We Asked A Lawn Pro For The Best Way To Keep Grass From Sticking To Your Mower — Here's What They Said

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It's frustrating when you see uneven cuts peppering your yard after you've finished mowing. You may think you should sharpen your lawn mower blades, but grass clippings stuck to the deck can also lead to such results. In this exclusive interview with Jon Sneider, the owner of Jon Sneider Lawn Care & Tree Service, we asked why this happens and how to prevent it. Sneider told Hunker, "The easiest way to keep grass from sticking to the mower deck is to mow when the grass is dry and keep the underside of the deck clean."

Explaining the reason behind this tip, he says, "Wet grass sticks and clumps much more easily, and once that buildup starts, even more grass can collect underneath." This means breaking out your mower after it rains or when the morning dew is still clinging to grass blades is a big no. Though this will slightly restrict the times you can mow your yard, following this rule has multiple benefits, according to our lawn care expert. "A clean mower deck allows grass clippings to move through the mower the way they're supposed to. You'll get that clean and even cut, a better discharge of the clippings, and you're less likely to end up with clumps of wet grass all over the lawn," he states. That being said, you should still stick to a regular cleaning schedule for your deck to keep it in tip-top shape.

While mowing wet grass is the biggest mistake you can make, Sneider says that "another common mistake is not cleaning the underside of the deck after every use and letting grass build up underneath for several mowings before cleaning." And this can be problematic since "it is much easier to remove fresh grass than to deal with layers of dried, packed-on clippings later" he adds. As such, he recommends examining the deck after each session. This way, you can deal with stuck grass before it becomes a problem.

However, if you don't fancy tilting or lifting your equipment after each use, look for indicators. Sneider notes, "When your lawn stops having that crisp look after a mow, that will be your sign that the blades are dull and most likely the deck has a buildup of grass/mud under it." With that said, if you're dealing with damp, long, or thick grass, he suggests cleaning the deck immediately after every mowing session. Think the frequency is too much? Our expert says, "My crews mow 40 to 50 yards in a single day, and we have to clean the mower decks multiple times a day."

So, snap on your protective gloves and get a plastic scraper (a putty knife works, too) to remove grass clippings from your lawn mower deck. But before you start attacking the buildup, "ALWAYS make sure the mower is completely turned off and the blades have stopped before doing any cleaning or any other maintenance underneath it," he cautions. Also, don't forget to detach the spark plug wire from your gas-powered mower, pluck out the battery and safety key from your battery-operated model, and take out the key and pull the parking brake to minimize unwarranted accidents.

Even though it'll feel like extra work, it's a bad idea to let grass stick to your lawn mower deck. Explaining the reasons why, Sneider mentions, "... too much debris buildup underneath the deck can restrict airflow which will contribute to the mower no longer cutting and discharging grass properly. If that happens, you will most likely be left with an uneven cut and piles or clumps of grass on the lawn." This will increase your workload and make your yard look filthy instead of pristine, defeating the entire purpose of you mowing your yard.

There's another compelling reason why you should maintain a clean deck. Our expert reveals, "Maintaining a clean deck helps protect the longevity of the mower and keeps it working the way it was designed to." This will ensure your equipment doesn't start dragging its feet when you need it to glide smoothly. For the best results, our lawn care expert proposes, "Don't forget to clean the mower deck on the bottom and on top. Removing the debris from mowing helps prevent rust and, on mowers with belts, it can help the belts last longer." After cleaning your mower, use specialized products, such as Mo-Deck Non-Stick Deck Spray, to keep grass from sticking to your lawn mower and to make your life easier.