It is essential to clean and oil a sewing machine regularly in order to maintain its performance and extend its life. Sewing machines typically require lubricates every 3-6 months, depending on the frequency of use. Proper maintenance of a sewing machine will help to avoid unnecessarily costly repairs as well as guarantee a smoother, smarter and more precise sewing experience. This article explains how to clean and oil a sewing machine safely and efficiently.
What You’ll Need
A few tools are necessary for cleaning and oiling a sewing machine:
- Damp rag
- Regular sewing machine oil
- Cotton swabs
- A screwdriver (For cleaning the bobbin case)
- Lint-free cloth
Safety Tips
Before beginning the cleaning and oiling process, it is important to ensure that the machine is unplugged at all times in order to protect your safety. If any parts of the machine become damaged during the cleaning or oiling process, it is recommended to seek professional help in repairing the machine.
Cleaning the Machine
To clean the machine, begin by taking off the face plate and cleaning its surface with the damp cloth. If there is any build up inside, use a cotton swab to dislodge any residue. Gently work the swab through the upper parts of the machine and lightly across the internal metal parts before moving on to the bobbin case.
Once the faceplate has been removed, take out the bobbin case and thread holder. Detach the bobbin case with the screwdriver and use the same cotton swab to dislodge any dirt or dust which may have accumulated. Use the cloth to wipe away larger particles. Make sure the bobbin case is clean before replacing it.
Something else to pay attention to is the feed dogs. Use the cloth to clean any dust and dirt. Once the inside is clear, reattach the bobbin case and thread holder, placing them firmly in place. Lastly, reattach the face plate.
Oiling the Machine
To oil the machine, begin by ensuring that the surface and internal metal parts of the machine and bobbin case are dust-free. Take the regular sewing machine oil and apply a few drops to the metal parts. To be safe, some professional sewing machine repair and clean-up experts recommend avoiding oiling the plastic parts. Work the oil through with a lint-free cloth, paying special attention to the parts where the needle is inserted and the feed dogs.
Some people may also recommend oiling the bobbin area as well. As a general rule, if you observe grinding or friction while turning the handwheel, oil the area, however, this always needs to be done extremely sparingly. Too much oil can be worse than not enough, it can lead to oiling the bobbin area, which is a surefire way of gumming the machine up.
Clean Up
Once you are confident that the machine is sufficiently oiled, take the cloth and wipe away any excess oil. Additionally, use the damp cloth to clean up the surface of the faceplate.
Periodic Tests
To check that the machine is properly oiled, it’s beneficial to perform a periodic test after oiling. Take a spare needle and wind a bobbin and pass it through the threading area. Turn the handwheel and watch carefully to make sure that the needle moves smoothly and that the bobbin winds correctly. If there are any strange noises or the needle does not move smoothly, it’s a good idea to take the machine in for professional cleaning and oiling for an expert opinion.
Regular Maintenance
It’s essential to clean and oil a sewing machine regularly in order to guarantee optimal performance. Additionally, routine maintenance will help to prevent problems from occurring. Professional and experienced sewing machine engineers might recommend that a sewing machine be taken in for a service every 2-3 years.
Seam and Thread Tests
To get a sense of your machine’s performance, it’s helpful to run a couple of seam and thread tests. Using a suitable tension, sew on a sample piece of the fabric that one typically uses with the fabric in question. Observe the stitch quality and make sure the fabric is being picked up properly by the needle. If it’s not, it’s possible that the needle requires changing or the tension needs adjusting.
With the thread test, use the same threads as usual and noted the optimal settings for the stitch length. Doing this provides a general guide as to the correct settings for everyday use.
Conclusion
Cleaning and oiling a sewing machine is an essential part of a machine’s upkeep and maintenance. Doing so will help to keep a sewing machine in optimal condition for a longer period of time. This can also help to save money, as costly repairs can be avoided by regular maintenance. However, if any part of the machine is damaged, it is best to seek help from a professional.
