With this machine it was totally lint. It was one of the newer Singers that do not have the felt piece in the bobbin area. It made me really appreciate my vintage Singers as they are much quieter to sew with. This one and the other one she has me workon are a lot noisier than I would want to have to listen to when I sew. I have a newer Sears/Janome that doesn't require oiling, and never thought to oil the bobbin area, but from now on, I will oil it. Thanks for the note on the newer ones.