Keeping your sewing machine clean is important. If you let it get too dusty and never clean it, your sewing machine won’t work nearly as well and it can even jam up your machine. It’s recommended that you clean your machine every ten hours of use. I typically clean my machine after each project. I clean more often if it’s a really long project or I’m using a fabric like Minky that leaves a lot of fuzzies. It’s good to oil your machine when you clean it too. There are a few different parts of your machine you need to clean:
Bobbin Case/ Throat Plate
First you will want to take off the throat plate (the part of your sewing machine that goes over the bobbin case and holds the feed dogs). Make sure your sewing machine is turned off for this. You might need to use a screwdriver to get this off. Take a small brush (I use a paintbrush), and dust off all the parts you can see to get the dust and fuzzies out of the machine. Don’t use canned air since that can just push the dust farther into your machine.
Thread Path
Now you can dust off the rest of your machine. Focus on the thread path, and make sure that there is no dust or debris clogging up your machine. You can prevent this part of your machine getting dirty by using a sewing machine cover.
Oil your machine
Now it’s time to oil up your machine. This will help keep your sewing machine working in tip top condition and prevent wear on your machine. There is special sewing machine oil that you need to use. It might have come with your sewing machine, or you can buy it from any craft/sewing store for just a few bucks. Oil any parts that touch, using just a drop, you don’t want to use too much oil. Slowly hand crank the wheel and distribute oil through your machine parts. Using some scrap fabric (muslin works great for this) wipe up any excess oil. You don’t want your sewing machine to get your next project oily. I usually test my machine out with a piece of scrap fabric to make sure I don’t get any oil on my fabric.
Trying to decide if you need a sewing machine? Read this article on the pros and cons of sewing machines
