If you care a lot about your sewing machine, keep it clean and well lubricated; it will work better and will also be less noisy. It is important to eliminate the fabric residues and threads that accumulate with each job, then a few drops of oil will complete the maintenance work. Use only oil specifically designed for sewing machines.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparing to Lubricate the Machine
Step 1. Follow the instructions in the manual
Each brand of sewing machine is different, so it is essential to follow the maintenance and cleaning instructions in the manual.
- Some manufacturers recommend cleaning the machine every 10 hours of operation. Clean it anyway whenever you see dust and lint build up. Some older machines highlight the spots to oil in red, others will attach reference figures to guide you.
- If you don't have the instruction booklet, look for it on the manufacturer's website and if you can, save it on your computer; if you can't find it online, contact the manufacturer and ask for a copy. You will probably be prompted for your machine name, model and serial number. You could also ask a local dealer for help.
- Some machines do not require lubrication. There are self-lubricating sewing machines on the market for which only cleaning is necessary, but no mess with the oil.
Step 2. Go slowly
Better not to overdo it with the oil; use a few drops and then check how the machine works. If necessary, add more. Place a sheet of newspaper under the machine as you do this.
- Lubricate one gear at a time. You will have to disassemble the small parts of the machine piece by piece to oil them; study the manual and its illustrations well to know the function and name of each element.
- Disassemble the components following the instructions in the manual to perform a thorough cleaning, brushing and then oiling each part.
- When you finish cleaning one piece, put it back and move on to the next. Replace needles often, possibly with each new job.
Step 3. Prepare the machine for cleaning
Before lubricating it you will need to clean the machine. First of all turn it off and unplug it.
- Remove any extra pieces that would prevent complete cleaning, such as thread, bobbin case, plate and presser foot.
- Remove the plaque. If your machine has a spool hook, you will need to remove it as there will certainly be lint and fabric residue caught in it. To be safe, remove the needle as well.
Part 2 of 3: Clean the Machine
Step 1. Get a stiff brush
With a stiff brush you should remove dust and fluff. You should find the brush and other cleaning materials in the cleaning kit included in the box of the machine.
- Help yourself with tweezers to remove debris stuck in the gears. A thorough cleaning is required before lubricating the machine.
- With a soft cloth try to clean the hook of the spool pin as much as possible; some people use a mascara or pipe brush to complete this task.
Step 2. Use a can of compressed air
You could use spray compressed air to clean some parts of the machine, but in this case there are some precautions to consider.
- The compressed air spray may push the lint deeper into the gears of the machine. To minimize the problem, keep the dispenser at least 10 cm away from the part to be cleaned, maintaining an angled position so that the residues are expelled out of the machine.
- Use air to clean the bobbin pin and seat. This is the part where the bobbin works, and you should see a lot of dust coming out. Use the air to clean the bobbin holder as well.
- Also clean under the needle plate. You will need to use a screwdriver to remove the screws that secure it. Inside the plate you will find a lot of dust: remove it with compressed air. Clean any other parts as recommended in the instruction manual.
Part 3 of 3: Oil the Machine
Step 1. Use sewing machine oil only
You can't use car oil. Only buy oil for the specific use you will make of it. Sewing machine oil is clear and packaged in small bottles.
- You should find a bottle of oil with the machine at the time of purchase.
- You can find this oil in haberdashery or sewing machine shops. I repeat again: use only the oil recommended in the user manual.
- Cooking oil or WD-40 will not work; sewing machine oil has a different consistency, is lighter and lighter.
Step 2. Put a few drops on the parts to be lubricated
A few will be enough; the manual will show you the points to lubricate.
- Generally it is indicated to put a few drops in the seat of the spool holder.
- Many machines require you to oil the shuttle hook (i.e. that pin that turns inside the spool holder). Often it is required to put a few drops in the looper and its housing (that silver ring where the hook of the spool pin fits). By lubricating that part, your machine will work better and will be quieter because the sliding between the two parts will be easier.
- It may be necessary to put a few drops in the outer ring of the bobbin pin hook to make it easier to slide along the hook.
Step 3. Clean off any excess oil
You can leave a piece of fabric under the foot to absorb any excess oil to avoid staining the next job.
- Use a cloth to wipe off any excess oil that might otherwise end up on the fabric and thread. Reassemble the various pieces; avoid oil on plastic parts.
- If you put too much oil, slide a piece of muslin through the machine, then wipe the outside with a damp soapy cloth. Let the oil collect and then repeat the operation. It may be necessary to do this again in the following days, until the excess is eliminated.
- Test the car. Before starting a new job, stitch a few stitches on a scrap piece of fabric to see if any greasy traces remain, then screw the needle plate back into place.
Step 4. Lubricate a Singer sewing machine
Remove the needle plate. Turn the handwheel toward you until the needle is fully raised, then open the hinged faceplate. Unscrew the needle plate using the screwdriver included in the machine kit.
- Clean the conveyor. Remove the bobbin and clean the housing with the brush. Remove the bobbin holder; snap the two hook fixing levers outwards. Remove the hook cover and the hook itself, then clean with a soft cloth.
- Put 1-2 drops of oil on the points indicated in the machine manual. Turn the handwheel until the hook is positioned to the left, then put the hook and its cover back in place. Snap the retention levers, insert the bobbin holder and bobbin, then replace the needle plate.
Advice
- You can get rid of dust and thread residue with a vacuum cleaner, using the smaller accessories.
- Do not blow on the machine to remove the fluff: there is moisture in the breath.
- Illuminate the parts you can't see well with a flashlight.
