Cleaning Sewing Machine
#102
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: North Manchester, IN
Posts: 199
Mostly I use the computer attachments for my vacuum.
You can get a double sided brush here for $2 plus shipping.
http://www.sailrite.com/Double-Sided-Lint-Brush
You can get a double sided brush here for $2 plus shipping.
http://www.sailrite.com/Double-Sided-Lint-Brush
#103
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Small town in Northeast Oregon close to Washington and Idaho
Posts: 2,795
I bought an attachment to my vacuum just for sewing machines. I, too, have a Bernina and it works great. I once used canned air and then I read a thread here about how bad it was for your machine and I was so worried I took it in to be cleaned and afterwards I asked the man how bad it was and he said it was okay and I was soooo thankful. I will never use canned air again. The attachment for the vacuum cleaner is awesome!!!
#104
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 17
Lint "getter outer"
I read through several of the replies on this thread and I do understand the 'risk' of using canned air. I think it is a matter of preference and common sense. If you don't do a preliminary lint removal before using canned air, then certainly you increase your chances of blowing excess junk into unreachable areas of your machine. However... I have put a lot of mileage on my Bernina 1090 when I bought it new in 1995. I routinely oiled and lint brushed my machine as recommended all those years and NEVER have had a single malfunction on my machine! I lightly sprayed canned air into the bobbin case area and under the presser plate - the areas I couldn't reach with the brush.
Since I'm being honest here, I'll admit I never had my machine serviced or cleaned BECAUSE I'd never had any problems with it, so didn't think I needed to. When the Bernina tech cleaned my machine for the first time, 22 yrs later, he said I had a lot of lint in areas I would never have been able to get to without taking the machine apart. I asked him about using canned air, and if that might have added to the buildup and he said it wouldn't make a significant difference and I didn't need to worry about using it. The biggest concern is not spraying it so long in one area that you 'freeze' the surface you are spraying. This doesn't happen unless you are overdoing the spraying. Thus the common sense factor. If you feel the can getting cold. Stop spraying!
I have more of an issue with the Q-tip and paintbrush users. Q-tip fibers can snag and get hung up in small areas and paintbrush bristles can fall out and do the same. The pipe cleaner method seems a bit less risky in that regard. Getting oil in areas that don't require it can attract thread fiber residue buildup. I'm not keen on that idea for obvious reasons. I recently read an online tip about bending a pipe cleaner in half and poking the two ends into a coffee stirring straw. Use it awhile and then toss. They are cheap to replace. Straws are free at the coffee shop and pipe cleaners can be found easily ~ probably at the Dollar Store.
Like I said - its all about personal preference, but I thought it only fair to speak up for the canned air users. I'm not ashamed and haven't been penalized for doing so by the sewing Gods.
Since I'm being honest here, I'll admit I never had my machine serviced or cleaned BECAUSE I'd never had any problems with it, so didn't think I needed to. When the Bernina tech cleaned my machine for the first time, 22 yrs later, he said I had a lot of lint in areas I would never have been able to get to without taking the machine apart. I asked him about using canned air, and if that might have added to the buildup and he said it wouldn't make a significant difference and I didn't need to worry about using it. The biggest concern is not spraying it so long in one area that you 'freeze' the surface you are spraying. This doesn't happen unless you are overdoing the spraying. Thus the common sense factor. If you feel the can getting cold. Stop spraying!
I have more of an issue with the Q-tip and paintbrush users. Q-tip fibers can snag and get hung up in small areas and paintbrush bristles can fall out and do the same. The pipe cleaner method seems a bit less risky in that regard. Getting oil in areas that don't require it can attract thread fiber residue buildup. I'm not keen on that idea for obvious reasons. I recently read an online tip about bending a pipe cleaner in half and poking the two ends into a coffee stirring straw. Use it awhile and then toss. They are cheap to replace. Straws are free at the coffee shop and pipe cleaners can be found easily ~ probably at the Dollar Store.
Like I said - its all about personal preference, but I thought it only fair to speak up for the canned air users. I'm not ashamed and haven't been penalized for doing so by the sewing Gods.
#106
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Muscatine, Iowa
Posts: 781
I have a small 2 qrt(2 1/2) shop vac, I use. Anyhow, there was a attachment, that came with it. And on that attachment I attached about a 6'' piece of tubeing. Now I can get some of the fuzz bunny's out from underneath of the machine.
#107
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,325
Never thought of using the artist paint brushes, will try next time I clean. I took things apart a few weeks ago, machine was not sewing as it should. It made a difference for sure. Did not even think of the oil. I can remember years ago my husband did me a favor and oiled my old machine, lots and lots of oil all over the place. His intentions were good but what a mess. Now I will give it a go very carefully with brushes. Thanks for all of your advice, enjoy reading ingenious things we can come up with.
#108
I usually use the vacuum attachment; but if I am in a hurry, I use a makeup brush. I have quite a few of them that have never been used for makeup. The large makeup brush is great for general cleaning. The smallest brush is perfect for cleaning out the bobbin holder.
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