Sewing Machine Oil & Cleaning Tools

Why You Need to Oil Your Sewing Machine

Your sewing machine has multiple moving parts that rub up against each other, generating heat and friction on each surface. Without regular oiling, these parts start scraping, and then they could start rusting, affecting the machine’s performance. Eventually, the motor seizes up and stops working, leading to expensive repairs.

Regularly adding sewing machine oil cuts down on friction, allowing parts to move smoothly and quietly, preventing rust. A little oil goes a long way in keeping your machine running smoothly and stitching as it’s designed.

How Often Should You Oil Your Sewing Machine?

A general rule is to oil your machine after 8 hours of use.

If you’re sewing daily, you may need to oil once a week or more. If you only sew once a week, monthly may suffice. If you’re only sewing once a month or so, a quarterly oiling may be all you need.

Your owner’s manual will have a guideline on oiling your machine and indicate whether it’s already been pre-lubricated and whether or not it should be oiled except at a repair shop.

How to Oil Your Machine

Start with your owner’s manual, which will describe the procedure for oiling the machine. You may need to remove the machine’s cover, throat plate, bobbin assembly, or other parts. Many machines have “oiling points,” small holes where you’ll add just a drop of oil in each space. Both industrial and domestic machines may have these oiling points.

Make sure to remove any dust, stray threads, and lint buildup before you start. 

Moving parts benefit from a touch of sewing machine oil—but not too much. Adding machine oil a drop in each place is ideal, to avoid an overload that will drip down onto your projects. Just add a bit of oil here and there to provide a protective shield in between moving metal parts.

If you have an industrial sewing machine with an oil pan, such as a Juki 8700, the oil’s delivery system is a cotton wick underneath that absorbs the oil in the pan and transfers it into the machine. For a machine that’s used for many hours on a daily basis, it’s vital to check this oil daily to both refill it and to check the consistency. Clear oil is fresh; any oil with any kind of color will need to be changed. 

What Kind of Sewing Machine Oil Should I Use?

Always use a sewing machine oil suitable for your machine. Your owner’s manual will tell you if you need a specific type.

GoldStar Tool offers:

WARNING: always use a product intended for sewing machines. Kitchen oils, WD40, and other lubricants will not work. These oils will gum up your machine’s insides and eventually ruin the machine entirely. Use oil that is made specifically for sewing machines.

If you’re not sure, contact your machine’s manufacturer, dealer, or contact us.

Cleaning Your Sewing Machine

Are you having trouble removing dust, lint, and stuck threads in your sewing machine? In addition to oils, we also carry sewing machine cleaning tools to help you clear out debris:

Along with proper oiling, these tools will help you keep your machines in great working condition for many years.

Why a Portable Electric Air Blower Makes Cleaning Your Sewing Machine Easy

A brush can remove lint and dust in the bobbin area and throughout the threading area. Unfortunately, lint and dust also travel throughout your machine and stick to places that are more difficult to access.

Wouldn’t it be great to blow everything out of your machine at once? Now you can.

Our Portable Electric Air Blower has a powerful fan that takes care of all the lint, dust, and loose thread pieces that may be stuck inside your machine or bobbin area quickly and efficiently.

To prevent particles from going further into your machine, angle the blower so that everything blows out and away from the machine, not into it.

You can also use this handy blower to clear off computer keyboards and other small surfaces where dust collects.

Handy Sewing Solutions Sold by GoldStar Tool

In addition to oils and tools to keep your machine running in optimal condition, we also carry other helpful products for your home or shop:

  • Glass Cleaner: For a quick, completely clean window, Sprayaway’s Glass Cleaner has a light, fresh scent that doesn’t leave a strong smell. It leaves behind clean, streak-free glass without leaving any blue coloring behind. There’s no ammonia, and it doesn’t run.
  • No-Fray Spray: Reduce your fabric waste by preventing unraveling, seam over-stitching, and seam failures. From heavy burlap and upholstery fabric to fine silk, Sprayaway’s No-Fray Spray keeps your fabric intact when it’s cut. Use wherever you need to keep fabric from falling apart.
  • Fusing Machine Cleaner: This special formula cleans your Teflon-coated iron soles and fusing belts. It effectively removes all contaminants and leftover adhesive residue. No need to stop working — you can clean the fusing belts without stopping the fusing operation, because it’s non-flammable.
  • Silicone Spray: We offer two types of this spray, one suitable for food processing factories and kitchens. Both types make fabrics and other items flow smoothly, stops sticking and squealing, and protects your equipment.
  • Anti-Static Spray: Prevent your workers from getting shocked and protect your delicate electronic equipment from static shocks with Sprayaway’s Anti-Static Spray. This professional-strength product is also great for removing static from fabrics and on surfaces that attract dust.
  • Boiler Aid: Our non-chromate treatment keeps your boiler in optimal condition. Using Boiler Aid regularly can help:
    • Remove sludge and scale, improving efficiency
    • Prevent surface pitting corrosion and corrosion damage on all metal surfaces inside
    • Eliminate surging and foaming
    • Control pH of boiler water
    • Promote even steaming
    • Decrease fuel consumption
    • Reduce boiler maintenance
    • Prolong boiler life

We also carry a wide variety of sewing machine essentials and retail supplies for both home and industrial machines, as well as other shop needs.

Let GoldStar Tool Help Keep Your Machines Clean and Oiled

Fabric and other stores may carry a few supplies, but we have the sewing machine oil you need, including synthetic. We also offer cleaning tools and supplies to make sure your machines run well, and your business is always clean and tidy.

Need help with a product we carry? Give us a call at 1-800-868-4419, email us at sales@goldstartool.com, or contact us online. We can answer all your questions and make sure you have the right oil, tools, and supplies for your machines.

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What Are Sewing Scissors Used For?

Fabric-specific scissors and shears are used for one thing: cutting fabric.

They should cut smoothly and cleanly and feel comfortable when you use them. You should always use the appropriate type of scissors and shears for your fabric if you want them to last and you want your fabric to cut cleanly.

Using your sewing scissors to cut anything but fabric is a quick way to ruin a good, and possibly expensive, pair of scissors. Keep them sheathed or otherwise properly stored when not in use and always use a different pair of scissors for paper and other non-fabric cutting applications.

Choosing the Right Scissors for Your Fabric

Different types of scissors have specific functions, such as spring-mounted thread clippers, which are perfect for opening buttonholes and snipping off thread ends in everyday sewing. Dressmaker shears are designed to cut just about any type of fabric, from fine silks and cotton to the heaviest denim and leather.  Synthetics tend to shred a little with dressmaker shears and standard fabric scissors, so serrated-edged scissors are a much better choice. These Mundial shears have cushioned handles and micro-serrated stainless steel edges that ensure clean cuts without slipping.

What to Look for In A Pair of Scissors or Shears + -

Of course, you want to look for a good quality brand. At Goldstar Tool, we carry brands like Mundial, Wescott, Wiss, and our own Goldstar brand of scissors. Scissors can be expensive, but price isn’t always a good indicator of how good they are. Just because they are pricey does not automatically make them good. Stainless steel forged blades are strong, sharp, and will last a long time. When choosing a good pair of blades, you should ask yourself… Are they comfortable? If they don’t feel right when you’re cutting, they’re not right for you. A good pair of shears should be sharp and cut cleanly through your fabric from the start to the end. Of course, with use, they may need sharpening, which should restore them to a like-new condition. However, if they don’t cut well when they’re new, sharpening really won’t help, and it may be time to invest in a better pair. When you buy new shears or scissors, ask yourself… Is it the right type for your needs? Do you need a longer set of dressmaker shears, or would a pair of offset scissors work better? Will they cut thin fabrics as well as thicker fabrics, or do you need a separate pair for heavier materials? Remember that a good pair of scissors is an investment, so put some thought into your choice and be sure to take care of them. Repeatedly buying inexpensive scissors that you throw away can add up to a costly expense. 

Types of Shears + -

Dressmaker shears are the most important scissors to have. Heavier than traditional scissors, they’re designed to cut fabrics of all types and typically do so very well. These Mundial shears are engineered for right-handed or left-handed users, and come in 6”, 7” and 8” models (including left-handed 8”.) Our Goldstar brand 8-inch forged stainless steel shears cut the entire length of the blade, all the way to the tip. If you prefer pinking shears, we have two types from the GoldStar line. Our heavy-duty shears have classic metal handles, and the other has cushioned plastic handles. For the quilter, Mundial professional quilting scissors in either 5 ½,” 8 ½, or 9 ½” offer soft grip cushioned insert handles for comfort and extended use.  Do you enjoy applique work? Our Mundial applique scissors help you make quick work of trimming around appliques, as well as evenly trimming Are buttonholes your nemesis? Our exclusive buttonhole scissors have a screw that stops you from cutting through your carefully made buttonholes. Safer than regular scissors or a scalpel, the screw limits your cutting length, so you cut exactly the length you need.

Other Cutting Products + -

Keep your scissors handy with a leather belt/hip holster, animal print belt holster or a lanyard that hangs around your neck. These will keep your shears handy and always available. Rotary cutters are a great way to do precise, fast cuts with ease. Goldstar Tool’s rotary cutters make fast work of whatever you need to cut. We also carry the replacement blades for all of our rotary cutting tools. Straight paper cutting is fast and easy with Westcott Titanium Bonded Paper Trimmer. It trims up to ten sheets of paper quickly with a completely safe, no-touch covered blade assembly.

Caring for Your Shears and Scissors

Caring for Your Shears and Scissors

Keeping Your Shears and Scissors in Tip Top Shape + -

The first thing you should NEVER do is cut anything but fabric with your scissors and shears intended for fabrics. The second is to never cut into a pin or needle since it will damage them permanently. When you’re finished using your shears, the best thing you can do is wipe the blades with a dry cloth to remove lint, threads, dust, and other small particles that can make them harder to use. Synthetic fibers can also dull the blades. Clean away the dry particles after every use. Keep your shears and scissors working smoothly with a small drop of quality sewing machine oil in the fulcrum or the pivot screw. Carefully open and close them a few times (point down) to distribute the oil, and wipe them, spreading some of the remnant oil over the blades. You want to oil your scissors and shears about once a month, more if you use them daily.  Of course, be careful not to drop them, or they could be damaged to the point of being unworkable.

Sharpening Your Shears and Scissors + -

When they just don’t cut like they used to, sharpening is a must to prevent damage to your fabrics. You may have heard that cutting through aluminum foil steel wool and/or sandpaper as a way to quickly sharpen your dulled scissors. Despite their popularity, we don’t recommend these methods. Think about it—if you shouldn’t use your sewing shears and scissors for paper and other things, or attempt to cut through a pin or needle, why would you use either of these to sharpen a blade? There are better ways to sharpen your shears at home or in your commercial shop. Need something small and efficient to keep around? These handy Scissors And Blade Sharpeners are economical, convenient, and sharpen on the fly. Our ExtremEdge V2 Knife and Shear Sharpener is a fast, easy way to sharpen non-serrated scissors and knives safely. The bottom section holds it in place for simple one-handed operation, and it’s sold for a reasonable price. If you have more than a few pairs of scissors, sending them out for sharpening can shut down operations. Our Wolff Industrial Twice as Sharp Scissor Sharpening System is an investment that will save you and your workers time and money, and keep your scissor arsenal sharp and cutting perfectly every time. Priced at under $500, you can sharpen your tools in-house whenever you need to. Plus, it comes with instructions so that anyone can learn to use it for fast on-demand sharpening.  Pinking shears, like our own soft-handled or heavy-duty shears, are best sharpened by a professional. There’s no reason to keep working with dull scissors and shears. Get one of our exclusive sharpening tools today.