- What is a Mulching Mower?<\/a><\/li>
- How a Mulching Mower Works<\/a><\/li>
- The Science Behind Mulching Mowers<\/a><\/li>
- Mulching Mower vs. Regular Mower<\/a><\/li>
- Tips for Using a Mulching Mower<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ About Mulching Mowers<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
What is a Mulching Mower?<\/h2>
Mulching mowers are a type of mower that cuts the grass and shreds the clippings into very small fragments that are then released onto the grass and soil. These finely cut grass clippings then decompose quickly and return organic matter into your soil, acting as a mulch and fertilizer for your lawn. <\/p>
Mulching lawn mowers are a great investment for those who are into grasscycling<\/a>, whether for environmental reasons, to save money, or simply to reduce time and effort.<\/p>
If you\u2019d love the benefits of having grass clippings returned to your lawn but don\u2019t have the time to mow, hire a local lawn care pro<\/a> to mulch-mow your lawn this growing season.<\/p>
See Related:<\/strong><\/p>
- Reasons to Use Grass Clippings as Mulch<\/a><\/li>
- Mulching vs. Bagging Grass Clippings<\/a><\/li>
- Mulching vs. Side Discharge: The Best Way to Deal with Grass Clippings<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
How a Mulching Mower Works<\/h2>
![\"Infographic](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/How-Does-a-Mulching-Mower-Work.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Aris Berroya<\/figcaption><\/figure> Mulching mowers use a specially designed deck and blade(s) to mulch the grass in three steps:<\/p>
1.<\/strong> Cut the grass:<\/strong> First, the mower cuts the grass blades at the height you\u2019ve chosen.<\/p>
2.<\/strong> Recirculate the grass:<\/strong> Then, because of the angled edges of the blade(s) and the specially designed deck, the grass clippings swirl multiple times within the deck and are cut repeatedly into tiny pieces.<\/p>
3.<\/strong> Deposit mulched clippings: <\/strong>Then, as you push (or ride) the mower, it deposits the mulched clippings over the lawn, forming an evenly distributed mulch layer.<\/p>
Pro Tip:<\/strong> If you\u2019re considering purchasing a mulching mower, check out our list of the Best Mulching Lawn Mowers<\/a>.<\/p>
The Science Behind Mulching Mowers<\/h2>
How (and why) is a mulching mower able to shred the grass clippings the way it does? In short, due to its blade and deck. These are the mechanics behind mulching mowers:<\/p>
1. Blade design: <\/strong>Mulching blades are specially designed to <\/strong>shred your grass clippings multiple times. They are different from regular blades \u2014 mulching blades usually have three cutting edges, more than a regular mower blade. But these blades also help direct airflow, pushing the cut grass up into the deck instead of back to the grass catcher bag.<\/p>
2. Cutting chamber aerodynamics:<\/strong> A closed and specially engineered deck design, along with the shape of the blade, creates a circular airflow that causes the grass clippings to swirl up and down within the deck.<\/p>
3. Making multiple cuts:<\/strong> With this swirling motion and the three cutting edges, the grass clippings are cut multiple times before being released into the lawn.<\/p>
Mulching Mower vs. Regular Mower<\/h2>
![\"person](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/mower-1.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: ddukang<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock Free \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> But how is a mulching mower different from a regular mower? Well, the purpose of a mulching mower is to mow your lawn while shredding the grass clippings, while the purpose of a regular mower is simply to cut the grass at the desired height.<\/p>
The table below shows in detail the differences between mulching mowers and regular mowers:<\/p>
Mulching mower<\/strong><\/td> Regular mower<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Turns grass clippings into small, finely chopped pieces <\/td> Leaves grass clippings at the size they were originally cut <\/td><\/tr> Has a closed deck that distributes grass clippings evenly as you mow<\/td> Releases grass through a discharge chute into the lawn or into a grass catcher bag<\/td><\/tr> No need to spread the clippings after mowing <\/td> You must bag the clippings or rake them to evenly distribute them over the lawn<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure> Why is a mulching mower the best option for grasscycling?<\/strong> While you can spread the grass clippings produced by a regular mower over your lawn, because they are longer, they can entangle and form irregular patches that \u201csuffocate\u201d your lawn.<\/p>
These patches of entangled grass will prevent your turf from getting sun and water, causing your grass to grow in clumps<\/a>. In the worst-case scenario, they can also lead to common lawn diseases<\/a>.<\/p>
Pro Tip: <\/strong>Mulch mowing also works for the fall leaves in your yard. Just ride your mulch lawn mower over them, and ta-da! Now, instead of spending time and energy raking and collecting those leaves, they are ready to nourish your lawn and soil over the upcoming winter.<\/p>
Here\u2019s a short video comparison of how regular mowers and mulching mowers differ:<\/p>
- Mulching vs. Bagging Grass Clippings<\/a><\/li>
- How a Mulching Mower Works<\/a><\/li>