If you own a sewing machine, you already know how important it is to keep it clean and well-oiled at all times. Keeping your sewing machine clean and well-oiled on a regular basis provides you with numerous benefits, not the least of which is the fact that it will run quieter, last much longer, and run for longer periods of time without any problems.
Oiling a SINGER Sewing Machine:
Clean machine first
Oil housing unit, where bobbin case sits
Oil hook race and the housing
Oil shuttle hook, part that spins inside bobbin case
Just the Basics
Most sewers clean and oil their sewing machine after each use, and if you do it this way it is a lot less time-consuming than you think. Another important tip is to always use oil specifically designed to be used on sewing machines. Never use an all-purpose oil that is made for household or automobile use, because one of the things that might happen is the oil could become gummy and work inefficiently.
Naturally, you should also use an oil made by the manufacturer of your sewing machine, so the first step in making sure you oil a Singer sewing machine properly is to use sewing machine oil made by the SINGER company. Your owner’s manual will be more specific about which type of oil to use, so it’s always recommended that you read the manual thoroughly before you clean or oil your machine.
When Should You Oil Your Sewing Machine?
The timeframe between one oiling and the next will vary depending on your machine and the brand. Many user manuals will recommend that you oil your machine once a month, while others may recommend that you do this with every 10 to 15 uses. A light cleaning and oiling after each use is never a bad idea, but just make sure you never go longer than the recommended timeframe so that your sewing machine runs as smoothly and efficiently as it was meant to.
Before you oil your sewing machine, it has to be perfectly clean. To get started, always turn the sewing machine off before you do any cleaning. Remove as many parts as possible, including the needles, bobbins, presser feet, and more. You can use items such as dry cloths, dust sprays, tweezers, and lint brushes to clean the parts, with the tweezers being used for those hard-to-reach places.
You’ll likely be surprised by how much dirt, dust, and lint is found on the inside of your sewing machine, which is why regular cleanings of the machine are so important. Take your time cleaning the machine so that it is completely lint- and dust-free when you’re done.
Getting Started with the Oiling Process
When you oil a Singer sewing machine, you have to make sure you use the right amount as you work. Once again, the user’s manual can be a big help because it will explain in detail how much oil you need. Before you get started, it is a good idea to place a towel or cloth underneath the sewing machine so that things don’t get too messy. Brush or clean each part, then add a few drops of oil. Any part that can be separated usually needs oil, so you can always start the process by oiling those parts first.
Always start out with small amounts of oil because you can always add more if you need to. Most importantly, take your time and go slow. This is one job you never want to rush. When you use the oil, squeeze the bottle slowly and use only a few drops at a time. If you remove the needle plate, bobbin, bobbin case, the hook and the hook cover, these can be cleaned and oiled first.
Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned and oiled each part of your sewing machine, the job is done. It may take a little time, but it is well worth it in the end because your machine will run cleaner, quieter, and more efficiently for a long time.
A Few Tips to Remember
Here are a few things to remember when you’re cleaning and oiling your Singer sewing machine:
- Make sure you don’t forget to oil the housing unit, which is where the bobbin case sits
- Don’t forget to oil the hook race and the housing
- Make sure you oil the shuttle hook as well, which is the part that spins inside of the bobbin case
In other words, to do a good job at oiling your sewing machine, you have to remember to oil all of the important parts. Otherwise, it won’t do you any good to oil the machine because you need to oil it properly for the process to be effective.
In addition, keep in mind the reasons why oiling your sewing machine is so important. There are a lot of moving parts within your machine, and they all need to continue moving properly so that the sewing machine does its job. This is impossible without regular cleaning and oiling, and this is perhaps the most important reason for sticking to this task on a regular basis.
Regular oiling also reduces friction and wear and tear on the parts, allowing them to last longer and work much better regardless of how long you keep the machine. In short, oiling your machine regularly helps keep it running more efficiently and even more safely year after year.
Many Types of Sewing Machine Oil
You already know that oil made specifically for sewing machines is a must, and sewing machine oil comes in two basic types – synthetic and mineral. Mineral oil is usually very inexpensive and is usually a petroleum-based product. It provides for excellent lubrication of the machine and never leaves a residue behind.
Synthetic sewing machine oil provides most of the same benefits as mineral oil does, but it also is able to oil both steel and plastic parts. It is perfect for preventing your thread from breaking and even does a great job of not damaging any of the parts of your sewing machine on those occasions when you accidentally use a little too much oil. In many ways, synthetic oil is more beneficial when oiling your sewing machine, but it is also more expensive than mineral oil.
Of course, both mineral and synthetic oil are excellent sewing machine oils to use on your machine, and as long as you use them properly, you won’t have to worry about them damaging your machine.
The good news about cleaning and oiling your sewing machine is that the process usually doesn’t differ between one brand of sewing machine and another. As long as you pay attention to the instructions in your user’s manual and make sure you clean and oil your machine properly and regularly, you should have no problems keeping your sewing machine functional and enjoyable for many years to come.
You should also keep in mind that when you oil a Singer sewing machine, each model will be different and may have different recommendations when it comes to how often you should oil it and the type of oil you should use. Remember, Singer makes all different sewing machines for both home and commercial use, and each model will have its own do’s and don’ts when it comes to the maintenance of these machines.
Fortunately, reading your user’s manual will help answer your questions before you get started, allowing you to clean and oil your sewing machine the right way every time.
