It only takes 10 steps to get your lawn edger ready for storage.
Step #1: Start your lawn edger/trimmer and let it run for a 4-5 minutes. Then turn your edger/trimmer off. (The purpose of this step is to get your oil warmed up so it can easily be drained.)
Mclane Mowers
Step #2: Spray your edger/trimmer with a water hose to remove all the dust, dirt, and loose or clumped grass. (Pay particular attention to the inside of the blade guard where wet grass and dirt often become trapped.)
Step #3: Empty out all the gas from your edger/trimmer. Then start your edger/trimmer and let it run until all the remaining gas in the edger/trimmer is used up and the engine stops. (This should remove all the gas from the edger/trimmer's carburetor and prevent gummy deposits from forming.) NOTE: Do not refill the edger/trimmer with gas until you intend to use it again (e.g., in the Spring).
Step #4: Next, drain out the old oil in the edger/trimmer and refill the edger/trimmer with the recommended grade of oil. Be sure and refill the oil to the proper level.
Step #5: Remove the air filter and knock off all the loose dirt from it. If the air filter is really dirty, you may want to hand wash the filter in water and dish water soap (e.g., Ivory), rinse it thoroughly, and then let it dry completely before you put it back in the edger/trimmer.
Step #6: Remove the spark plug, inspect it for damage, and then either clean it or replace it with a new spark plug. Whether you replace it or clean it, make sure the spark plug has the correct gap. You can use a spark plug gap gauge to check the spark plug's gap size. (Your edger/trimmer's owner's or operator's manual will tell you both what the recommended spark plug is and also what the correct spark plug gap size should be.)
Step #7: Check the edger/trimmer blade and see if it is so worn down that you will need to replace it. If it is, replace the cutter blade with a new one.
Step #8: Check, and if needed, tighten all the nuts, bolts, and screws that might have become loosened during the operation of the edger/trimmer. In particular, check the cutterhead pulley guard (the cover over the end of the drive belt), the blade guard (the cover over part of the cutter blade), and the blade mounting nut (the large nut that keeps the cutter blade tight on the cutterhead shaft). Note: If you have just replaced your edger/trimmer blade, you have already tightened the blade mounting nut.
Step #9: Use a grease gun to lubricate (i.e., add grease) the cutterhead body through the one or two grease fittings that are located on it.
Step #10: Wipe down the outside of the edger/trimmer to remove any remaining dirt, oil, grease, or gas that might still be on the edger/trimmer
That's it!!! Your edger/trimmer is now ready for storage.