How to Change a Lawn Mower Air Filter

How to Clean a Foam Air Filter

If your mower has a foam filter, you don’t have to replace it unless it’s torn or won’t come clean. Follow the above instructions to remove the filter from the mower, then:

• Wash Foam Air Filter: Wash the foam air filter thoroughly using mild dish soap and water. Avoid using detergents – they’ll leave slippery residues that are nearly impossible to rinse out.
• Dry Foam Air Filter: Squeeze any excess water out of the foam air filter, then dry it further by blotting the foam air filter with a clean rag or paper towels, until no more water comes out.
• Oil Foam Air Filter: Before completing this step, check the owner’s manual for your lawn mower, since some newer models have non-oiled filters. To oil the filter, apply a spoonful of engine oil to the foam, and work the foam between your fingers to distribute the oil. Blot the foam air filter with a paper towel or rag to remove any excess oil – it just needs to be very lightly coated, not soaked. To keep your hands clean, you can drop the filter and a little oil down inside a plastic zip-top bag and work it in through the plastic.
• Reattach Foam Air Filter: Put the foam air filter back in the compartment in the mower, and screw the cover back on.

Further Information

• How to Change a Lawn Mower Spark Plug (article)
• Lawn Mower Maintenance (article/video)