With the upcycling/recycling movement gaining popularity, and a trash-into-treasure mentality becoming acceptable, it’s no wonder that people are reacquainting themselves with sewing crafts.
But what people forget – or never even learned, is that sewing machines need routine, simple maintenance for years of service. This DIY Video Tutorial will teach you how to Oil Your Sewing Machine Properly.
Here’s a great DIY Video Tutorial: How to Oil Your Sewing Machine Properly presented by our friends at sikana.tv
Editor’s note: Always refer to your owner’s manual to address your specific machine’s oil needs.
You have your mom’s old machine but you can’t find the manual? It’s not a problem these days. There are numerous groups dedicated to vintage and antique sewing machines on social media sites, and of course, you can typically download a manual for almost any machine – even antique ones that are over 100 years old.
Be aware that certain components on vintage and antique machines should NOT be oiled, such as cloth belts, and on newer machines, you should not put oil on gears – they should receive gear grease unless directed by your owner’s manual. Many vintage and antique sewing machine enthusiast groups recommend 100% synthetic sewing machine oil with Teflon added – a common brand name is Tri-Flow oil. They also make a Gear Grease that has Teflon in it. This prevents “gumminess” or “oil varnish” that happens when oil sits for extended periods of time. Always use sewing machine-specific oils/grease. Other types of “multi-purpose” household oils/lubricants will harden over time and can potentially cause damage!
Without proper maintenance, here is what can happen to your machine over time:
Did you know that you can wipe down the exterior of a vintage or antique sewing machine with the same sewing machine oil that you use to lubricate the inside? It keeps the machine clean and shiny! You can use sewing machine oil to clean old oil that has gotten sticky.
Now that your machine is running tip-top, how about making some Inner Tube Bags?