Basic Sewing Machine Maintenance: Cleaning and Oiling

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POSTED IN: MEET YOUR MACHINE BY JORDYNN ON MAY 19, 2011 8:12 AM

Regular sewing machine maintenance is something you can (and should!) do yourself. Cleaning and oiling your machine will keep it in working order and ready when you need it. Follow this simple guide to keep your sewing machine in tip top shape!

You should clean your machine regularly after every use if you can. often to clean your machine "ased on how much you use it.

ut let!s "e honest who does that# $ clean mine

after a really "ig pro%ect or whenever $ think it!s getting linty. $ use my machines pretty regularly you can decide how its of thread and lint can "uild up under the throat plate and around the feed dogs (see anatom o! a "#$%n& ma'(%n#) and should "e cleaned out for smooth sewing and to prevent unnecessary wear and tear of the machine. You should oil your machine regularly too. $t!s not difficult and you can do it yourself& so you have no e'cuses!

You will need:

Your sewing machine manual. $f you don!t have it or can!t find it& check online. You should "e a"le to do a google search for your model(make. )ometimes you can even download it from the manufacturer!s we"site for free.

)crewdrivers * small lint "rush )ewing +achine oil (see the note "elow) A couple of tips before we begin: ,nplug your machine! -e don!t want any unnecessary in%uries.

*lways use sewing machine oil and "#$%n& ma'(%n# o%) on) . $t!s a clear& light oil unlike what you might find in your garage. $t!s ine'pensive and can "e found at your local sewing shop.

* can of compressed air is handy to "low out hard to reach lint. Check your local office supply shop for this. .on!t take anything apart that you can!t put "ack together. $f you don!t know what it is& may"e you shouldn!t touch that screw.

/ake out your needle and remove the presser foot "efore you start.

Ok, lets get started!

Cleaning the eed !ogs /he first thing we!ll do is clean under the throat plate. You!ll want your feed dogs to "e clear of lint and any other de"ris that may have found its way in there. ,sually the throat plate is held in place "y a couple of screws. )imply remove them and remove the plate. /hen use your lint "rush to get as much out as you can. /he compressed air works great here if you have it. You can also remove the shuttle assem"ly and clean in there too. Oiling Your Sewing Machine 0et your larger screwdriver and take off the top cover plate. )ome cover plates don!t have screws and %ust lift off. 1pen up the face cover plate too. /ake a moment to wonder at the machinery inside2

3ow you!ll need to refer to your sewing machine manual for a diagram that shows you where to oil your machine. )ome of the older machines are marked in red where oil is needed. 4ut a drop or two on each marked spot. -hen you!ve finished& turn the hand wheel to distri"ute the oil.

.on!t forget the underside of the machine! +ost machines re5uire at least on the shuttle hook (the spinny thing in the "o""in casing. Your manual will tell you where to oil there too. /urn the handwheel again to distri"ute the oil.

/hen it!s time to put everything "ack together! -ipe the e'terior of the machine off with a soft& clean cloth. Replace the presser foot and insert a fresh needle. efore you start a new pro%ect& thread your machine and sew a few rows of stitches to make sure any e'cess oil comes off on your scrap& not your favourite fa"ric.

A word about rust"

)tore your machine in a dry place. Rust is not your friend. $t acts e'actly the opposite of oil and can cause damage to your machine.

$ recently ac5uired a ernina 676 that needed a "it of /8C. $ was cleaning it up and noticed uh oh! Rust. *fter a "it of grum"ling and some internet searching $ decided to "reak out the steel wool and get to work. $ coated all the rusty parts in machine oil and lightly ru""ed with steel wool to remove the rust& which was thankfully only on the surface.

$f you!re not sure what pieces you can take out of the machine or how to put them "ack consult a professional! You don!t want to poke around too much if you don!t know what you!re doing. 9eeping your sewing machine well oiled and clean protects your investment and will keep your machine going strong. /ake care of your sewing machine and it will take care of you!