I didn’t winterize my lawnmower. What should I do before spring? [SOLVED]

Hi Angela,

Good question! While your lawn mower is probably just fine since it was just one winter, you can add a cleaning dose of Sea Foam to get it ready for spring. When a mower sits with fuel in it, the biggest issue is fuel gum and varnish forming in the carburetor. Sea Foam will clean it up and help make sure it runs well all summer.

Here’s what I’d do before you start using it this spring:

• If possible, drain the old fuel (or run it till almost empty)
• Add a cleaning dosage of Sea Foam to fresh gas (up to a 1:2 ratio of Sea Foam to gas. A 16 oz can of Sea Foam in ½-1 gallon of fuel would be convenient and a good starting point).
• Start the mower and let it run for a few minutes. That will draw the Sea Foam into the fuel system. As you run it this spring, the Sea Foam will continue to clean up any gum and varnish that formed while it was sitting, and prevent any more from forming.

For the rest of the season, keep using 1–2 ounces per gallon to help prevent any fuel-related issues. If you add it to every tank of gas it’ll go a long ways towards preventing problems.