- Rag or paper towel<\/li>
- Dish soap and warm water (foam filters only)<\/li>
- Clean engine oil (foam filters only)<\/li>
- Replacement filter if needed<\/li>
- Depending on your lawn mower type, possibly 8mm or 10mm socket wrench\/nut driver, or philips head screw driver (check your lawn mower manual)<\/li> <\/ul>
Time required to clean or replace your mower\u2019s air filter:<\/strong><\/p>
- Most self-propelled push mowers: about 1 minute<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Zero turn or riding mower: usually longer, around 5-10 minutes <\/strong>due to access <\/li> <\/ul>
3 types of lawn mower air filters<\/h2>
Gas-powered mowers have one of 3 types of air filters \u2013 paper, foam, or dual-element air filters:<\/p>
Paper filters<\/h3>
- Accordion-style pleated paper<\/li>
- Common on newer push mowers and riding mowers<\/li> <\/ul>
Do not wash<\/strong><\/p>
- Replace when dirty or at least once per season<\/li> <\/ul>
Pro Tip: <\/strong>If you can\u2019t see light through the pleats in the paper air filter, it\u2019s time to replace it.<\/p>
Foam filters<\/h3>
- Made of sponge-like material<\/li>
- Common on older or smaller engines<\/li>
- Washable and reusable<\/li>
- Replace if torn, brittle, or misshapen<\/li> <\/ul>
Dual-element filters<\/h3>
- Foam pre-filter wrapped around a paper filter<\/li>
- Clean and reuse the foam<\/li>
- Replace the paper element when dirty<\/li> <\/ul>
Step-by-step: How to clean or replace your air filter<\/h2>
1. Turn the mower off and let it cool<\/h3>
Disconnect the spark plug wire so the mower can\u2019t accidentally start. (Not completely necessary, but safe is always better than sorry. Fingers don’t grow back like the grass.)<\/p>
2. Locate the air filter<\/h3>
![\"Male](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/AdobeStock_292544319-1.jpeg\")
Person replacing mower air filter. Photo Credit: Scott Habermann<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure> - Push mowers:<\/strong> Typically inside a small housing on the side of the engine<\/li>
- Zero turns and riding mowers: <\/strong>Usually under the hood or behind a panel and often larger<\/li> <\/ul>
3. Remove the filter<\/h3>
Wipe loose dirt off the housing first so debris doesn\u2019t fall into the intake. Remove the cover and gently pull out the filter.<\/p>
4. Clean or replace the filter<\/h3>
Paper filters:<\/strong><\/p>
- Tap gently to knock off loose dust<\/li>
- Compressed air (optional): blow from the clean side outward<\/strong> (opposite normal airflow), using short bursts and keeping the nozzle a few inches back<\/li> <\/ul>
Replace if the filter is dark, clogged, oily, or damaged.<\/p>
Foam filters:<\/strong><\/p>
- Wash with warm water and dish soap<\/li>
- Rinse until clean<\/li>
- Squeeze dry (don\u2019t wring)<\/li>
- Let dry completely<\/li>
- Apply a small amount of clean engine oil and squeeze out the excess so the filter is lightly oiled, not dripping<\/li> <\/ul>
Pro Tip:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>
Dual-element filters:<\/strong><\/p>
- Separate the foam pre-filter from the paper filter. <\/li>
- Clean the foam and inspect the paper. <\/li>
- Replace the paper element if it\u2019s dirty.<\/li> <\/ul>
5. Clean the filter housing<\/h3>
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.<\/p>
6. Reinstall the filter and secure the cover<\/h3>
![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Replacing-Air-Filter.jpeg\")
Installing air filter on a lawn mower. Photo Credit: Milan Noga reco<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure> Make sure the filter sits flat and seals properly. Reattach the cover and secure it fully, then reconnect the spark plug wire.<\/p>
Important<\/strong>: If the air filter cover isn\u2019t fully clicked or tightened, vibration can cause it to come loose while mowing. I didn\u2019t have mine clipped on all the way once, it came off, fell into the grass, and was run over and pulverized.<\/p>
Pro Tip: <\/strong>Before starting the mower, give the cover a quick tug. If it moves, it\u2019s not on correctly.<\/p>
Signs your air filter needs attention<\/h2>
- Hard starting<\/li>
- Your mower bogs down in thick grass<\/li>
- Rough idle or stalling<\/li>
- Black smoke<\/li>
- Poor fuel efficiency<\/li> <\/ul>
Why you need to clean and replace your mower\u2019s air filter<\/h2>
Your lawn mower\u2019s 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. <\/p>
Ignore a clogged air filter long enough and you\u2019re inviting unnecessary engine wear.<\/p>
FAQs<\/h2>
How often should you clean or replace your mower\u2019s air filter?<\/strong>As a general rule:
Push mower vs zero turn: what\u2019s different with the air filters?<\/strong>The process is the same. Access is the only difference.
Read Next:<\/strong><\/p>
\u2013 Best Lawn Mower Maintenance Practices
<\/a>\u2013 How Often Should You Sharpen Mower Blades?
<\/a>\u2013 How to Clean a Lawn Mower Deck<\/a><\/p>Main Image: Person replacing air filter on gas powered lawn mower. Image Credit: atipong<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock, generated with AI<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Got a dirty mower air filter? No sweat. Lawn care pro Chelsea Morris shows you how to clean and replace your mower air filter in 6 quick steps.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":130,"featured_media":44619,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"\n
Cleaning or replacing your lawn mower's air filter is simple. First, identify the type of filter you have \u2014 paper, foam, or a combination of both \u2014 to clean or replace it correctly. Some just need a tap to remove dirt, while others require a thorough wash. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This small but important part prevents dirt and grass clippings from entering the engine. When it becomes clogged, airflow is reduced, causing the engine to work harder, burn more fuel, and even risk damage over time. It\u2019s best to clean a foam filter every 25 hours of use and replace paper filters at least once per season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this guide, I\u2019ll explain how to identify your filter type, clean or replace it properly, and troubleshoot common filter-related issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Zero turns and riding mowers: <\/strong>Usually under the hood or behind a panel and often larger<\/li> <\/ul>
- Push mowers:<\/strong> Typically inside a small housing on the side of the engine<\/li>
- Replace when dirty or at least once per season<\/li> <\/ul>
- Zero turn or riding mower: usually longer, around 5-10 minutes <\/strong>due to access <\/li> <\/ul>
- Most self-propelled push mowers: about 1 minute<\/strong>.<\/li>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Cleaning-air-filter.jpeg\")