I now have multiple machines so each individually does not get the amount of wear/use as in years past. From time to time usually just before a quilt retreat I will clean and oil my feather weight. (Many good tutorials on Youtube.) My other machines, get a once a year or once in 18 months check up but when I get the feeling they are sluggish, I do a quick check for lint and "fuzzies". It is easy to clean out the dust bunnies myself and cheaper than a trip to the shop.