As summer approaches so does the need for regular lawn care. Periodic cleaning of the lawn mower grass bag helps increase the life of the bag. This will also optimize your lawn mower’s functionality.
You can effectively clean your mower’s grass bag by emptying it, blowing out the dust, dry grass, and other matter. Next, you will have to hose it down thoroughly. Finally, you should perform a deep cleaning to eliminate mold, other toxins, and grass stains.
Most people don’t even realize that cleaning the grass bag is so important. I’ve compiled some simple steps to follow to maintain the cleanliness and life of your lawn mower grass bag. For more optimal cleanliness, you can perform a deep cleaning after following the first four steps to get rid of stains and prevent mold from forming.
Cleaning your grass bag
To clean your grass bag follow these simple steps. First, you should prepare the grass bag for cleaning. Next, you will unclog the pores in the fabric.
Then, hose the bag down. Finally you will brush the fabric of the bag. Additionally, a deeper clean can be performed to get rid of bad smells and prevent mold and mildew from forming.
You can read about these steps in more detain below.
Prepare the grass bag for cleaning
- First, make sure that your lawn mower is completely turned off to avoid any accidents. Put safety first when performing any kind of cleaning or maintenance on your lawn mower.
- Disconnect the grass bag. You should consult your user manual prior to doing this as different models operate differently.
- Empty the grass and leaves into a lawn refuse bag. Leftover grass and leaves can eventually decompose and cause mold and fungus which will make your grass bag smell and may cause the fabric to deteriorate.
- Make sure to shake out even the smallest remnants of lawn waste. This will make it easier to clean in later steps.
Unclog the pores in the fabric
The pores in the fabric of the grass bag can easily get clogged with . Later in the summer especially, when grass tends to be drier and dust and dirt settle in your yard, this becomes a bigger problem.
Tiny remnants of leaves can also get stuck. When this happens, it negatively impacts the overall functionality of your mower.
- Turn your grass bag upside down on a flat surface.
- Using a leaf blower or an air compressor with a nozzle blow air around the outside of the grass bag. This will help to further loosen any particles of lawn waste stuck in the fabric. If you use an air compressor, make sure you use one with a low psi to prevent tearing.
- After you have thoroughly worked your way around the outside of the grass bag, turn it inside out. Repeat the process over the entire surface of the inside of the bag to further clear the pores. Make sure to remove as much debris as possible or the bag will get muddy when you hose it down.
Hose the grass bag down
After blowing out the last bits of debris from your grass bag, you will want to hose it down. You can use a regular garden hose or if you want to remove more dirt, you can use a pressure washer with a low psi.
Most grass bags are made out of nylon and can’t withstand the strength of a pressure washer so this may be a better option if you have a grass bag that is made out of canvas or another more durable material.
After hosing the outside of the grass bag, turn it inside out and hose the inside of the bag generously.
Brush the grass bag
After hosing the bag to get rid of further dirt and grime, you will want to scrub it.
It is recommended that you scrub the bag with a soft brush like a utility scrub brush you would use on kitchen or bathroom tile or to scrub dishes.
If you don’t have a scrub brush at hand, or simply don’t want to use the same brush you use to wash your dishes, you can buy one from Amazon.
If you don’t have a soft-bristled utility scrub brush you can even use a toothbrush. This may take a bit longer as it will cover less surface area per brush stroke.
Most lawn bags are made of nylon so refrain from using a brush with steel bristles or even harder plastic bristles that can tear the material.
Once you’ve scrubbed the bag down, hose it one more time. Keep the bag turned inside out and let it dry in the sun before reattaching it to the lawn mower. This is important as it will prevent mold and mildew from forming on the inside of the bag.
Further cleansing: Removing grass (and other) stains
Now that you’ve completed a basic cleansing, you may want to take additional steps to eliminate
- Grass stains
- Mold
- and bad odors.
There are a number of ways you can clean the fabric of your grass bag. The deep clean will happen after you’ve hosed down the bag.
You can use an easy-to-make DIY stain remover.
You will need:
- Dawn dish detergent (the blue kind)
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Measuring spoons
- Plastic storage container.
Directions:
- Mix Dawn dish soap with hydrogen peroxide.
- Thicken with baking soda as needed.
- Brush solution on the stain
Let the lawn bag sit for an hour. If the stain is still visible, repeat the process. Once the stain is no longer visible, let the bag sit in the sun to dry.
An alternative solution is to use a homemade vinegar and baking soda paste.
To make the paste:
- Pour a little bit of baking soda in a bowl
- Add a few tablespoons of vinegar to the bowl and stir it with the measuring spoon until it turns into a paste.
Directions for using:
After mixing the paste, pour vinegar over the stain, then dab a bit of paste onto a clean rag and rub the paste over the stain until it comes out.
While your grass bag is drying, clean the receiving end of your lawn mower where the bag sits.
You can use the soft brush, but for this step a steel brush will be more effective in removing dirt and grime. This additional step will prevent further staining of the grass bag after it is re-attached to the lawn mower.
Removing mold and mildew from your grass bag
The two DIY remedies recommended for removing stains from your lawn bag can also be used to effectively kill mold and mildew on your lawn bag. Baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide are active agents in preventing mold and mildew.
One household product you can purchase that is effective in killing and preventing mold and mildew is the Star Brite Ultimate Mold and Mildew Stain Remover (buy on Amazon).
Make sure to store your lawn mower grass bag in a dry place. You can place a silica gel pack (buy on Amazon) in your bag to absorb moisture if it may be exposed to it while in storage.
Remember to remove the gel pack in the spring when you use your lawn mower again.
You can also toss a tablespoon or two of baking soda in your grass bag to make it smell better. Leave it in overnight and then empty it out before re-attaching it to the lawn mower.
The summer season is the time to enjoy our lawns and what better way to do that than with a clean and efficient lawn mower. Following these steps periodically will increase both the life of your lawn mower’s grass bag and the lawn mower’s overall life.