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Can lawn mowers be stored outside?

May 25, 2022 by Angel Leave a Comment

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There is some debate about whether lawn mowers can and should be stored outside and left to be rained on. There are some people who have never brought their lawn mower under any cover, and of course others who hardly let their mower see any light.

There are some things to consider if you want to store your lawn mower outside. First of all, a lawn mower can absolutely be stored outside but it will significantly shorten the lifespan of your mower. The constant sun beating down and the rain will wear out the paint, plastic, and especially any soft materials like foam handles or seats.

Text reads, "How to store your lawn mower outside (without a shed)." To the left of the text is a photo of a riding lawn mower covered by a vinyl tarp. The lawn mower is outside on the grass and is parked next to a white house.

This post includes affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission on purchases made at no additional cost to you.

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Best Choice
Tarp Cover White Heavy Duty 10X12 Thick Material, Waterproof, Great for...
Tarp Cover White Heavy Duty 10X12 Thick Material, Waterproof, Great for...
Check current price
Long Term Solution
ShelterLogic 6' x 12' Shed-in-a-Box All Season Steel Metal Frame Peak Roof...
ShelterLogic 6' x 12' Shed-in-a-Box All Season Steel Metal Frame Peak Roof...
Check current price
Cheap but it works!
H&ZT Bike Storage Tent - 6.6'x 3'x 5.3' Outdoor Bike Cover - Waterproof...
H&ZT Bike Storage Tent - 6.6'x 3'x 5.3' Outdoor Bike Cover - Waterproof...
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Any bare metal will also rust. Since most mowers are made of some form of steel, they are susceptible to corrosion if exposed to humidity. Keeping your mower outside without any protection is risky business. However, there are some options you can try to minimize the damage done by the elements.

I personally keep my lawn mower outside but I take precautions to minimize any rain damage. For instance, I like using a used vinyl billboard as a tarp for my mower. Since I mow very often, I like to keep the machine close by.

Can I leave my lawn mower outside in the rain?

Yes, but there will be some minor damage on every rain. First, any exposed electronics will start to get damaged. The one which is most obvious is the hour indicator on all lawn mowers. The actual electronics may not get damaged but the indicator will eventually give out because they are not rated to be water proof.

Where to store my lawn mower without a shed?

Storing your lawnmower outside can be done very easily. There are a couple options you can consider to keep your mower safe from the elements and away from prying eyes.

The easiest is using a tarp. Anything will do but a heavy duty tarp like these is best. We use them to cover our chicken coops and they have proven to be very reliable in the rain, sun, and snow. This tarp is essentially water proof, even on rainy days our chickens are out foraging while staying dry beneath the tarp.

There are two photos. The text of the left photo reads, "Stays Tights" in a bright neon font. The photo is of a white heavy duty tarp stretched out over a chicken coop. The text of photo on the right reads, "No Tears." The photo is a close up of a the same white tarp at the top of the coop where wire and a sharp wooden corner is. The tarp is tightly stretched without any rips.

There are various sizes but you’ll at least need a 10’x12′ tarp to cover your mower. If you are covering a riding mower, a 12’x16′ tarp may be more your size. Be sure to go with a medium to heavy duty tarp so that no water gets through to your mower.

Be sure to go with the heavy duty tarp instead of the cheap lightweight blue tarp because your short term solution may end up being a long term solution and then you will still need to buy the more expensive tarp.

Text reads, "tears easily." The photo to the left is of a blue lightweight tarp with a hole in the middle of the tarp. The photo on the right is of the same blue tarp with a frayed hole in the center.
Tarp Cover White Heavy Duty 10X12 Thick Material, Waterproof, Great for...
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Be sure to use some bungee cords if your are concerned that the wind will whisk the tarp away.

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There are also various quick shelters which won’t break the bank. Check out these top recommended shelters which are easy to assemble and provide your lawn mower the protection it needs.

ShelterLogic Shed-in-a-Box

The ShelterLogic Shed in a Box is a great choice for long term storage of your equipment. It is a little pricey but it is cheaper than a plastic or metal shed and it is very easy to move. It’s not as flimsy as an EZ-UP and will hold up to quite a bit of punishment from the wind and rain.

The roll up door makes it easy to walk in and out of the shed, you can even ride your mower in. A 6’x12′ size is more than enough room to fit your mower and have enough room for other equipment. If all you need is storage for a small mower, then a 6’x6′ should be all you need.

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  • WATERPROOF COVERAGE: Grey cover is durable and made from an advanced triple-layer ripstop that is waterproof and UV-treated to resist fading
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H&ZT Storage Tent

This type of storage tent is an inexpensive way to store your lawn mower and anything else which you want to keep out of the rain. However, it is flimsy and will get pummeled by the wind and rain after a couple of weeks.

However, if you are needing a quick solution, this tent will help keep your mower dry and dust free, at least for a couple of weeks.

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Angel

Angel is a Cuban immigrant who grew up with backyard chickens and a yard-loving abuela. He is our “gear guy” who can never have too many pairs of gloves or weed whacker attachments.

Filed Under: Tools & Equipment, Yardwork Tools

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