, locate your oil drain plug in the engine compartment and open it. Depending on what kind of mower you have—walk-behind or riding—you can attach a hose to the drain or place a funnel with a hose attached to it just below the drain; the hose should direct the flow of oil right to the pan. After draining, replace the plug (also cleaned of gunk and build-up), and add in new oil, following the guidelines in your owner’s manual. Be sure to properly recycle your old oil when finished, and contact your local waste and sanitation department for proper disposal.

Whether you choose to store your mower in a barn, shed, garage, or other building, make sure you pick a spot where it can stay dry and protected from the elements. Park it far away from potential sources of flames or heat, such as water heaters, furnaces, and appliances with pilot lights.

Extra protection never hurts, which is why it’s a good idea to cover your resting mower with a waterproof tarp.