How to Clean Your Sewing Machine
Clean all the dust and thread out of your sewing machine with these easy instructions.
Cleaning my sewing machine? What? I had no idea I was supposed to be doing that when I first started sewing. Now I realize how important it is to keep your sewing machine running smoothly by cleaning it on a regular basis. When I say clean your sewing machine, I just mean getting all the dust bunnies out! Leave the oiling to the professionals!
I can usually tell when my sewing machine needs cleaned when it becomes loud. I do a lot of memory t-shirt quilts and usually try to clean my sewing machine every couple of quilts. Be sure to check out some of our sewing tips and ideas for your next sewing project!
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Here are the step by step instructions on how I clean my sewing machine:
How to clean your sewing machine
I have a top loading bobbin sewing machine – the Singer 4411 Heavy Duty sewing machine but you can do the same cleaning if you have a front loading bobbin sewing machine.
Remove the metal plate
Remove your bobbin thread, top thread and needle. Then remove the screws and lift off your metal plate.
Remove your bobbin holder
Now comes the tricky part – removing the bobbin holder. Place one hand on the bobbin holder and with the other hand move the handwheel slowly. Keep trying to carefully pull up on the bobbin holder until it lifts up. Remember that position and try not to move it so it will be easier to put back in!
Clean out all the dust
Wow look at all that dust!
Use a sewing machine cleaning brush and remove all the dust. (Mine has seen some better days) The brush is nice because it will fit in all the tight places. If you don’t have a brush, you can buy one here or you can make one out of pipe cleaners. Tweezers work too but not in all the tight places.
Check out all the dust and thread I pulled out of my sewing machine!
Put everything back together
Carefully place the bobbin holder back in. You might have to very slowly turn the handwheel back and forth until it slides back in. This is the most difficult part, but be patient, it will go back in!
All clean and ready for your next sewing project! You should hear a difference – your sewing machine will be much more quiet. Hope this helped you figure out how to clean your sewing machine. Happy sewing!
