Originally Posted by romanojg
I have a 25 yr old singer that has never been in the shop and still sews like she was new. I also have a one 1/2 yr old kenmore/janome and the only cleaning that she has had so far is from me. I use the instructions about cleaning out the bobbin area and that is about it. I have a warranty which includes yearly tune-ups but she has been in full use so I haven't had time to take her in but even the book doesnt have anything about taking her in each yr. I will take her in in a few weeks when I get my other machine back. I don't know what kind you have so yours could be different. Mine doesn't even use oil. That was a surprise to me.
There is a spot under the bobbin case that has a wick that my shop owner told us that we should oil once a month (or when you notice that the wick dries out)...only one drop or so. Janome doesn't put it in the instructions but the shop owner has contacted them and was pretty pushy until they finally said that oiling once a month would be helpful. I believe when you take it in for servicing they oil it...so once a year or less as opposed to once a month??? My $3 thing of oil will last me for ever!