How To Clean And Oil A Sewing Machine?
A sewing machine is a fairly complicated device and needs to be maintained well to ensure its smooth functioning. If you use a sewing machine on a regular basis, it is important to look after its health to ensure that it doesn’t hamper your work when you least expect it. A sewing machine would provide you with the best results when all its parts are well-oiled and in sync with each other.
Before discussing the process of cleaning and oiling your sewing machine, let us discuss a few important things to keep in mind to ensure the good health of the machine:
• Always make sure that the basket and crochet of your sewing machine are clean at all times.
• Whenever you notice the elements of your sewing machine making squeaky noises, lubricate them without any delays.
• Make sure you buy quality thread for your sewing machine as low-quality threads are likely to damage your machine by forming tearing easily, forming knots, and getting flaky.
• It is advisable to use different bobbins for performing different tasks using your sewing machine.
• It is always important to replace the needles on a regular basis. Although they are almost invisible to the naked eye, they are capable of wearing out and hampering your sewing process completely.
When it comes to cleaning and oiling your sewing machine, a single product is capable of doing all the work – WD-40 Multi Use Product. Staying true to its name, the product helps you clean different parts of your sewing machine and lubricate them to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the device. All you need to get yourself a can of WD-40 for maintaining your sewing machine and it will help you cater to a range of different purposes.
While there is no standard way of cleaning and maintaining your sewing machine, here are the three steps you can follow to clean and lubricate the device using WD-40:
Things you will need
A soft brush
A clean cloth
Step 1
Clean The Crochet Area
When it comes to sewing machine maintenance, the crochet department is the most important. This area of located right under the needle holder shaft and needs to be cleaned effectively to get rid of the dirt and debris accumulated over time.
Depending on the type and the model of your sewing machine, you may need to unscrew the device to clean it. Start by removing the crochet and the bobbin with care and precision. Now, take a soft brush and clean all the visible dirt and debris from the device.
Now, you can go ahead with lubricating the central axis of the bobbin to ensure the smooth functioning of the machine. If you leave the axis unattended, it may get stuck or start making noises due to wear-and-tear over time. For lubricating this area of your sewing machine, all you need to do is get a can of WD-40 and spray a little liquid on the axis. Wait for the liquid to settle in for a couple of minutes before reinserting the crochet and closing the compartment again. Make sure you are gentle and careful while dealing with the crochet area as any damage here would hamper the working of your sewing machine.
Step 2
Clean The Interiors
Once you are done with the crochet department and lubricating the central bobbin axis, you can start cleaning the interiors of your sewing machine. Especially if you work in a public place, the machine is likely to accumulate a lot of dirt and impurities over time, making it important for its insides to be cleaned effectively.
For this, you will need to open the device up and clean its mechanisms properly. If you are not well-versed in handling a sewing machine, you can seek the help of an expert to open the body and reach the internal parts to be cleaned. Once you have the internal parts at your disposal, you can spray WD-40 on them and wait for them to show their magic. The liquid would dissolve all the visible and invisible impurities from the surface of the internal mechanisms, making them spotless within minutes.
Whenever you are cleaning these smaller parts of your sewing machine, make sure you do not go overboard with the spraying and use a soft and clean cloth
for wiping the parts. The last thing you’d want is to damage your sewing machine in an attempt to maintain it.
Moreover, make sure your machine is always stored in a clean and dry place with a moderate temperature. This would prevent any unwanted thermal changes from interfering with the actions of the liquid sprayed for cleaning and lubricating the device. While you spray the interiors of the machine with WD-40, the liquid helps you clean as well as lubricate its moving parts effectively.
However, if you are using your sewing machine for the first time after lubricating its parts or after a long time of keeping it out of use, it is advisable to keep it running without a needle and a thread for some time. This would allow the lubricant to spread across the mechanical devices and get them ready for action.
Step 3
Clean The Foot Pedal
Once you are done cleaning the interior of your sewing machine, you can finally tend to the foot pedal to give the perfect finishing touch to the maintenance process. As the pedal is always on the floor and is operated by the feet of the users, it is common to get contaminated by dirt and grime over time.
Depending on the type of sewing machine you use, you can open the pedal switch or directly spray WD-40 on the moving parts to clean and lubricate them within a few minutes. Keep moving the pedal after lubricating it to ensure that the work is done.
Final Word
These were the major steps to keep in mind while cleaning and lubricating your sewing machine with WD-40. Being an elaborate device, always make sure you take the utmost precaution and care while tending to your sewing machine.
Disclaimer
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
Related Tutorials
February 7, 2022
March 1, 2022
March 4, 2022
Related Products
Need some advice?
Come and discover all our DIY, maintenance, auto, bicycle tutorials!
Language
Contact Us
© 2025 WD-40 Company.
All Rights Reserved