This question goes through your mind when you look at a store’s product categories or marketing ads. When sewing machines came into the scene, people would buy a vacuum cleaner along with a sewing machine because if you sew at home, you have to take care of the cleaning as well.
People used to gift these things together to women so that they could have a sewing machine and the convenience of cleaning as well. The companies started to market these two tools as “practical” gifts that are necessary to have at home for better comfort. This thing kept creeping in popularity and it became an assumption that a person should buy a vacuum and sewing machine together as it was the trend in those days.
The popularity is however decreased nowadays but there are still some stores and brands that market vacuum and sewing machines together. Although this is a question, there is much more to know and we will cover that all in this article. So, just continue reading till the end.
Why are sewing machines and vacuums always together?
Sewing machines and vacuums are together because this thing was popular for a long time but now there is something more to this factor. Sewing at home results in various wastes such as small pieces of thread, fabric, and much more.
Having a vacuum nearby is a great convenience as you can clean the area as soon as you finish a project or take a slight break from work. The vacuum cleaner that comes with a detachable hose is considered best suitable for sewing machines as it brings the features and benefits of two tools in one product.
Can I vacuum my sewing machine?
Yes and this is probably the biggest reason why sewing machines and vacuums are mostly seen together. Vacuums come with a detachable hose along with a lint brush which makes them a perfect tool to clean a sewing machine. However, below are some tips to use vacuums for your sewing machine efficiently.
- Unplug the sewing machine from electric cords and keep them aside.
- Unscrew the dust cover, if there is one on your sewing machine, and clean it thoroughly using a damp cloth.
- Never forget to put back the dust cover in its place after you are done cleaning.
- Get rid of small thread pieces and lint, usually attached to internal parts such as the bobbin and needle plate area.
- The trick is to keep on rotating the bobbin or hook while cleaning it using the vacuum cleaner.
- For narrow parts of the sewing machine, attach the brush to your vacuum cleaner.
Can I clean my sewing machine by myself?
The old sewing machine can easily be cleaned by yourself because when you open the lid, everything is cleaner and out, all you need is to just vacuum it and dust will come out easily.
However, new sewing machines are more compact which reduces the possibility of cleaning a sewing machine as a DIY project. You may be able to remove most of the dust but not all.
How to remove fluff and dust from the bobbin compartment?
- Start by unplugging the sewing machine from all kinds of electrical cords.
- Unload the threads and take the needle out.
- Remove the cover from the thread plate or wherever it is over the bobbin compartment.
- Take out the bobbin along with stuck threads and fabric pieces using tweezers or any other related tool.
- Use the brush attachment on your vacuum for removing fluff and dust.
How often should I clean a sewing machine?
It mainly depends on how much you use your sewing machine and what are external factors such as its environment. On average, experts recommend removing the lint and thread from your sewing machine after using 2-3 loaded cycles of bobbin threads.
If you are sewing fabrics like fleece, Minky, or flannel, de-linting is necessary after completing each project as they cause too much lint into the sewing machine.
General cleaning should be done after completing each sewing project while proper cleaning is good. However, service and maintenance should be done every year by taking a sewing machine to a professional or expert.
How to know if a sewing machine needs cleaning?
When oil, dust, and lint become too much in the needle, bobbin, and other parts of the sewing machine, it starts to make creepy noises.
This is a clear indication that your sewing machine needs cleaning. Apart from this, the sewing machine needs cleaning if it gets heavy and doesn’t run as smoothly as it should.
What maintenance does a sewing machine require?
There may be a lot of maintenance required by a sewing machine, some of the most important are briefly mentioned below:
- Give oil regularly.
- Remove dust before it starts causing issues.
- Remove threads, lint, and fabric pieces after every sewing project.
- Unload the thread and remove the needle when not working on the sewing machine.
- Look for sewing machine parts to see if there is dust, rust, or something.
- Take your sewing machine for service and annual maintenance.
What parts of the sewing machine should be cleaned frequently?
You can clean the overall sewing machine after 4-6 weeks or may wait a few weeks more as well. However, some parts need to be cleaned frequently or we can say that after completing every sewing project. The parts include:
- Needle
- Presser’s foot
- Bobbin area
- Thread plate
May I use WD40 to clean the sewing machine?
Yes, you can use WD40 to clean your sewing machine or we can say that this 1 product is capable of doing all that your machine needs. Not just cleaning, some people also use this product to lubricate the sewing machine however, this practice is not appreciated by most experts. All you need to do is spray WD40, wait for a few minutes, and wipe it off using a cloth. That’s it, you have a sewing machine free of all dust and debris.
What happens if you don’t clean the sewing machine?
You may think that not cleaning your sewing machine will only make it heavy but this is not the case. Many issues can happen and the most common include:
- Thread breaking very often.
- Needle breaking.
- Bobbin thread sticking and breakage.
- Thread fusion.
- Starts skipping stitches.
- Staggered stitches.
- Stitch density changing.
How much does it cost to clean a sewing machine?
It varies from region to region and also on the skills and experience level of the professional. If you are living in the western country, complete service and annual maintenance of your sewing machines may cost you $50-$80. The cost is about $5-$20 in most eastern countries.
How often should I oil my sewing machine?
The more sewing machines you use, the more it will require oil to lubricate and work smoothly. It is a good practice to oil your sewing machine every 3-4 months while the annual cleaning, service, and maintenance are recommended.
How to take care of a sewing machine?
Some things you can do to take better care and keep your sewing machine in good shape include the following:
- Clean sewing machines every so often.
- Oil them after specific periods.
- Remove threads, lint, fabric, and thread pieces.
- Place the sewing machine in a cover.
- Don’t move a sewing machine kit from one place to another.
- Do general cleaning after each sewing project.
- Get your sewing machine serviced and maintained every year or two.
FAQs
Should I oil the bobbin of a sewing machine?
It is a good practice to oil the shuttle hook which moves inside the bobbin after some time. However, giving oil to the bobbin of a sewing machine is not recommended as the oil can get transferred to the fabric along with thread and this can lead to causing stains on the fabric. The best way to oil is to use as minimum as possible, maybe even less than a drop.
How often should I clean my sewing machine?
The standard duration is to clean the sewing machine every week. This will prevent sewing machines from too much build-up of dust which can then lead to completely making the machine stuck. It is also a better option to do general cleaning after every sewing project.
What is the best time to clean a sewing machine?
Usually, the best time to clean your sewing machine is right a few hours after you have completed a project. Immediate cleaning may not bring good results as dust is rotating while some parts may be hot as well. However, general cleaning like removing the thread and wiping off the dust from the outside of the sewing machine should be done every time you are going to let the sewing machine sit.
