CLEANING SERIES #13: "Cleanliness is Next to...." A Clean & Lubricated Machine is a Happy Machine!!

[@loriannpayne4483]

I have a 403 and a 503 (and a 201, 15-91, 66(3,including a treadle), 12 (1886 treadle), 221). My favorite is the 503 as it seems less noisy? My ultimate favorite go-to machine is the 201 for quiet and powerful performance. I set up my 15-91 as a buttonholer machine. My other fancy modern machines, even my Janome 15000 doesn’t do buttonholes like my old Singers do! My husband and I have cleaned and semi-restored several machines. Love seeing your tips and tricks! Thank you for taking the time to show us all how to do that.

[@ronalddevine9587]

I have two 500a's, a 503a, and a 401a. They are probably the strongest machines in my arsenal. I have noticed that thick materials don't seem to shorten stitch length, whereas it is noticeable on others. They do tend to growl a bit, and aren't the greatest for super slow sewing. What you have said about using them FREQUENTLY is very true.

[@famasmaster2000]

I have this exact same machine in my possession and I love it. Does everything I need and more. This was a wonderful video. Thanks!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@louiseheerschap4580]

I have the 401A. I left a comment that is a little more detailed on one of your other videos this morning. I have sewn everything from wedding gowns to repairing a camping tent. Talk about asking a machine to do hard work! It is a workhorse! I have newer computerized machines but they are not tech supported very long - good luck when something goes wrong.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thanks for sharing!

[@yvejo7938]

How do you remove the grease and discoloration from the beige color body?

[@CpeopleCU]

Thank you for your videos, I have 3 “new to me” vintage machines and cleaned up gunk, downloaded manuals, and am hand cranking them until my sewing machine oil is delivered (been waiting about a month no delivery here) is there anything at home or alternative lubricant that I can use until my delivery does finally arrive. I cleaned with alcohol, with petroleum jelly, would diesel also work? I have a Necchi BU, Necchi Mira, and White 465 Twin Needle similar to a Kenmore SR361 and Remington 150. I plan on keeping all and using all

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hi Carmen. No, your best bet is to wait on the sewing machine oil or borrow some from a local friend/neighbor while you wait on yours to be delivered. Sewing machine oil is the ONLY lubricant you should use for your machine. Not only would Diesel damage your machine, it has a VERY FOUL odor which is very hard to get rid of. I'm sure you are excited to get started, but it will be worth the wait.

[@CpeopleCU]

Thank you for the advice - these days it is hard to find much in stores I will exercise patience and keep the machines moving by hand. At least they all appear to be clean and all parts are now moving ❤️

[@kathleenmehrer3520]

How often do I oil my 1957 Singer?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Ah, oiling frequency. Well, it really 'depends' Since domestic machines do not have oil reservoirs, they don't actually store oil, but the drop or two that you add when oiling simply remains between the moving parts until it has dwindled. HOW LONG THIS TAKES depends on how much sewing you do and/or how long the machine sits. So, if you were to sew 3 projects which only involved hemming for example; then you might not need to oil your machine until project #4. On the other hand, if you were to sew a large project such as window draperies, you might have to oil it before completing the project or certainly before the next one. Bottom line here is that it varies and your machine will have a certain speed that you know right after oiling and it will perform at that speed for some time, but gradually, its speed will start to slow and this is an 'approximate' indicator for when to oil. If you want to put less thought into it, you can simple add just ONE DROP of oil per oiling point before each project. Just be careful not to overoil or you will be cleaning up drip puddles!!