How to Properly Clean and Maintain Internal Sewing Machine Parts

Much like other appliances in your home, your sewing machine needs some TLC every once in a while. What better time to tackle your sewing machine maintenance than now? After all, it is spring cleaning season!

A good cleaning and maintenance routine enhances the machine’s performance — if you’ve been having issues, your sewing machine might just be due for a deep clean. Regular cleaning can also prevent problems with the machine's internal mechanics.

Not sure where to start? Use this in-depth guide to safely clean your sewing machine parts at home.

Why You Need to Clean Your Sewing Machine Parts Regularly

Sewing machines can build up dust and lint on the inside. This makes sense: As you feed fabrics through, the machine picks up small particles of lint.

Internal sewing machine parts work together in complex ways and require smooth functioning. Trapped lint and dust will eventually take a toll on your machine’s insides. If you don’t take the time to clean your machine regularly, you might end up spending more on new parts or even a new unit.

Signs That You Need a Sewing Machine Deep Cleaning

Instead of spending lots of time and money getting new needles and other sewing machine parts, your machine may just need a deep clean. Look for the following signs.

Slow Machine

Like any machine, when the parts can’t work together smoothly, the machine’s output slows down. If your sewing machine is suddenly working much slower than usual, that could be a sign of lint buildup.

Jamming and Thread Tangling

A buildup of dust and lint can also jam and break needles. It can even cause skipped stitches and bird nesting — those tangled globs of thread that interrupt your sewing session.

Broken and tangled threads are sometimes the result of machine tension or bobbin issues. However, it’s wise to clean your sewing machine parts before trying anything else. This could resolve the problem immediately — and it’s free!

Tools and Tips for Cleaning Sewing Machine Parts

Most sewing machines come with small cleaning brushes. Even if yours doesn’t, you don’t have to spend a lot on high-end tools to get the job done.

Some must-have cleaning tools include:

• Small handheld brushes
• A small flathead screwdriver
• Micro-tip cleaning brushes (or pipe cleaners, for a budget option)

That’s it! A magnetic screwdriver is optional, but it will help you open the machine and work with smaller parts more easily.

Follow these steps to clean your sewing machine:

1. Take out the needle, needle plate, bobbin, and presser foot — you’ll need a screwdriver to remove the needle plate
2. Put the small screws in a safe place so you don’t lose them (or attach them to your magnetic screwdriver)
3. Remove the piece that the bobbin rests inside (the shuttle hook)
4. Using your small handheld brush, dust away any lint pieces and debris from each part
5. Use micro-tip cleaning brushes for any extra-small parts or nooks and crannies in the machine
6. Inspect each part for wear and tear (a bobbin with rough edges is a bad sign; if you notice this, replace your bobbin with one that has smooth edges)
7. Optional: Carefully use a can of compressed air to blow dust out of the machine
8. Put the pieces back together, reinserting screws where necessary

If you have a newer machine, you may need to get it professionally cleaned and serviced every year. This doesn’t mean you should skip at-home cleaning. Check your manufacturer’s manual for more information.

Maintaining Your Sewing Machine

When you aren’t using it, you should make sure your sewing machine is unplugged and covered up. Most machines come with plastic covers that keep dust and debris out. Store spools of thread in covered containers to prevent them from collecting dust.

When changing the thread in the machine, cut it as close to the spool as possible and then pull the thread out through the machine. It should come out in the same direction as stitches do. This will protect the tension disks inside the machine. Finally, replace sewing needles often to avoid jams and other problems.

Oiling Your Machine

Frequent oiling keeps older sewing machines functioning smoothly and quietly. Oil your machine about as often as you clean it (after every two to three bobbins).

Some older machines might need to be oiled after every project to prevent unnecessary wear and tear. Friction between sewing machine parts can wear them out faster and reduce your machine’s lifespan. Oiling your machine may also prevent rust and metal corrosion.

Check your owner’s manual for your machine’s oiling guidelines. Many new models don’t require any oiling at all.

Cleaning Frequency: How Often to Clean Out and Replace Sewing Machine Parts

A good rule of thumb is to perform an internal cleaning on your sewing machine parts after every two to three bobbins. If you’re working with a lint-heavy fabric like fleece or flannel, you might need to clean the machine immediately after you finish the project.

How Often Should I Replace Sewing Machine Needles?

Needles wear out around the same time — between every two to three bobbins. Skipped stitches and broken threads are often signs that you need a new needle. To avoid spending too much money, try buying inexpensive needles in bulk online.

How Long Do Bobbins Last?

Bobbins typically hold enough thread to last for around 30,000 to 90,000 stitches. Larger bobbins that hold more thread can be used on several different projects before needing to be replaced.

Should I Replace My Sewing Machine?

Don’t jump to machine replacement just yet! A high-quality sewing machine can last for 20 years or even longer if you take care of it properly.

If you’ve tried all of these cleaning and troubleshooting tips and your machine is still very noisy or is causing stitching problems, it might be time for a new one. Replace your sewing machine with a high-quality unit from GoldStar Tool that will last for years to come!

Browse Quality Sewing Machines and Parts From GoldStar Tool

Do you have parts (or even a whole machine) that need to be replaced? GoldStar Tool is your ticket to high-quality, long-lasting sewing machine parts and accessories. We serve a range of budgets and project scopes, helping you create professional-looking pieces with ease.

Find the sewing machine parts you need. Browse our catalog today!