| It is recommended that you clean your Sewing | | | | which you can label them so you don't end up with |
| machine after using your machine for a while or at | | | | any extra parts! Now, the removed parts should be |
| least once a year. | | | | completely sprayed and then allow to soaked with |
| To keep your work area clean, you should lay | | | | WD-40. Thereafter, make sure the parts are wiped |
| something under the machine to prevent oil and dirt | | | | clean with your lint free fabric. Not only is the WD-40 a |
| from getting everything dirty. I usually just use | | | | cleaner, it actually lubricates and protects the metal |
| newspapers if I got it handy. Here is check list of other | | | | components. |
| tools you need to clean: kerosene, fine steel wool, a | | | | Whatever you do, do not lubricate the motor. |
| small toothbrush (can be a used one), toothpicks, | | | | However, you can wipe down the motor housing. I say |
| Q-tips, a cotton lint free fabric, oil specially made for | | | | not to lubricate the motor for two reasons. One being |
| sewing machines, WD-40 and a screw driver. Please | | | | that electric motors need little lubrication and you can |
| be cautious and do not use alcohol as it will ruin the | | | | damage the motor by lubricating it too much. |
| finish and paint on your machine. Trust me, this is from | | | | Once the motor is wiped down, it's time to check the |
| personal experience. | | | | tension of the belt. Pull the belt a little with your fingers |
| Using the lint free cotton fabric mentioned earlier and | | | | to check to see how much play the belt has. There |
| remove all the excess grease residue off of your | | | | should be one and half inches of play room. If your belt |
| Machine. The grease that has hardened due to not | | | | is worn out, replace the belt with a new one. If you |
| maintaining your Machine for some time, if ever, needs | | | | look straight back from the light switch you can find |
| to be broken down and dissolved. In order to break | | | | the screw that releases the belt. You can replace the |
| down and wipe of the grease, marinate the grease | | | | belt by loosening this screw. You'll be able to remove |
| with a tiny bit of kerosene or WD-40. Please allow | | | | the belt if you loosen that screw. Please do not |
| time for the grease to dissolve. If you haven't cleaned | | | | remove the screw as it will loosen the motor. Slide the |
| in a while and the grease is stuck on their, you should | | | | new belt on, align the motor in its position and tighten |
| let it soak overnight. To do so, tip your Sewing | | | | that screw back up. Check to see if the belt tension is |
| machine so the hardened greasy part sits on the | | | | at its right measurement. The motor will be strained if |
| Kerosene soaked cloth. For your safety complete this | | | | the belt's play is too little. On the other hand if the belt |
| process in a location away from flames and a very | | | | is too loose your machine won't be as powerful as it |
| ventilated area. When the grease is broken down and | | | | should be. For optimal performance, take the time and |
| removed, you can oil the machine with sewing | | | | make sure the belt has the proper tension. It will be |
| machine oil. Make sure you utilize oil that has been | | | | worth the time spent. |
| made for sewing machines. If you're wondering where | | | | If the metal parts of your machine are lightly rusty, it's |
| to oil the machines, in the correct locations, please | | | | really easy to remove. Using the fine steel wool, gently |
| refer to your owner's manual. | | | | rub the rusty parts.. If some of the rust doesn't come |
| Use your soaked end of the Q-tip with the WD-40 or | | | | off by just using the steel wool, you can assist by |
| Kerosene to remove the remainder of the grease. | | | | spraying it with WD-40 or putting a little kerosene on it. |
| Remove the thread on the machine by removing the | | | | The steel wool should not be used to remove anything |
| throat plate also known as the needle plate. The | | | | but the rust. As it will leave scratches and damage the |
| thread might be wound around the shaft. With the | | | | finish. |
| toothbrush mentioned earlier, remove link from under | | | | Upon the completion of your clean-up of your Sewing |
| the thread spindle and inside the cover of your Sewing | | | | machine, be sure to tighten the screws up. Machine |
| machine. | | | | jams, machine damage, grinding and rattling of your |
| It's a great idea to clean the internals of your Sewing | | | | machine can be caused by un-tightened, loosened |
| machine while you're at it. I hope you are familiar with | | | | screws. |
| your machine enough to be able to do so. This | | | | At last using the lint free fabric, rub some baby oil on |
| involves removing and detaching all the mechanical | | | | the exterior of the machine. Wipe any extra baby oil. |
| parts that can be unscrewed and removed. These | | | | This will help preserve the exterior of the machine and |
| parts include the face plate, presser foot, bobbin cover | | | | give it a nice show case shine. |
| and flywheel. However, it's not necessary to remove | | | | Use the money you save by making your own clothes. |
| the motor. As a rule of thumb keep all your parts in a | | | | This can only be achieved if you up keep the |
| area easily found. If you don't know which part is | | | | maintenance on your sewing machine. |