Cleaning and replacing your lawn mower’s air filter takes anywhere from a minute to 5-10 minutes, depending on the type of air filter. It’s simple. It’s something I do routinely as a lawn mowing pro, but you should do this with your own lawn mower too.
In this article, I’ll show you how to clean and replace your lawn mower’s air filter like a lawn care pro. I’ll explain why and how often you need to clean and replace your air filter, and a whole lot more.
What you’ll need
- Rag or paper towel
- Dish soap and warm water (foam filters only)
- Clean engine oil (foam filters only)
- Replacement filter if needed
- Depending on your lawn mower type, possibly 8mm or 10mm socket wrench/nut driver, or philips head screw driver (check your lawn mower manual)
Time required to clean or replace your mower’s air filter:
- Most self-propelled push mowers: about 1 minute.
- Zero turn or riding mower: usually longer, around 5-10 minutes due to access
3 types of lawn mower air filters
Gas-powered mowers have one of 3 types of air filters – paper, foam, or dual-element air filters:
Paper filters
- Accordion-style pleated paper
- Common on newer push mowers and riding mowers
Do not wash
- Replace when dirty or at least once per season
Pro Tip: If you can’t see light through the pleats in the paper air filter, it’s time to replace it.
Foam filters
- Made of sponge-like material
- Common on older or smaller engines
- Washable and reusable
- Replace if torn, brittle, or misshapen
Dual-element filters
- Foam pre-filter wrapped around a paper filter
- Clean and reuse the foam
- Replace the paper element when dirty
Step-by-step: How to clean or replace your air filter
1. Turn the mower off and let it cool
Disconnect the spark plug wire so the mower can’t accidentally start. (Not completely necessary, but safe is always better than sorry. Fingers don’t grow back like the grass.)
2. Locate the air filter
- Push mowers: Typically inside a small housing on the side of the engine
- Zero turns and riding mowers: Usually under the hood or behind a panel and often larger
3. Remove the filter
Wipe loose dirt off the housing first so debris doesn’t fall into the intake. Remove the cover and gently pull out the filter.
4. Clean or replace the filter
Paper filters:
- Tap gently to knock off loose dust
- Compressed air (optional): blow from the clean side outward (opposite normal airflow), using short bursts and keeping the nozzle a few inches back
Replace if the filter is dark, clogged, oily, or damaged.
Foam filters:
- Wash with warm water and dish soap
- Rinse until clean
- Squeeze dry (don’t wring)
- Let dry completely
- Apply a small amount of clean engine oil and squeeze out the excess so the filter is lightly oiled, not dripping
Pro Tip: Place the foam filter in a zip-top bag with oil and squeeze it through the bag to distribute the oil evenly and keep your hands clean.
Dual-element filters:
- Separate the foam pre-filter from the paper filter.
- Clean the foam and inspect the paper.
- Replace the paper element if it’s dirty.
5. Clean the filter housing
Wipe out dust and debris with a dry rag. If you find oil or fuel inside the housing, the mower may have been tipped or the carburetor may be flooding.
6. Reinstall the filter and secure the cover
Make sure the filter sits flat and seals properly. Reattach the cover and secure it fully, then reconnect the spark plug wire.
Important: If the air filter cover isn’t fully clicked or tightened, vibration can cause it to come loose while mowing. I didn’t have mine clipped on all the way once, it came off, fell into the grass, and was run over and pulverized.
Pro Tip: Before starting the mower, give the cover a quick tug. If it moves, it’s not on correctly.
Signs your air filter needs attention
- Hard starting
- Your mower bogs down in thick grass
- Rough idle or stalling
- Black smoke
- Poor fuel efficiency
Why you need to clean and replace your mower’s air filter
Your lawn mower’s air filter keeps dirt, dust, and grass clippings out of the engine. When it gets clogged, airflow drops and the engine has to work harder. That can cause rough running, bogging you down, black smoke, and higher fuel use.
Ignore a clogged air filter long enough and you’re inviting unnecessary engine wear.
FAQs
As a general rule:
• Check the air filter every 25 hours of use or once a month during mowing season.
• Replace paper filters at least once per season, more often in dusty conditions.
• Clean foam filters as needed and replace them when they start tearing or getting brittle.
The process is the same. Access is the only difference.
• Push mowers (like a Honda self-propelled): Usually tool-free with a quick side cover.
• Zero turns and riding mowers: Often under a hood or panel and may require a screwdriver, nut driver, or socket.
Read Next:
– Best Lawn Mower Maintenance Practices
– How Often Should You Sharpen Mower Blades?
– How to Clean a Lawn Mower Deck
Main Image: Person replacing air filter on gas powered lawn mower. Image Credit: atipong / Adobe Stock, generated with AI
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