8 Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Sewing Machine Running Smoothly

When you purchase a sewing machine, you make the investment expecting to get many years of service. Just like any other machine, it also requires some attention every now and then to keep it running smoothly.

The frequency of maintenance depends on how often you are using it. Even if you use the machine occasionally, it still needs regular maintenance to keep it in its best possible shape. If your machine is maintained and treated properly, only then it can give you the expected service.

Oil and cleaning your sewing machine regularly may feel like a nuisance, but it will make you happy in the long run when you find the machine looking new and working efficiently, like a new machine.

The following steps help you to keep your sewing machine in tip-top shape.

Keep Your Machine Covered

One of the simplest and quickest ways to keep your machine away from damage is to keep it covered when you are not using it.

As you may know, the biggest enemy of your machine is dust, lint, and other fibers, which can accumulate in the inner parts of your machine and cause harm.

Even if you have pets, their fur can also find its way inside the machine. So, you must keep your machine covered in order to keep it neat and clean. It also helps you avoid costly repairs in the long run.

You can make a creative dust cover on your own or purchase a plastic cover or hard shell from any sewing shop.

Replace Your Needles Frequently

First, make sure you use the proper needle for your fabric and thread. You need to understand things like how sewing needles are made, the recommended needle size for your machine, which needles are best for what fabric, etc.

Another important tip for keeping your machine running smoothly is frequently changing needles. Needles are the most essential part of your machine and do most of the sewing work.

Over time, needles become dull and result in skipped or unattractive stitches. It could eventually cause damage to your machine.

So, replacing the needle after 8 hours of sewing or completing a project is the best approach. It will prevent further damage to your machine.

While you will need other useful things to complete a sewing project, needles are the most important, so pay them more attention.

Clean Your Machine after Each Sewing Session

When you are sewing on natural fibers, terry and fleece lint gather in the bobbin case of your machine. This lint jams your machine, resulting in problems like skipped stitches, broken needles, bunched-up thread, etc.

To keep your sewing machine in its best possible shape, clean it each time you use it or at least at the end of your solid working days.

You can use a clean rug to wipe your machine. You can also get instructions from your manual or a sewing machine mechanic. Once you get used to executing the simple cleaning routine, it will take only a few minutes. You can also use a nylon brush to remove dust, lint, or debris without adding any moisture to your machine.

Use of Compressed Air

To ensure a thorough cleanse, use a new thread to minimize lint build-up on your machine. But the thread cannot execute the entire job itself. You also need to use compressed or canned air to remove all the threads and leftover lint from the bobbin area, feed dogs, and tension discs.

But be cautious at the time of using compressed air. Keep the compressed air at least four inches away; otherwise, it will introduce moisture into your sewing machine.

It can also blow the lint deeper into the internal working areas of your machine, which will cause it to mix up with the oil, leading your machine to slow down and end up damaging different parts.

Oiling of the Machine

Oiling the machine is another simple step to keep your machine functioning properly. It will add years to the lifespan of your machine.

As a part of regular cleaning, apply only a couple of drops to the motorized parts of your machine that require lubrication.

Make sure to purchase a good quality oil specially made for sewing machines. You can purchase the oil from a craft store, sewing shop, or even online. Never apply anything other than sewing machine oil.

Before purchasing the oil, make sure it is light, clear, and fine so it cannot stain the fabric. Avoid applying too much oil at a time because it can damage the internal parts of your machine. It’s also a good approach to follow the instructions in your manual before applying oil to your machine.

 

Always Turn the Handwheel towards You

Sometimes you need to turn the handwheel of your sewing machine in order to adjust the needle and create a stitch.

When you are turning the handwheel, make sure to turn it towards you. If you are turning the handwheel in the wrong direction, it will mess up your machine’s timing.

When the machine's timing is off, you won’t be able to form the stitches properly, ending up unable to stitch anything. If it happens, you must seek a machine repair technician to fix the problem.

Use the Right Bobbins for Your Machine

If you can ensure using the appropriate bobbins for your machine, it will prevent possible damage to your bobbin case. It will also prevent the threads from breaking and your machine from getting jammed.

Ensure that your bobbins wind properly. When you insert the bobbin, make sure no loose threads are hanging. Loose threads can lead to the tearing of fabric and thread, skipped stitches, loud noises, etc.

Also, be sure to use good quality threads as linty or waxy threads can cause several problems to your machine.

Take Your Machine for an Annual Checkup

Even if you follow all the instructions and maintenance steps at your home, you will still need to take your sewing machine to a professional mechanic at least once a year.

The mechanic can check things you might not know about, clean all the areas you cannot reach, inspect the wear and tear of your machine, adjust the tension and timing, etc.

Thus, he will ensure that your machine functions properly for several years and lasts longer.

To Wrap Up

A well-made sewing machine will perfectly sew for several years if you take great care of your machine. A machine that is cleaned properly and given regular maintenance rarely wears out.

A manual or care booklet often comes with a sewing machine where all the basic maintenance procedures are carefully covered. Make sure to follow the instructions in your booklet along with our maintenance tips mentioned above to ensure the longevity of your machine.