Singer sewing machine oil if formulated for machines and is still made in the USA and is perfectly fine. Nancy you correct don't use old oil or oil that has turned dark since it has started to degrade. A good synthetic sewing machine oil is good also. If you would like to try clock oil go to
www.merrits.com/clock Go to the oil section and look for P617 pocket oiler(1.75 each or 1.50 for a dozen) this is a good oil to try and see if you like it. They have some high quality very expensive oils on the site also that I use on the antique clocks from the 1850's. All these oils are good and without parafin to glog up parts. I use both singer and mostly clock oil because I always have large amounts on hand for my 50 or so antique clock. Just use the best sewing machine oil you can find. Singer is not the only oil out there. Google sewing machine oils to find more.