How to clean your sewing Machine

Lots of people have no idea how to clean their sewing machine or why it matters if you don’t. Cleaning your machine is really important but easy to forget. If you machine isn’t cleaned regularly it will have a much shorter life as the dust builds up and causes all sorts of problems inside it.

The Outside

  • To clean the outside, take a dry cloth and wipe down the whole thing
    • Make sure to get into any nooks and crannies
  • If anywhere on the outside of your machine looks dirty or sticky, I would recommend using a damp cloth and some detergent (nothing strong) and wiping it down. Then dry it off with a dry cloth or kitchen roll
  • Do not let any water get into the machine!

The Inside

  • Each machine will have a slightly different way of accessing the inside so check your manual accordingly
  • For my PFAFF Hobby there is one screw that needs to be removed in order to take the metal plate off and see what’s inside
  • The mini screwdriver came with my machine, but you can purchase one here or alternatively the side of a machine foot (once removed from the machine) usually works just as well
  • Once you have removed the screw lift off the plate to see inside
  • Take your dust brush (if your machine didn’t come with one you can purchase one here) and lift out all the dust with the brush
  • The dust and lint should stick to the brush making it easy to lift out
  • Most of the dust build up should be easily accessible
  • You can also remove the bobbin holder and clean under it
internal sewing machine with dust and fabric fibres
dust brush for cleaning inside sewing machine
clean internal sewing machine

How often should I clean my machine?

  • Its good practice to clean it after every time you sew, this way you won’t forget, and it will never build up

What will happen if I don't?

  • If you never clean inside the dust will build until it blocks something important inside the machine and the machine will stop working
  • Sometimes it can be fixed with a big clean but other time the build-up will have caused permanent damage
  • Not only can it break your machine but it can ruin the project you’re working on! As the fabric may get tangled in the mess and end up having to be cut off!

I hope you found this post helpful and learnt how to take care of your machine to help it last longer! It is so easy to clean your machine but takes practice to remember to clean it regularly. I’d recommend sticking a post-it note on the machine that reminds you every time you use it!