I use chenille pipe cleaners that are sold for crafts. I also remove the plate after each project take out the bobbin & the shuttle and give it a good brush with the chenille stick. It's amazing how much lint I get out. I was once congratulated by a machine mechanic for having the cleanest machine he had ever seen. Maybe that why I had my first machine (a Lemair) for over 30 years. I believe if I look after them properly and keep them serviced they will last.