You can make your lawn mower or tractor work more effectively and extend the life of its deck by cleaning off grass clippings, dirt, and debris from the underside of the deck, preferably after each use and especially if your yard is damp when you mow. A built-in washout port (to which you attach a garden hose, as you'll see at about 3'25" into this video buying guide for tractors) makes the job even easier. Read this Tip of the Day for more details.

Peter Sawchuk, the program leader in our Tech division who specializes in testing outdoor equipment and who participated in our live chat earlier this month, has found that dropping the mower or tractor deck to its lowest setting allows water to stay within the deck longer and provide more cleaning power, resulting in better removal of grass and debris. Depending on how dirty the deck is, you could end up with a bit of a soggy mess, but it's still a job worth doing.

Clean the deck with your mower/tractor on a flat, clean surface, say on your driveway or a walkway. (Don't do it on your yard—you'll end up creating a bald spot on your lawn.) When you're done, return the deck to the regular cutting height.

Essential information: Check out these other maintenance tips for outdoor gear. If you're in the market for a mower, see our latest review of mowers and tractors and use the ratings of mowers and tractors (available to subscribers).