Sewing machine parts may get jammed with time; therefore, you need to oil all the moving parts to keep them lubricating and to reduce abrasion. But you may be confused about what kind of Oil is used for sewing machines.
Don’t worry; here, I will explain this concern in simple words so that you can apply the right Oil for better results.
Consequently, to give you a one-line answer, the Oil used for the sewing machine is clear and odorless white mineral oil. That comes with lighter viscosity status and does not stick around machine parts.
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WHAT KIND OF OIL IS USED FOR SEWING MACHINES
MINERAL OIL. Yes, you heard it right!
Sewing machine oil is primarily made of natural minerals used to lubricate the moving parts of a sewing machine to reduce friction and wear and tear.
More Interesting Facts about Mineral Oil
- Mineral Oils are odorless, white, and less concentrated.
- These oils are natural and are not hazardous for sewing machines.
- They are refined from petroleum and crude Oil and are top-of-the-line.
- Always use the right type of Oil
- These oils help sewing machines to reduce friction between moving parts to make them run smoothly.
- These sewing machine oils are cheap and available everywhere.
- They don’t tend to evaporate.
- Machines parts made of plastic or nylon do not require lubrication.
- Some self-lubricating machines don’t need additional oiling.
- You can apply Oil from Brother company to your Singer sewing machine and vice versa.
- Mineral sewing machine oil reduces damage from rust.
- Don’t apply too much or too little sewing machine oil to sewing machines.
Other Type Of Sewing Machine Oil
I personally go with the MINERAL OIL for its safety; however, due to the users’ needs, manufacturers have also developed other types that can be great for your sewing machine.
- Tri-flow Oil.
- Synthetic Oil.
Now let’s discuss both in detail!
Tri-Flow Oil
It is high-grade mineral oil, great for sewing machines in areas with high humidity or extreme temperature changes.
More…
- Tri-flow oil is more expensive than natural mineral oil but worth it because of the added additives and premium petroleum oils that help keep your machine from rusting.
- Being a petroleum byproduct, Tri-flow oil results in a notably sleek feel that allows gears to move smoothly under intense conditions or high work pressure.
- Tri-flow is also a fantastic option if you’re searching for Oil to maintain your sewing machine running smoothly while working on multiple projects.
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Synthetic Oil
Synthetic oils are manufactured fluids that can be used instead of natural oils in industrial settings on painted surfaces, fiberglass, and rubber.
More…
- Clock oil is a type of synthetic Oil specifically made for sewing machines.
- Synthetic oils are very effective at lubricating machinery.
- Synthetic oils are significantly more expensive and dense than mineral oil, making them less effective.
Don’t apply these Oils
Following are the ways
Step 1: Preparation Stage
- Oiling is extremely important but more important is knowing about the consequences of it when not done appropriately.
- Whatever sewing machine you have, follow its user’s oil-process manual so you can do the process safely and soundly.
Step 2: Don’t forget these supplies
- Screwdrivers for opening sewing machine parts.
- Lint brush, soft fabrics, and dust cleaners for cleaning.
- Compressed air: to clean difficult-to-reach areas
- Mineral oil or tri-flow oil to lubricate your machine
After reading through the instruction booklet and getting all the necessary equipment, you’re ready to begin the actual part of oiling your machine.
Step 3: Disconnect Power Supply
- The first practical step is switching your sewing machine off, so you don’t damage it from any electrical shock.
- Unplug your sewing machine from the main power supply and detach the foot pedal from it for the safe side.
- However, the bobbin area and shutter clock with no proximity to power circuits might sound safe.
- So, in short, never forget to switch off the main power supply to your sewing machine.
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Step 4: Cleaning Process
- Start cleaning by removing thread, bobbin, needles, hooks, and other attached accessories.
- Grab a lint brush to clean easy-to-access machine parts and compressed air to clean debris from unreachable areas deeply.
- After blowing away the dirt, use a smooth and clean cloth to rub off any left mud on the machine.
Step 5: Remove Sewing Machine Parts
- In most cases, removing parts for oiling them is a little complex.
- But in most cases, only a few screws are holding onto the cover panels, making it easier for you to access the moving parts.
- Consequently, remove one machine panel at a time and keep track of the unassembling process to ensure quick and easy reassembling of panels and sewing machine parts.
Step 6: Finally, Oil Your Sewing Machine
- Sewing machines have plenty of metal parts, so to make them rotate smoothly, you need to oil them to save them from wear and tear.
- Consequently, find the machine’s moving parts and thoroughly drop a small amount of Oil on them so that each element is accurate.
- If you have difficulty identifying the moving parts, go through your sewing machine’s manual, indicating the parts you need to oil.
- There may be a few holes on some vintage sewing machines where you can apply Oil.
But I always recommend applying an adequate amount of Oil, neither too much nor too little.
Step 7: Give It A Final Touch
- During oiling, make sure you are using an appropriate ratio of Oil.
- If you spill Oil on your machine arm or table, clean it with an alcohol wipe or soap water.
- After that, run a machine to stitch a small rough fabric so that it can wipe off oil droplets, and you will get spotless fabric stitching for your next project.
Conclusion
Oiling your machine is no doubt the necessary process in maintaining your handy. Therefore, only use quality, less dense, and clear mineral oil.
You can also opt for artificial oils but make sure they are machine friendly. So you don’t have to experience any consequences later.
Lastly, follow the oiling process carefully to avoid any mishaps. Otherwise, you can also visit a repair shop for sewing machine services.