If you want to keep your machine in good condition, it is very important that you carry out routine maintenance on it. One of the best ways to get it done is to lubricate the sewing machine with sewing machine oil.
The oil will help you to get rid of friction, prevent the metal parts of the machine from rusting and ensure that your machine works smoothly without any hiatus.
Sewing machine oil is cost-effective as it can be used over and over again before it is finally used up. However, this as well can be a cause of concern for people, especially those who do not know how best it can be stored and would often ask questions like, does sewing machine oil get old? Does sewing machine oil freeze?
You will find answers to these questions and closely related ones in this overview.
Is sewing machine oil silicone based?
No, the original sewing machine oil is mineral oil and not silicone-based. If you are talking about sewing machine oil substitutes though, we have varieties of them. We have synthetic oil and natural oil. The natural oil can be silicone-based.
Is sewing machine oil flammable?
Yes, sewing machine oil is flammable. When applying sewing machines, always take care not to apply excessively on the parts because the colorless liquid can ignite if the part is overheated or when there’s is a spark from the motors.
Avoid exposing the oil to fire, heat, or any source of ignition to prevent an outbreak.
Does sewing machine oil freeze?
Yes, sewing machine oil freezes. Originally, sewing machine oil is lightweight, and because they are white mineral oil, if they are exposed to a temperature level of about -22°c or below, they are likely to freeze. It is very difficult to work with a frozen oil as its efficiency will be reduced.
Do all sewing machines need to be oiled?
Yes, all sewing machines need to be oiled. The importance of oiling a sewing machine can never be overly magnified as long as it has moving parts that rub against one another when in use.
Oiling helps prevent these vital components from getting rust, prolongs the useful life of this asset, and encourages more uniform stitching as the internal parts will rotate more smoothly since friction will be eradicated.
How often should you oil your sewing machine?
The truth is, when it comes to lubricating your sewing machine, there’s no specific time or how often it has to be done. This is because the exercise depends, for the most part, on two criteria; The kind of fabrics you sew with the machine and how often you use it.
If you are the type that works very often with heavy fabrics like denim, canvas, velvet, and twills, you need to oil your machine at least once a week. If you work with lighter fabric, oiling your machine every few months should be enough to keep it in good condition.
For the other criteria, if you are the type that uses your machine every day, you also need to lubricate your machine with the oil at least once a week to keep them in good condition.
If you use your machine maybe once or twice a week, you can have it oiled once a month. And if you are a light user, I.e. you use your machine once in 2 to 3 months, then you can lubricate it once in 3 months.
What happens if you don’t oil your sewing machine?
If you don’t oil your machine as you should, it will start to make noise while you use it, which is a result of the dryness of the internal components.
Another long time effect of not lubricating your machine is that the interior components will wear out faster than expected and will be susceptible to rust.
Can sewing machine oil go bad?
Yes, sewing machine oil can go bad. Typically, a sewing machine oil should last up to 5 years before it can expire or go bad. Although some situations, for instance, if the oil is not properly stored, can increase the chances of your machine oil getting spoiled easily.
Therefore, it will be in your interest to learn the best method of preserving your sewing machine oil.
How is sewing machine oil made?
I cannot give you the step-by-step procedure of how sewing machine oil is made, but I can provide detailed information about all that went into its composition.
- Antioxygen – 0.2 to 2 parts of the composition.
- Antiwear reagent – 0.1 to 2% of the composition.
- Antirust agent – 0 to 0.5 part of the entire composition.
- Base oil – 95.5 to 97.5% of the whole composition.
Can I use any oil for the sewing machine?
No, you cannot oil your sewing machine with just any oil. If you can not find the real sewing machine oil, which is white mineral oil, you can use any synthetic or natural oil as an alternative.
Any other type of oil outside this suggestion may harm your sewing machine.
