I clean my bobbin area of lint and thread every other bobbin. My machine tells me when it wants a cleaning and oil. I just did it this morning. It also tells me when it is time for it's yearly check-up. I got notice of that last week. It will have to wait for it's check-up until I have knee surgery on the 25th of May. I won't be able to sew for a couple weeks anyway cause it is my right knee so I might as well let it be gone for a little while.