regular oiling
Oiling your Janome sewing machine is essential to its long-term health. A regular oiling schedule will keep your machine running smoothly, reduce the need for maintenance and repairs, and ensure its machine lifetime. Sewing machine oil is available from most Janome dealers at a reasonable price. Most Janome and other sewing machines benefit from a regular oiling schedule of every six months, to keep all parts moving freely and reduce friction.
types of oil
Choose an oil specially formulated for sewing machines, such as oil from Janome, which has been manufactured to meet their specific requirements. A good quality sewing machine oil is thin enough to penetrate every nook and cranny of the machine and thin enough to reach all of the moving parts. Always avoid using oil designed for other types of machinery, such as three-in-one oil, it could damage your machine.
preparedness
Before oiling, it’s essential to make sure your machine is adequately prepped. Begin by making sure there are no old pieces of fabric left in the machine and unplug the machine.Using a soft white cloth, carefully wipe away any dust or dirt around the bobbin case area, around the needle plate, and around the bobbin race. If there’s any excess lint on the machine, use tweezers to help remove it.
oiling process
Remove the needle plate and the bobbin case. Apply one to three drops of oil onto the top and bottom of the vertical side of the bobbin case. Insert the tip of the oil dropper into the oil hole, located at the back of the bobbin case and apply three to five drops of oil into the hole. Love the bobbin race to oil it. Next, moisten the pile of the cloth again and reapply the lubricant to the parts to wipe away any excess oil. Rejoin the parts.
needle bar
Lubricate the needle bar every thirty hours of sewing time. The needle bar needs special attention as its movement is crucial to the functioning of the machine. To oil the needle bar, add three to four drops of oil onto the white cloth. Apply the oil to the top surface of the needle bar by dabbing it directly down the length of the bar. Lastly, lightly dust the bar with the cloth to wipe away any excess oil.
feed dog
The feed dog is designed to push fabrics through the machine during stitching. Over time, dirt and dust tend to accumulate on the feed dog, making it difficult for the fabric to move freely. To keep it clean and lubricated, apply one drop of oil directly to the feed dog. Lightly wiggle the dog with a cotton swab while it’s still in the lowered position to evenly distribute the oil.
outer body
Clean and oil your machine exterior to keep dust out of moving mechanisms. Gently rub the outside of your machine with a damp cloth and a mild detergent to remove any dirt. Then lightly apply a lubricant like Janome sewing machine oil or Super lube, which is a combination of oil and silicone, to the outside of the machine with a soft white cloth. This will help diffuse the heat from the machine, absorb the vibration and keep dust out.
other parts
Finally, oil the presser feet, the tension discs, the bobbin winder, and the idle pulleys. Add a few drops of oil to a white cloth and lightly wipe the parts, being careful not to apply too much oil to the machine. Wipe away any excess oil with a clean cloth.
recheck
Finally, recheck all of the areas on your machine that you’ve oiled one last time. Then plug it in and test out your machine with a short stitch to make sure everything is working correctly.
Conclusion
Once you’ve oiled your sewing machine, you’ll notice a big improvement in its performance. Oiling your machine every 6 months will keep it running in an optimum condition for years to come.
