How to Clean a Sewing Machine (Singer 401A) - Aunt Pam's Closet

Keeping your sewing machine cleaned and oiled is critical to performance. You can hear the machine running better after a clean and oil! You should take your sewing machine in annually for a deep clean, and today we'll show you how to clean it at home in between visits.

Is your machine mechanical or computerized? Different machines will be cleaned using different methods. Today, Aunt Pam will be showing you how she cleans her favorite sewing machine, the Singer 401A, which is all mechanical and gear driven. It's composed of all metal parts that allows for nice and easy cleanup. This is a great machine for your simple sewing needs!

Products used: Goo Gone, compressed canned air, cotton swabs, Tooltron Synthetic Multi Purpose Oil, Singer Lubricant, Aunt Pam's Cleaning Kit (includes cleaning brush and cleaning cloth) *You can find some of these products in-store at Aunt Pam's Closet

*If you sew heavily (every day) we recommend that you clean and oil your machine at LEAST once a week!

PROCESS
First, take out the thread if you have it threaded get it out of the way & take out the bobbin.
(We do not recommend using compressed canned air on any computerized, electronic sewing machine-, as you could short it out if not done properly!)
-Take off the throat plate/needle plate
-Use compressed air to blow out dust
Use cotton swab to clean the lip on the part that holds your shuttle it is important to be THOROUGH when cleaning because it will affect the way your feed docks work, the way your stitches connect, it affects tension, etc!
*Oil or grease parts that are metal
-Once cleaned under the rim, you can drop a couple drops of oil in the little hole shown
-Clean your bobbin case/shuttle with cotton swab and sit it back in place

You will open casing on the side and remove top portion to clean these parts next:
-Oil holes and wherever metal touches metal
-Use lubricant between gears and turn the gear manually to spread evenly

Cleaning underneath:
-Remove the bottom plate plate and blow with compressed canned air to get rid of dust and debris
-Apply lubricant on gears, spreading with a cotton swab
-Use more canned air if necessary as you go and apply oil to anywhere there is metal on metal

*RULE OF THUMB: Change a needle every 8-10 hours of sewing and blow out fuzz after 8-10 hours of sewing- when you're at retreats it's important to upkeep to keep it running smoothly and help the longevity of your sewing machine

That's it! It might seem like a lot, but with practice and implementing this habit, your sewing machine will thank you!

Happy Quilting!

_____________________________________________________________________

Website: auntpamscloset.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auntpamscloset
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_auntpamscloset

Aunt Pam's Closet is located at 315 N. Bridge, Henrietta, TX 76365