Imagine my dealer’s surprise when I asked if she could order me a new one: turns out it was not a felt-like rug – it was actually an accumulation of thread and fabric lint! It was from then on that I made it a point to clean and maintain my machine regularly to keep it in great running condition (and felt-rug-free!).
TIP: Make sure to clean your machine after every large project or about 8 hours of sewing.
If you have a needle that has sewn through multiple projects, a machine that has not been cleaned or oiled, or perhaps you haven’t had your machine in for a servicing in some time, then it’s time for some routine machine maintenance and cleaning. Read on for the steps on how you can do it yourself.
What You Will NeedBefore we dive in to the “how” part of how to clean and maintain your sewing machine, let’s talk about the “what.” Here’s a list of the supplies I like to have on hand when working on my machine:
- Screwdriver. These usually come with your machine.
- Small brush. I like to use a 1” inexpensive paint brush from my local hardware store to dust out all those tiny areas. Many machines have a brush included.
- Vacuum attachment kit (optional). I purchased my kit at a hardware store – it’s great for getting in tight spaces.
- Tweezers
- White pearl cotton, cotton balls, and cotton tips
- Rubbing alcohol
- Magnifying glass. You may find you don’t need one, but I find it helpful for seeing in tiny crevices!
- Machine oil. This can be purchased at your local fabric shop. Make sure your oil has not discolored!
- Sewing machine manual. If you’ve lost track of your machine’s manual, try checking online. Most manuals can be downloaded now.
- Replacement light bulb. If it is one that you are able to replace yourself – some machines need to be serviced to be replaced.
- New needles.
- Fabric scraps
How to Clean Your Sewing Machine
Once you’ve gathered your supplies, you’re ready to start cleaning. The following steps will require you to disassemble your machine, so if you find you’re a bit nervous that you may forget how it goes back together again, try taking photos as you go. Then simply refer back to the photos if you ever have a question while reassembling.
Step 1: Unplug your machine. A very important step!
Step 2: Remove the presser foot and needle. Refer to your manual for the proper way to do so.
Step 4: Remove the bobbin casing and clean with your brush. If there seems to be a bit more lint or is difficult to reach, grab your vacuum kit that I sent you to the hardware store to buy. Some people like to use canned air here, but my service person instructed me never to use it because the air can blow the lint toward the back of your machine, rather than out of it. All that lint will build up like concrete and eventually lock up the components in your machine.
Step 5: Clean any tough spots with alcohol. This is a great time to use some cotton balls or cotton tips and rubbing alcohol to remove any gooey substances that may have accumulated on your machine, like old machine oil.
Step 6: Clean the tension with alcohol. Dip your pearl cotton in alcohol and run it through the tension of the machine. It should run through easily; we are just trying to pick up any left-behind lint. Another way to do this is to use a small fat quarter of fabric (muslin works best) and gently slide it along your tension guide to remove any lint. 
NOTE: If this part of your machine has a screw that takes a special tool to remove, leave it be. This should only be accessed by a service professional. (Removing it would void your warranty.)
NOTE: You should only use sewing machine oil, which can be purchased at any fabric shop. Always make sure your oil is clear, too! If your oil is yellowed or discolored at all, it will cause your machine more harm because it gets gooey and acts more like an adhesive than a lubricant.
NOTE: Some newer machines do not need oiling. These machines use a synthetic lubricant and are oiled by certified service persons only. Oiling may void your warranty in this case.
Step 9: Replace your light bulb (if applicable). Some machines may need to be serviced to do this. Your manual should let you know either way.
Step 10: Reassemble your machine. Once you are all cleaned up and oiled, it’s time to reassemble your machine. I tend to work backward from the last to the first section that I cleaned. Refer to your manual (or photos if you took some) for help with reassembling.
NOTE: This is also a good time to replace your needle! Once you’ve changed it out, try a couple runs on a scrap of fabric to make sure everything is running smoothly.
Most importantly, take your time and be meticulous. And remember, you will want to clean your machine after every major project, or about 8 hours of solid sewing. Once your machine is cleaned and running smoothly again, using good quality thread, fabric, and needles will also enhance your sewing experience.
Happy quilting (and cleaning)!
Related Links:
Sewing Machine Troubleshooting
Choosing the Right Sewing Machine Needles
Sewing Machine Maintenance Tips – links to National Sewing Circle website
Tips for Cleaning Your Sewing Machine – links to National Sewing Circle website
Get in touch! Leave a comment or email editor@nationalquilterscircle.com.
This post contains the most effective and wanted solutions. I like this as I have learned about sewing machine maintenance.
Can you show how to clean and maintain a phaff 4!
Thank you
Thank you for a very helpful article on cleaning and maintain your sewing machine.
Very nicely written & informative article. Thank you from a prolific needle person with multiple sewing machines.
Thank you so much.Your advice is very helpful.
Want to learn more
I am grateful to you for sharing some steps on how to clean your sewing machine. It sure looks pretty easy maintaining one especially if you’re the type who cares a lot about your possession. I actually have a unit that is currently missing a vital part or component. I’ll make sure to do some research and check to see if there are parts available for purchase online. Thanks.
Hi Kelly,
I have gotten into the habit of cleaning the bobbin area with every bobbin change. A swipe or two around the area with a cotton swab goes a long way to keeping the area clean
Regards,
Barbara Harris
Appreciated the cleaning and maintenance tips. Most I knew from years of sewing but found some tips for my new machine as well. Thanks for sending.
Send me more info on how to use sewing machine
Dear Nikgodi,
Thank you for contacting us. Do you have a specific question that I can forward to our experts? Or you can browse our web site at http://www.nationalquilterscircle.com and do a search by using the search window.
Sincerely,
Joan
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
I have otomatic with ambroidary. In this machine some problems like footsteps ( how movies clothes forward it’s doesn’t work I need clothes moove by self my hands. Also threade come much more in down side from bobbin so I can’t sawing
,
Dear Anjna Soni,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question.
In terms of your fabric not moving under the foot- you may need to raise or lower your feed dogs. If you are wanting to move the fabric by hand without the machine doing it for you, you will need to lower the feed dogs. If you want the fabric to automatically feed through the machine you will need to raise them.
In terms of your thread issue- it sounds like your tension is off. If your thread is appearing on the underside of the fabric more, the bobbin tension is too tight and if the thread is appearing more on the top of the fabric the needle tension is too tight.
Cheers,
Ashley
National Quilters Circle
cleaning the brother cs6000i sewing machine; I was unable to unscrew the plate; they were very tight, but I was able to remove the other and the bobbin came out easily so that I was able to clean under it, as well. I use my machine almost daily, so this tip was very helpful. The next time I take it in for full cleaning, I will ask him to not tighten as much, so that I can remove for cleaning in the interim. My machine turned out to be an excellent choice for $150, and now, that I can clean it periodically myself, that’s a bonus! Thanks for the info.
Good tips did not know this
Kelly Hanson is right about cleaning the bobbin area, because of lints, my singer machine recently got stuck while working on a project. Really helpful article, And to all the readers always oil your machine.
Another good tip is always unplug your sewing machine when you are done with it. I recently had my touch screen freeze, this was due to lightening in the area that must have affected our power source. The machine had to have an update re-installed and it works perfectly now, but it’s something that we need to get into the habit of doing.
Great
Very helpful
Thank you
It caught my attention when you said that your sewing machine must undergo some routine machine maintenance and cleaning if your machine has not been cleaned or oiled for some time. This is something that my husband and I failed to do so the sewing machine that his late mother left for us got corroded and damaged. Now that I am interested in using it, I will be sure to have it repaired by a professional and do your tips moving forward.
I did not know about the oil for a sewing machine ! However, l do clean it regularly. I checked my oil AND it’s not yellow ! Thanks for the tip that l didn’t know ! 👍