Not WD-40: How To Reduce Grass Sticking On Mower Blades With An Easy Change

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For many of us, mowing the yard feels like a tiring, tedious slog — especially when the sun is beating down on a hot summer day. But this job is even more frustrating when grass keeps clinging to the underside of your mower. Wet conditions can make the problem especially bad, causing clippings to stick together and potentially clog your mower deck. While some people use WD-40 or another non-stick product to deal with this problem, an easier no-cost solution is to raise your mower deck.

Curious about why this works? Check out this video from TikTok creator @thatlawndude. In it, he says, "The lower you go, the more grass clippings you're [going to] have, [and] the more it's going to bunch up." By raising a mower deck's height setting, you cut less grass at once, which can reduce the amount of material collecting beneath the deck.

As a result, this simple switch can save you time when mowing your lawn, since you won't have to apply WD-40 to the mower deck. Plus, you shouldn't have to remove as much grass or clear clogs after you finish mowing. And unlike a spray product, changing the height setting costs nothing. A can of WD-40 might cost around $8 on Amazon, and specialty products — like the Mo-Deck Non-Stick Mower Blade Spray — are even pricier, costing around $20 per can. So this method may be better for a number of reasons.

Every lawn mower is different, so check your owner's manual for model-specific instructions. However, here are the typical steps. Start by parking the mower on flat ground, such as your driveway or sidewalk. Next, turn it off and disconnect the spark plug to prevent it from starting accidentally. From there, adjust the levers to increase the deck height. If you have a push mower, you can typically find them near the wheels. On ride-on mowers, the levers are usually near the seat.

@thatlawndude

Raise that mower deck when it's wet #thatlawndude #lawncare #mowing @Gravely #prostanceultra

♬ original sound – Chase

So, how high should you raise the deck? When mowing wet grass, @thatlawnguy recommends going up one or two settings from your normal height. For context, the right length to mow your lawn depends on the kind of grass you have. For most types, aim for a height of 2 to 4 inches.

Aside from saving you time and money, this tip can also protect your mower. That's because using a higher setting can prevent your lawn mower deck from clogging. This puts less stress on your mower's engine and can potentially help you avoid expensive repairs and breakdowns. It can be good for the health of your grass, too. If your deck is set too low, there's an increased chance of accidentally scalping your lawn, which can leave it vulnerable to weeds and disease.