Since your sewing machine is your best friend, why not take excellent care of it? There are several things you can do for your favorite companion to keep it healthy and happy. Here are a few easy steps to clean, maintain, and keep your sewing machine in tip-top shape!
After every few uses, it’s a good idea to open up all the parts of the machine that are accessible (meaning you don’t need a screwdriver to open them) and get out all that thread and fuzz that tend to accumulate with use. There are tiny little vacuum attachments available just for this purpose—they fit onto the end of your vacuum hose and can reach inside the little nooks of your sewing machine to suck all the gunk out. Such a great little invention!
For a deeper clean, break out your tools (your machine will often come with a special screwdriver) so you can carefully remove the more permanent panels to vacuum out the interior areas. Refer to your manual for specifics for your individual machine.
Most of the newer machines on the market today are self-oiling, but be sure to read your manual to make sure. Some machines have 3 to 5 points that need to be lubed with a drop of oil every few uses. If your machine came with a little tube of oil, chances are you need to oil that guy to keep him happy.
Once a year, I like to take my machine to a professional to have it cleaned. Cleanings can run anywhere from $80 to $150 depending on the machine. Yes, I know that’s a pretty price to pay, but here’s why it’s important: The lubricants used in the larger joints of the machine dry out over time and lose their viscosity. Left without maintenance for years upon years, this stuff essentially turns to glue! Ick!
You will notice when you have left your machine too long without a professional cleaning. Symptoms include a stiff handwheel, changes in stitch length, skipped stitches, loose tension, and groaning noises. This is especially important if you live in a dry climate, as the lubricant dries out even faster. Be kind and keep your machine hydrated! (Did you know your thread can dry out too? Here are some tips on how to deal with that.)
Do a combination of these things for your buddy, and you will both have a long, happy relationship and MANY years of sewing to enjoy together! Happy sewing (and cleaning)!
Related Links:
Sewing Machine Maintenance Tips
How to Prepare a Sewing Machine
Choosing the Right Sewing Machine Needles
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Sewing Machine
Get in touch! Leave a comment or email editor@nationalsewingcircle.com.
Taking care of your sewing machine is crucial, and your tips here make it feel like a true friend indeed! Regular cleaning is key to keeping it in prime condition, and your advice on clearing out accumulated fuzz and thread after every few uses is spot on. Those vacuum attachments designed for sewing machines are indeed lifesavers!
“Maintaining a clean sewing machine is essential for optimal performance and longevity. These tips provide clear, step-by-step instructions for effective cleaning. Take the time to clean your machine regularly to prevent buildup and ensure smooth stitching.
This post on cleaning your sewing machine is a game-changer! I had no idea that such simple maintenance could make such a big difference in the performance of my machine. I particularly appreciate the step-by-step guide and the use of easily accessible materials. I’ll definitely be incorporating these tips into my regular sewing machine maintenance routine. Thank you for the great advice!
I liked that you suggested referring to the manual of your sewing machine to find out how can you open up all its parts. This is something that I will share with my mother so she can be convinced to shop for the manual specific to her sewing machine.
Hello Ava,
Thank you for your feedback. I have forwarded your comment to the proper department. We value your opinion, and it will help with the development of our online streaming community. We will continue to listen and work hard for your complete satisfaction.
Sincerely,
Sarah
National Sewing Circle Video Membership
It caught my attention when you said that symptoms such as a stiff handwheel, changes in stitch length, skipped stitches, and many more are caused when you have left your machine for too long. This could have been the reason why my late grandfather’s sewing machine feels too heavy to use. We never had the chance to have it serviced in the past, so I will make sure that it will be repaired by a professional. Your tips will surely allow us to care for it for a long time.
Here’s another tip: The quickest way to clean your machine when you are in the middle of sewing is canned air! A quick blast of air clears out everything without having to unscrew everything.
Bought my first machine when I was 12 years old. I am eighty this year so have lots of sewing in my lifetime as we had four daughters. I still do craft shows & make over 1000 pr of recycled woollen mittens each year so I am continually cleaning my machines. (Have three) I taped a plastic drinking straw to the end of one of the vacuum parts & it works great for places you can’t reach. Happy sewing everyone!!
This was very interesting and informative.
maintenance tips
A good reminder. Thanks for the information, very helpful.
Thank you for tips etc they are very helpful to me
Refreshing.
What a good idea on the vacuuming! I have those little attachments & never thought to use them on my machine. I will do that this weekend.
reading all the info/suggestions, is always informative & I seem to pick up some new tricks. I read it all, weigh the possibilities and go forward. Elizabeth’s comment was not a pleasure to read…take care. I have a comment on cleaning the machines: I purchased a set of hose/nozzles which fit my regular vac and cleaning the machine is a snap. Canned air seems like a good idea, but unfortunately it pushes “stuff” into, not out of, the machine mechanisms. I keep a note pad handy to keep track of when I clean/oil the machine as well as what needle/when put in machine. At 76, I need reminders! So enjoy the notes here. Keep it coming…happy stitching ladies(and guys). Stay safe…be well.
I dug out the sewing machine to make masks for my family and friends to help protect themselves during this pandemic. I haven’t sewn since my last grand baby’s quilt. Thank you for this timely reminder!
I dug out the sewing machine to make masks for my family and friends to help protect themselves during this pandemic. I haven’t sewn since my last grand baby’s quilt. Thank you for this timely reminder!
Elizabeth you need to apologize to the community, if not get off this site. I have been sewing for over 55 years and have 4 machines, so these ideas and thoughts are important to any sewer.
I heard you should NOT blow into your machine to get lint and thread out because moisture from your mouth is also blown into it and your machine does not need any moisture. Use a vacuum!
I always check my Feed Dogs as they can get filled with lint!
I think my machine could use a good cleaning.
I’m glad I found out about this great piece of info. Thank u
I would never buy a mini vacuum cleaner to clean out my sewing machine, when a make up brush will do just fine.
As a beginner I’m thankful for this and ALL information that will help in this learning process. I just finished my cutting table and realized I made it too short, but no problem I’ll be raising up today. Thanks to everyone that’s provided insightfull information regarding this journey.
I knew about oiling my older machine. I keep mine covered when not in use. Thank you for sharing these tips. A sewing machine is an expensive tool and must be cared for properly.
Very good tips, I have been sewing for 30 years and find that cleaning my machine consistently keeps it working like new/. I have 2 machines that I utilize as well as an old trends that I learned to sew on and by cleaning them and having maintenance done yearly keeps all of them working like new. Since the trendal is an older machine I clean it every 2 months and had to learn where to put the oil as there is no manual. I only have srvice done on it at irregular intervals as it is rarely utilized it keeps it working in the condition that is better than when I learned on it. For those who like sewing and embroidery the maintenance is what keeps you up and going and saves money in the long run by making less repairs required
Although the presenter suggested using canned air, my dealer (I’ve purchased 2 high-end machines and 1 high-end serger) recommends using the small vacuum with the tiny attachments for tight spaces. That way there’s no danger of any lint, threads, etc., getting into the gears, motor, etc.
Thanks for all the videos!
I really do appreciate all the info shared on this sight. The comments I find quite informative also. Thank you very much. The lady with the negative comment has every right to vent…perhaps she has no quilting/sewing buddies ….so she vented here to all of us…we’re all here for you my dear.
Where are the tips to keep thread from drying out??
Hello Kathy!
That’s a great question and we’d love to help!
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Sincerely,
Jessica
National Sewing Circle Video Membership
If your thread is dryed out put it in your freezer for awhile – that will revive it. I’ve been sewing for over 70 years – learned on my grandmother’s Treadle machine with a shuttle bobbin. I currently own 5 machines plus a quilt machine and a serger. The advise given was right on,. Yes I still use them all. My 2 Featherweight 221’s I use for quilting (Peicing the top) my “baby” was my mother-in-laws 1938 Featherweight My regular machine a 1963 Singer slant-needle They are all still working and in use. Yes they all have medal parts and hopefully my daughter and grandaughter will get years of use after I’m gone. Listen to the advice from these people.
I am rediscovering the delight in sewing after a number of years of not sewing. My new machine has good instructions but watching this was very helpful and I thank you, Aurora (Hope I spelled your lovely name correctly.)
This was very helpful to me and I thank you for it.
I clean my machine every time I use it and oil it about every two months. My machine is about 25 years old & runs great.
I don’t join because I’m retired and too busy taking care of everything to sew. Really wanted to during retirement.
Please could you put subtitles on your videos to help hearing impaired people like me. Many hard of hearing and deaf people are very keen sewers and would subscribe to your circle if they follow your info’.
Thank you for your feedback. We apologize for any inconvenience and have forwarded this suggestion on to the proper department.
I agree so much!!! I cannot hear most of the videos on this or other sites, so PLEASE DO ADD THE SUBTITLES !!!
Hello OrahLee,
Thank you very much for the feedback. This is something we’re working towards getting applied to our videos very soon so please keep an eye out for future updates!
Thank you!
Jessica
National Sewing Circle Video Membership
subtitles on your videos to help hearing impaired people like me.please
Dear Maria,
Thank you for contacting us.
I appreciate your feedback and it has been forwarded to the proper department. Your comments are important to us and help with the development of our online video streaming community. We will continue to listen and work hard for your complete satisfaction.
Sincerely,
Taylar
National Sewing Circle Video Membership
Great article . Threads and fluff catch in the upper parts of a machine you can use a credit card to remove many of these . Simply slide top to bottom gently . A tip given by a sewing machine repair man. He said most faults were caused by poor maintenance . Enjoy
I’ve been sewing for 61 years. The first thing my mother taught me before I put machine to fabric, was how to take the machine apart. Removing the covers, and all removable parts, cleaning and oiling and reassembling her beautiful Singer. I still sew and to this day, I still maintain and use my first sewing machine.
Like the cleaning tips very much, but it stated you would tell us what to do about thread drying out. I found no tips for that.
Hi, Dolores.
Here is a great video for that:
https://www.nationalsewingcircle.com/video/how-to-prevent-sewing-thread-breakage-004578/
Also, in general, store your thread away from direct sunlight and not in a room with too much humidity. This can help prolong the life of your thread.
Very helpful advice. Elizabeth you need to retire with that great attitude, I’m being sarcastic!!!!
I have been sewing for 50 plus years. This article was stupid.
Elizabeth, that was an unexpected & unusually unkind comment from someone who sews. To a novice this could be very helpful. I’ve been sewing for over 60 years, but I was not taught anything about taking care of my machine. It was something I had to learn from more experienced sewers.
First time I’ve clicked on one of these sites and there was Elizabeth’s rude comment. I’ve sewn forever as well, but the newer machines are tricky. I always wonder if we should oil them. And thank you for your suggestions,
I clean my machine every few years depending on how often I use it. I agree that you need to vacuum it. I usually just blow to release any item stick within it. Not too sure if I would have it regularly maintained one a year. For my purposes, I can maintain it unless I have a serious problem. That being said…let’s be nice to each other especially since we have a love for sewing.
Never hurts to be REMINDED of something we may have learned years ago. If you know something you can just move on and be kind.
Been told to NEVER blow or use canned air, it will drive the dust bunnies or lint back in the machine we can’t reach???
Agree
That Elizabeth sounds like a real winner. If she’s been sewing for 50 plus years she has got to be in her 60s or older. The stupidity of some people just amaze me sometimes. I think most of us need reminders of our machines as to how to care for them,and your right the newer machines are tricky. She is probably just a troll, looking to amuse herself, or that bad apple in the box, wanting to spoil all the apples. If we are lucky she will stick her head in the soil, and keep it THERE!
I did not find anything in the article that was untrue or unrelated to the topic, so I think Elizabeth is having a bad day. I believe she is a sweet person who just had more than she can handle right now. I hope things settle down for her so she can enjoy her sewing and her machine.
I clean my machine every time I use it on a project. And plan to take it in this weekend for a cleaning. The cleaning is usually about $100 which is pocket change compared to what I payed for it. However, my first sewing machine only cost $69 in 1971. My parents gave it to me for my 16th birthday!
Maybe Elizabeth has a machine that’s not quite as expensive and could go by a new one with a little extra$ added to the cleaning amount.
I understand it hard to give up $ that if she could do that. Enjoy your sewing experiences everyone!!
Soo Elizabeth – tell us what about the article is stupid. I’ve been sewing since I was 10 years ( learned & helped my godmother w/ her sewing – she was a professional Tailor) & I’ve sewn wedding dresses, prom, christenings for all my nieces, granddaughters & so on – currently sewing for a competition Halau group from Sacramento & there are 5 of us & one of my Ohana ladies does Quilting – have gone to several Quilt shows & actually bought a couple of sewing machines (I have 5 I’m currently using). And to my knowledge this article actually matches up with what I’ve learned from the retailers & the people I actually bring my sewing machines to get them maintenance every year(it’s like getting your car’s oil changed to keep it going for a long time) I have a Husgvarna Viking that I’ve had for 11 years & my baby I still sewing great) so yes that was a very negative & unkind reply to this article. This plus your sewing machines instructions are a great help to keeping your machine to last for a long time 🌺🥰🌺
Would you like to tell us why you labeled this as stupid Elizabeth, I have been sewing for about 50 years also and I found it helpful, especially for the ladies and gents that may be new to seeing and machine maintenance, at one time I didn’t think about cleaning my machines, all I wanted to do was sew
Wow, you must be very intelligent! I have been sewing for over 60 years and I found it very interesting, All the new machines are so different and have so many features etc. Maybe it is just you are still sewing with just a needle and thread! That doesn’t take more than a new needle occasionally, and some thread.
I buy the fuzzy sticks (a/k/a pipe cleaners) to get out fuzz I cannot see. They work well, are bendable and reach into spots I cannot see.
Pipe cleaners is a threat idea!
I have been seeing for more than 65 years and continue to learn new things all the time from you. Great site. Thank you
E ‘davvero blog informativo! Mi è piaciuto molto il modo di claen qui circa la macchina da cucire. Grazie per saharing questo blog informativo con noi.
Thank you for your information it was helpful
Thank you for tips etc they are very to me
Certo! Questo modo di clean la Machina di cucire Perfetta
very usefull