It’s spring, and many of us haven’t even seen the lawnmower since it was buried under the kids’ yard toys last October. In most of the country, the grass is growing again and probably needs mowing. You can make this year’s landscape maintenance safer, easier, and help your tools last longer with some simple preventative maintenance.

The lawnmower could definitely use an oil change; it’s easy to do yourself. First, drain the gas and remove the spark plug wire to prevent accidental starts and/or loss of body parts. There’s a bolt under the housing that faces up, if you remove it you’ll find that oil comes out. Drain the oil into an appropriate container to be recycled. Clean the bolt and the area that it seats on and then re-install the bolt, tightening firmly.

Now, tip the mower back on its wheels and locate the oil fill. This is usually a plastic plug that unscrews. Fill to the proper level with the oil type and viscosity recommended by the manufacturer. Check in your owner’s manual or go online to the manufacturer’s website to determine the proper fill level for your model. While the mower’s already being worked on, it may very well enjoy having its blade sharpened. You can do this yourself also, or take the blade to a lawnmower or small engine repair shop to have it professionally sharpened.

To remove the blade, turn your mower over after you’ve drained the gas and disconnected the spark plug wire. Once again, it’s important to disconnect the spark plug or you’re liable to wind up with missing parts you’d rather not be parted with. Take a block of wood and wedge the blade against the housing to prevent it from turning. Remove the bolt in the center of the blade to release the blade. Clamp it in a vise and file each cutting surface the same number of strokes. This helps keep your blade in balance. You can reinstall the blade now.

Your mower will love you; especially if you round up those yard toys before the first lawn mowing of the season. Maybe the toys could use a new shed– yet another fun Home Improvement project to add to your list.