1. Home
  2. Quilting Forum
  3. Your favorite SM cleaning tool?

Your favorite SM cleaning tool?

Both of my Berninas have a bright shiny smile on their faces and do a beautiful stitch. A new needle in each and all the fuzzy things gone. The very best tool I've found is a silly chenille pipe cleaner sort of thing. I have no idea (and don't want to know) what their purpose is - nope, don't tell me. The chenille cleaner is a bit wider than what you'd think of as a pipe cleaner. They, themselves, are a little fuzzy to begin with but you can fluff off their excess fuzz by running them between your fingers rather ruthlessly. I also use Oral-B Ultrafloss (dental floss but seriously fat and fluffy) to softly sneak in and around the needle take-up lever area. Next, I put the merest smidge of Sewer's Aid (a silicone liquid that's really great) on a thread and lead it down through the threading process. Gently. Jerking will get you in Big Trouble. What do you use to keep your SM happily purring along? Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther
Loading thread data ...

This is almost funny..... One of the classes I have scheduled to teach at the quilt shop this quarter is "Sewing Machine 101". Someone mentioned that it would be good to have a basic class on this type of thing so I am going to try it. I use alcohol on a clean, non-linty piece of scrap fabric to clean the tension disks. Be careful of the Sewer's Aid on the tension disks of some electronic machines, it can seriously muck up the sensor there. I used to clean sewing machines as part of my job.... I was Sewing Machine department manager for the House of Fabrics I worked at for about a year and a half. Found some very strange things inside machines.

You should always use sewing machine oil in machines that need oil. And, if the machine sits for a while, it needs to be cleaned and check the oil. Just like with a car, the oil drains to the bottom. In addition sewing machine oil will evaporate, it is so light.

For q-tips, if you can find the ones made for cleaning computers, they are wonderful and lint free. For lint free fabric, make sure it is soft and well worn and clean, then use a lint roller on it to make sure it is as free from lint as possible.

On another note here, If you have a mechanical machine, and it is held with regular screws, don't be afraid to take it apart to clean it. As I said/asked my service tech, I figure if I *can* unfasten it, then I am not doing anything not meant to be done. He agreed. Do check your manual about cleaning and maintanence, it will extend the life of your machine, and make sewing much more enjoyable. Also remember to change your needle often.

Pati, > Both of my Berninas have a bright shiny smile on their faces and do a

Reply to
Pati Cook

I figured out long ago that if they gave me a flat head screw driver with the machine that I should use it on every slotted screw on the machine. Some of the older mechanical machines even have one or two screws that do not require a screw driver to loosen them at all, simply turn it by hand until it comes free. As long as you can do this calmly and methodically you will be able to put all the parts back together just fine. If you are worried about your ability to put the machine back together because there are no instructions in the owner's manual, leave it alone. It is possible to purchase a service manual for some of the older, mechanical machines online if you want to repair some of the easier problems and are able to follow pictures and directions in those manuals. Debra in VA See my quilts at

formatting link

Reply to
Debra

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.