Cleaning a sewing machine
 

When you say "I cleaned my sewing machine" -

What does that mean to you?

When I say "I cleaned my machine" - that mostly means I brushed away all the fuzzies that I could see and vacuumed the loose stuff up. And oiled it where I could.

This is what I used to do until I removed the bottom of my machine one day and was so shocked by the amount of fuzzies in there. I encourage you all to do this every once in awhile. My machine ran so much better after this.

It means I have removed all the lint from every area I can get to. On my vintage it also includes oiling. Huge difference in what I can "get to" to clean between my vintage and my newer machine. Very frustrating that I can not do as complete cleaning as I would like on the newer... its all sealed up . I just know there is more lint but can't access the underside of the machine . I guess with the newer machine the manufactures want the revenue from forcing you to bring the machine in for a real cleaning.

Here's a free class at Craftsy: http://www.craftsy.com/class/Sewing-Machine-911/77

I haven't viewed it yet but plan to. I have taken the "Machine quilting big projects on a small machine" and it is excellent. Plus you can view it as often as you want.

I use a little stubby screw driver and take the plates off and use water color paint brushes to get down really deep inside. You can get a package of these at Wal-Mart or a dollar store. I think I got 10 for about $1. You don't feel bad about throwing them away when they get yucky.

Missouri Star Quilt Company also has a tutorial on cleaning your machine.

now, if i could only get the fuzzies off the furniture and from under the bed LOL

I take the bobbin cover off with a stubbie screwdriver and brush off all the lint ans threads, oil the race. I can take the bottom off my Juki, don't know about the Babylock Jane. I haven't for a while. Once in a while I vacuum out that area. I use a sewing machine brush and a little paint brush. Brush off any other lint I see, oil them up and take off.

I love to mess with my machines. The fluff gets in there so fast. I use a small brush too and I love to take the machine apart as far as I can get it and stuff I know about, which isn't much. I don't have a computer machine.

We're NOT responsible for those too, are we???

I often take the throat plate off and get all those icky fuzzies out of the bobbin area. I have found that those longer eye shadow brushed or water color paint brushes work the best. I also have a little vacuum made for electronics that works pretty for the fuzzies near the top. I hadn't ever thought about taking the bottom off. I must check and see if I can do that with my Janome.....

I'm with you Nancy!

Pipe cleaners work wonders in getting the fuzz and threads out from underthe throat plate. Never have taken the bottom of my machine off. Its computorized so take it in the the shop for a complete check up

This is a very interesting topic. Going to class a few weeks ago I had to do an emergency stop. When I took my machine (bernina qe) out of its bag the handle on one side had gone under the top piece. The class teacher came and started to undo the side and take it off as well as the back . I was informed how dirty the top inside was and I had not been cleaning it. Like all of you I only did bobbin etc areas. Do we have to undo all this as well and clean? Ps machine repaired ie handle pulled correct by the lawn mower man across the road. The best£2.50 I have spent for a long time.

I clean everything. I mean everything -- every three months. The race is cleaned out regularly, but when I do a big cleaning, I unscrew the cover and get out every bit of lint and wayward thread bits. You'd be surprised at what comes out.

I use q-tips instead of brushes. They pick up the lint rather than moving it around. They are disposible and inexpensive.

I have a poop-less, barkless dog under my bed. Please do not make me remove him or her!

At a Macy's or similar department store, ask one of the clerks at a make-up counter for an eyelash brush that is used for sampling the mascara. They are great for cleaning. On a more personal note, my gynecologist uses a long handled (about 6 or 7 inches) brush that looks very similar to a mascara brush. I don't know what she does with the brush and I'm not asking, but she gave me several (new of course!) to use to clean my machine. You can really get into the deep corners with the gyno brush. Sorry Joe, you'll have to ask your wife for help here!

Let me know if the water color paint brush works for this

Boy am I glad to see this post! I have a ?? or two. I have a Bernina Artista 180 and the manual says on page 74 to push down at the upper right hand corner to remove the throat plate. I have tried that and I can't get it to come off. Is there anyone in QB land that can shed some light on this? I would like to be able to get inside in that area to see what junk I can get out. Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

If you have an electronic machine, I found out that lint gets packed in behind the board and needs professional cleaning. This can cause your touch screen to act up.

i have a bernina 730 artista and just press hard till it pops open ,it should open fo you if not call your store where you brought it ,hopes this helps you

My first lesson with any new pupil is how to clean and care for their machine. The hardest thing I have found is on new machines is getting the screws out of the sewing plate as they have been over tightened by machine. I always teach them how to take off the bottom of their machine and de-fuzz as they also need to know how to remove it to check when a needle breaks, that there is no bits in the bobbin holder or gears, don't ask me how I know! They are also taught how to polish their machines with a silicone colourless polish as this helps so much with the smoothness of fabric movement, and of course which oil to use and where to use it. They are all now proficient on looking after their machines and have never had to go to a repair man, so I must be doing something right, heehee.

Oh dear! I fear I have been abusing my poor Elna! I have only cleaned out the bobbin area and underneath the plate around it! I guess I now have a project to complete today. What kind of oil would you recommend for the machines? Is this something I can pick up at Joann's or something like it? The only oil in the house is WD-40 and my husbands gun oil.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS use a Sewing machine oil, the one that I have is Singer but you normally get a tube when you get a machine. I have an Elna 7200 and this topic reminded me that I hadn't cleaned out the bottom of mine for a while so I did it just now and this is what I found, I also have 3 very clogged up dirty brushes full of fuzzies as well!

I put machine oil on a Q-tip and clean around the feed dogs, where the bobbin goes in, and to the left in the inside of the machine. Do NOT run the Q-tip to the right because the mechine's "works" are there. Whenever I use black thread or fabric, I clean the machine well because the black has carbin in it and will eventually harm the machine.

In my house, one dog's long fluffy tail takes care of the furniture, the other dog takes care of the fuzzies under the bed every time there's a thunderstorm.

I have an Elna 7300 and it is computerized. Do you think I can take it apart to clean?

Thanks for the tip! I'll have to go grab some, I didn't feel comfortable using the others available in the house I just thought I'd say they were there if it were usable. :)

The best thing I have found to clean my machines is pipe cleaners. I went to a "dollar store" and bought a bag of long one that are sold for kids crafting. They pick every bit of lint and don't let go. I've been told on a couple of occasions by sewing machine mechanics that I have a very clean machine.

Great tip I use them as well, they are great but also get the fuzzy floss and run that through the thread lines on the machine, sure takes care of fuzzies there as well.

sew freak, try rubbing a small amount of sewing machine oil all, around the plate cover give it a few minutes then try to pop it open,a another tip i use the wipes for cleaning your eye classes to clean the lens inside because sometimes if it has very small speck of lent the machine will still read that your bobbin is dirty on some computer sewing machines, at least my dose

I have a Janome 6600P and my dealer told me to take the bottom off of the machine and clean the lint out of that area. (There are 4 screws that hold the bottom plate on the machine.) I try to do it every few quilts. It is amazing how much fuzz gets in there. The machine runs much better and quieter after a good cleaning.

I have the same machine. the 6600. I didn't know about taking the bottom off. I am going to check it out tomorrow. I was worried, because of it being a computerized machine. Thank you so much for the information.

I take off the throat plate and clean out the bottom, underneath the bobbin as far as I can get.

I also try to oil what I can get to, or where metal rubs or might rub against metal.

That is what cleaning means to me.

Sew freak. I had same problem with my bernina. I kept taking it to classes with me and started to clean as my first job found plenty to take the plate off for me. It is much easier now.

I use Q-tips to clean around the bobbin case, under the throat plate. Oil, and repace the needle. Wipe the exterior.
I do this after every quilt.

I know this is an old post, but no one mentioned: Those fuzzies are a sign of a sewing machine being used often. If anyone has them, it is clearly a sign that your sewing machine needs to be cleaned!

Most of my machines are vintage and I clean the heck out of them. When I oil the machine, I take the thread and bobbin out of the machine. I tilt the machine over and press the power petal. This way you can see the moving parts that need to be oiled.

If your machine is computerized, you will void the warranty if you do not take it to a dealer for service.