Cleaning your lawn mower's air filter involves three simple steps: finding, cleaning, and either reassembling or replacing it. Our team at Mowrator may be proficient at making revolutionary remote control lawn mowers, but we know a little about how to clean the air filter on a lawn mower, too. We've written this article to help you understand the difference between different types of air filters, the tools you'll need, and how to clean your filter properly.
Key Takeaways
- Cleaning a lawn mower air filter involves three steps: locating it, cleaning it with mild soap or a cleaning solution, and reassembling or replacing it if damaged.
- Foam air filters are reusable with proper cleaning and oiling, while you need to throw paper filters out when they get dirty or worn out.
- Regular maintenance of air filters every 25 hours of use (or more in dusty conditions) ensures optimal lawn mower performance and longevity.
What's the Difference Between Foam & Paper Air Filters?
The main difference between foam and paper air filters is that one is made from foam material while the other is made from pleated paper. The different properties of foam and paper make each air filter great for specific tasks, but not as good for others. Let's take a look through the table below:
| Differences | Foam Filters | Paper Filters |
|---|---|---|
| What it's made from… | Foam (requires oiling) | Pleated paper |
| What it does well… | Trapping large particles | Trapping fine particles |
| How often to replace it… | Foam filters are reusable every 25 hours of use when you wash and re-oil them. | Every 25 to 100 hours of use. Not reusable. |
What Tools do You Need to Clean an Air Filter?
The tools you need to clean an air filter are paper towels, toolbox tools like a screwdriver, and a cleaning agent to clean your air filter. Here’s a complete list of the tools you’ll need:
- A screwdriver
- Mild soap
- Paper towels
- Engine oil
- Compressed air
How to Clean a Lawn Mower Air Filter in 3 Easy Steps
Clean or replace your lawn mower air filter in three simple steps. Start by finding where your air filter is, cleaning it, and then either reassembling it or replacing it if it has significant wear and tear.
We'll focus on a foam air filter for this guide, as you can only replace it once you've removed it.
1. Find your Air Filter
Before you locate your air filter, it's crucial that you entirely turn off your lawn mower and disconnect the spark plug. This will help ensure that your lawn mower won't accidentally turn on while you're cleaning your air filter, preventing a possible three to nine-day hospital visit because of lawn mowers.
You can find your lawn mower air filter within the housing of your lawn mower, so you'll need to remove it to access your filter. This is where your screwdriver will come in handy to access the housing of riding mowers and petrol mowers. Once you've found the air filter, carefully remove it.
You may also need to separate the foam air filter from its plastic. Do this carefully to avoid tearing.
2. Clean your Air Filter
After removing the air filter from its housing, it's time to clean the filter. Wear gloves to protect yourself from chemicals and dirt during this process. Also, place a paper towel over your engine while you clean the lawnmower air filter to prevent debris from entering the engine.
To clean a lawnmower air filter, you will need an air filter cleaning solution that breaks down the accumulated dust and dirt. Avoid using petrol-based cleaning solutions as they can damage the foam and the glue seams holding them together.
For the best results, submerge the filter into a lukewarm and soapy water bucket, massaging it until all hints of dirt and oil are removed. Once you're satisfied, ensure that no leftover soap or cleaning solution remains on the filter. Squeeze out as much water as you can without wringing it, and hang it to dry completely.
3. Reassemble or Replace your Air Filter
To reassemble your air filter, start by applying an air filter oil evenly across its surface area. You can fully submerge it in the oil, squeezing any excess once thoroughly coated. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes for proper absorption and stop over-saturation.
You can reattach the newly oiled air filter back to its plastic cage if placed in one beforehand, then put it back within the mower's housing and reattach the spark plug. If your air filter is broken or torn while cleaning it, it's better to replace it.
Why worry about cleaning or replacing your air filter when you can invest in a fully electric remote-controlled lawn mower? Mowrator's collection of RC lawn mowers offers the power of a ride-on lawn mower with the precision of a robot mower. Shop the future of lawn care today.
FAQs on How to Clean a Lawn Mower Air Filter
Is it OK to clean an air filter with water?
Yes, it is generally safe to clean a foam air filter with water, but you need to do it correctly to avoid damage and ensure proper performance. The more you clean your lawn mower air filter before replacing it, the less effective it will be at filtering, so you must replace it after a few months of use.
Can you reuse a lawn mower air filter?
Yes, you can reuse a foam lawn mower air filter, provided it is properly cleaned and maintained. Foam filters are designed to be washable and reusable, and manufacturers recommend cleaning them every 25 hours of operation or more frequently in dusty conditions to maintain optimal performance. However, paper air filters are not reusable and need replacement when excessively dirty or damaged, as cleaning them does not restore their filtration efficiency.
Back to Top: How to Clean a Lawn Mower Air Filter
