With ongoing use, your sewing machine will need regular maintenance and cleaning to keep it running smoothly. Some issues will be simple enough for you to perform fixes yourself to keep your unit operating correctly. Other problems may need the assistance of a professional who can perform the sewing machine repair.
Cleaning Maintenance
While you sew, lint from your fabric will accumulate inside your unit. With continued sewing, this lint will slowly move down through the appliance so that it gathers internally inside the machine, where it can cause problems. By removing the lint as it accumulates and before it shifts down inside the machine, you can avoid many issues.
Many manufacturers recommend that consumers clean their units after every 10 hours of sewing. You will know it’s time to clean your device by looking inside the bobbin compartment to see how much lint has accumulated. If you see significant amounts of fuzzy lint sitting around the bobbin, it’s time to restore your appliance. Another rule of thumb to adopt could be clearing out the lint every third time you wind your bobbin.
Sometimes you will know it’s time to restore your unit because it suddenly begins to run more loudly, which can indicate a potential issue. Any time your appliance begins to act in an unusual way or to sound louder than normal, clean it to try resolving the issue.
The Cleaning Process
You will need a lint brush, a soft cloth, canned air, and your instruction manual to restore your unit. Unplug your appliance, take out the needle, and remove the needle plate, the presser foot, the bobbin, and the bobbin case to begin cleaning. Use the lint brush to clear out all lint from each piece you removed. Clear out the area where the bobbin sits and remove lint from the feed dog area. Use the canned air to clear out this entire area after brushing with the lint brush. Remove the side cover of the sewing machine to clear the area where the thread travels through to the needle. Replace all the parts you removed, insert a new needle, and plug your appliance in once again. Run it briefly to ensure that it sounds normal. If you still notice unusual sounds, call a professional for assistance.
Lubrication for Maintenance
Part of sewing machine repair also includes lubrication of the moving parts. Your owner’s manual will explain the specific requirements of your appliance regarding lubrication. Consult your owner’s manual to learn whether you need to lubricate your unit, what type of oil to use, the frequency of lubrication, and the specific areas that require lubrication. Some newer appliances do not even need lubrication.
Other Preventative Maintenance
Avoid some types of sewing machine repair by taking preventative maintenance steps. Always cover your unit when you are not using it to prevent lint, dust, and pet hair from accumulating inside of it. Change your needles frequently, because dull needles could damage your machine. Schedule regular tune-ups with a professional to keep your unit running smoothly.
