Originally Posted by
Freaky_Quilts_Dragon
Really? I've heard the opposite, that water and mild soap are usually the safest. Keep in mind that I didn't soak the finish, just ran a damp cloth or swab over it and quickly dried it with another, dry cloth. And certainly didn't use it on the mechanics!
Of course the scary truth is there's no garanteed safe way to clean an antique sewing machine. What works or doesn't work on one may not on the next.
I've been playing with vintage machines for years and I've never once heard anyone say that water or a water based product is the safest thing to use on a black machine. Quite the opposite. Sewing machine oil is the "safe" thing to use. Now, colored machines are a different story. The only time I've ever heard of cleaning issues with a colored machine is the tan Singers(301, 400 & 500 series).
That being said, if I get a particularly grungy looking machine, whatever color, my go to cleaner is a half dry baby wipe.
Cari