I clean it every time I think of it which is often - thank goodness!

I remember taking a class once where the other gals were shocked when they were told they should clean their machine and change their needle. One gal bragged that she'd been sewing with the same needle for 8 years :)

every time I start a project, or when I am having a problem with the bobbin. I use a can of compressed air WARNING!!!!! make sure you hold the can ONLY in the UPRITE! position(ask me how I know) or you will get a wet spray (not good for a sewing machine) I also use the compressed air on the top section of my machine were the thread is put thru

CHris

I flip my machines on their side and take the bottom off as well. I did that for a lady in our sewing group and the fuzz there was so caked on the gears I'm surprised they still worked. She was happy with the power it had on thick seams after the clean out. DH laughs as I have a travel kit that includes screwdrivers, brush and oil. Gotta keep our babies purring.

piney

I clean mine out every time I start to use it.

Every time I change the bobbin!

I don't have a set schedule for cleaning, but It's often. A bit of lint or worse, a bit of thread, does not make my FW happy, so I keep her clean & oiled.

i should clean mine more often What am i talking about i should use mine more often LOL

Best tool for me for the cleanout is my hand vac with a drinking straw attached to the spout with duct tape. (keep a bit open so there's not too much suction)
The straw gets into the nether regions and cleans her out good!

have an old viking and didn't realize you need to take the bobbin assembly out.unscrew and remove the whole thing. my dealer showed me how to do it when i took it in because it froze. the lint was packed in like a layer of felt. i normally brush out the bobbin case everyday clean the assembly every couple of months now.