There has been many threads on this subject. After seeing the thread some time ago, I talked with my repair man. He said it shouldn't damage the machine either way you do it. I think I will keep saving the extra thread. After sewing for some 55+ years & not having the machine mess up because pulling the thread out backwards, I'm not to worried about any problems. If it is because of lint build up, I will take the time to brush it out. I'm with Scissor Queen, if your machine is that touchy, it isn't worth having.