I am cleaning a used machine I recently purchased....It is a Singer from the 80's. I've read somewhere that you can use rubbing alcohol....is this correct? I am scared to mess up something as it is, I surely don't want to damage anything!

PS. I did check Billy's notes, and didn't see anything....

Debbie

I was told to use baby oil and cotton balls. Go slow.

Billy has done a couple of tutes on cleaning machines that are very good. Some do use the alcohol, you can use kerosene if there is a lot of dried up old grease. For the outside they use a non-pumace had soap like the gojo men have in their garages. Or you can just use the singer oil to clean it up. Good luck, you will surely enjoy using your machine.

I have read about the rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs. The alcohol will help lint and dirt to adhere to the swabs but will evaporate quickly and not hurt the machine. Do not apply to any rubber parts. It will leave the metal parts clean and lint free. At least this is what I read.

You can use alcohol to clean the mechanics to dissolve old dried on oil.

But be very careful, it will damage the paint on the machine. And probably why it is not recommended by all people. Kerosine will not damage the paint but know that most people have some alcohol in their medicine cabinet.

Easy does it. Just be careful using kerosene!

Lamp oil works too. It's just refined kerosene. Smells better too.