Did you know that you can clean and oil your sewing machine at home? Unfortunately, learning how to clean sewing machine can be easily overlooked especially because the crucial parts that need care requires disassembling.
You should make cleaning and oiling your sewing machine a routine. If you long for a smooth and quiet sewing experience, then maintaining your machine should be a priority. You don’t have to wait until you take your machine to an expert for servicing.
Learn how to clean sewing machine by yourself.
Factors On Which Sewing Machine Cleaning Depends
How frequent you need to clean your machine depends on some factors. There is no specific duration on when to clean your machine.
- You can decide to clean it after every project
- It also depends on how often you use your machine.
- Also, you can decide to clean your machine after two to three bobbin changes
- If you use shedding fabrics like velvet, or some fluffy fabrics, then you are likely to notice that lint easily form inside the gut of your machine
With that in mind, Learn how to clean and oil a sewing machine with these easy steps.
Sewing machine cleaning can be a little intimidating because it involves several procedures to follow. However, once you understand the concept, it becomes easier.
Steps on How to Clean Sewing Machine
Before you start cleaning,
- Don’t forget to switch off the socket and unplug the machine.
- It’s also important to read through your user’s manual to guide you through. If you don’t have one, you can always get sewing machine manuals online or contact your manufacturer.
- You will also need to remove the throat plate as this is where a lot of dust and fibers gather. Use a screwdriver to remove it. Some machines come with one, check if it has and unscrew. Some other machines’ throat plate just slides off.
- Use the handwheel to raise the needle and remove it.
Now, here’s how to clean dust from sewing machine:
- First, remove the presser foot then the bobbin, needle plate, and the bobbin case.
- Once you have done that, you are ready to start cleaning your machine.
- For cleaning you will need;
- A brush. You can use a lint brush if available (some machines come with a lint brush). You can always improvise by using a makeup brush or a painting brush if you don’t have.
- A small vacuum attachment.
- You can also use canned air which is great for blowing the lint out. However, if you choose to use this method to clean, you need to be careful in the direction you blow the dirt. If not handled well, you can end up blowing the debris farther into hard-to-reach areas.
- Using either of these items: a brush, vacuum attachment, or canned air, brush off the lint in all the parts as instructed in your manual.
- Start cleaning well in between the feed dogs, then brush off the lint from the hook race innermost parts towards the presser foot. The hook race area, also known as shuttle hook, is where the bobbin case sits. If you remove this part, be careful to note how it sits so that you have an easy time returning it. You can even take a picture to guide you through.
- Once you have brushed off this area, collect the lint with a clean microfiber piece of cloth, or preferred muslin cloth.
It’s now time to reassemble the parts. But if the machine needs oiling then you can oil at this point before reassembling them.
Why do you Need to Oil your Machine?
- Sewing machines have different moving parts that rub each other as you sew. Oiling these parts is important to ensure they move smoothly.
- Oiling reduces the wear and tear of moving parts.
- It also prevents rust
- Reduces friction, hence your machine will run without noises.
When you hear some squeaking, then it’s time to oil your machine.
Here’s How to Oil a Sewing Machine
But first, it’s important to note that you can only use sewing machine oil. Some machines come with a small bottle of oil. If you don’t have it, look for sewing machine oil in sewing or fabric shops.
Note that not all machines can be oiled. Some brands are self-lubricating. Check your user’s manual to see if they instruct you to oil, or contact the manufacturer before oiling to be sure.
Once the machine is clean, it’s time to oil. Where to oil sewing machine varies depending on the machine model. However, the variation can be very small.
The parts that need to be oiled include;
Shuttle hook- this is the housing unit where the bobbin sits.
To identify the parts easily, turn your machine’s hand wheel back and forth to see the moving parts, especially those that rub each other.
Refer to your manual to identify the recommended parts for oiling.
Then apply very tiny drops of oil on these parts. Be careful not to put excess oil to avoid messing your projects with oil stains.
For precaution, you can wipe away any oil surrounding the oiled areas. Then, turn the hand wheel to spread the oil.
Reassemble the parts and make sure you place each part correctly.
Wipe the exterior of the machine with a clean cloth and plug it back on.
Use a piece of scrap fabric and test if the machine has any excess oil spilled, and if it’s running smoothly.
Some Other Sewing Machine Maintenance Tips on How to Clean Sewing Machine
- Spend some minutes every time after you use your machine to clean it and eliminate possible problems.
- Avoid leaving your machine in dusty areas.
- When your machine is not in use, cover it with a sewing machine cover, or lock it in a cabinet. If you don’t have a cover, you can make one yourself. There are lots of patterns online on how to sew protective sewing covers.
- Replace the needle regularly. A bent or blunt needle not only will it mess your fabric and thread but also cause problems to your machine.
- Use quality thread. Cheap and poor-quality threads will fluff off and cause very tiny lint.
- Always dust your machine after every use. Clean the top and beneath the machine.
- Always match the needle with the type of fabric you are working on.
- Cleaning and oiling sewing machine should be done regularly. Brushing lint and dust can be done after every project.
- Oil your machine when it’s time to deep clean your interior parts of the machine.
- Caring for your machine like cleaning, dusting, and oiling plays a big part in machine service. But, do not substitute these maintenances routines for servicing your machine.
- Servicing a sewing machine goes beyond oiling, and dusting. It involves other extra steps that are done to prevent major problems. Regular service to your sewing machine will save you from getting bigger problems.
Learn How to Service a Sewing Machine at Home by Checking on the following Components
Checking the tension. Poor tension causes breaking of thread. You can adjust the tension in the tension spring.
Adjusting the timing. The timing is determined when the upper thread interlocks with the bobbin thread to create stitches. When the timing is not set up right, there will be looped stitches
Checking electric connectivity.Essential parts that require smooth operation include foot pedal, motor belt tension.
Checking the bobbin and the bobbin case. The thread in the bobbin case should unwind smoothly without any rough edge holding it. You should be able to feel with your finger running through the edge whether there is any bump. Gently try and fix it.
Have your machine serviced after 12- 18 months. Some parts are hard to service on your own. Having an experienced technician to examine your sewing machine will help prolong its life. Also, get a professional who specializes in your model.
Some factors however determine how often you need to service your machine….
- For instance, if you use your machine for heavy fabric projects, it will have problems with tension.
- If you use the machine once in months, the oil will have congealed. Therefore, the next use will require you to service the machine first.
- It can also be serviced when you start to hear squeaking, clinging or the machine becomes stiff.
Finally,
Overcome the fear of looking at your sewing machine as an intricate mechanism and familiarize yourself with each part. This way you won’t find it difficult to solve some minor problems like oiling, cleaning and dusting your machine.
When you learn how to clean sewing machine and apply these sewing machine maintenance tips, you will keep your machine running without problems.
Learning how to clean sewing machine is vital to maintaining it in good working condition, and also make it last longer. Maintaining your sewing machine will make it run smoothly, have quality stitches and prevent minor problems from becoming major ones.
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