Director of technical education and support, Hans Herzog, answers frequently asked questions to machine cleaning and oiling.
How to clean and oil BERNINA sewing machines with the new BERNINA Hook System: BERNINA models of the current 4-, 5- and 7 Series line
Am I supposed to oil the red hole under the stitch/needle plate? I have been told not to do so anymore? Is this correct?
There was a change in the lubrication procedure.You will need to lubricate the hook race and the two oiling points inside the hook.Follow the appropriate new oiling procedures here.
Does my machine need to be oiled anywhere other than on the hook area?
No. To keep things service-friendly for our consumers, only the hook area needs to be cleaned and lubricated. However, we recommend to take your machine for annual service and checkup. Your BERNINA dealer will clean and lubricate the machine internally, provides preventative maintenance as well as making sure your machine performs at its peak. And remember, never use compressed air.
How To Clean and Oil the BERNINA 880
How to clean and oil BERNINA sewing machines with the BERNINA CB Hook System
I have a BERNINA Virtuosa 153, how often should I oil the bobbin case area? Are there any other areas that need to be oiled?
The rule of thumb is to lubricate the machine after every three to four bobbin changes. Or clean and lubricate the hook area after each day of sewing. Follow these steps to maintain your machine.
Oiling Frequency
How often will I need to lubricate/oil my machine?
The oiling frequency depends on the type of fabric, thread and machine speed you operate your machine at. The more linty the fabric or your thread is, the more oil will be absorbed by the lint. The faster and longer you sew, the more heat and friction will be generated.However, the rule of thumb is lubricating the machine after every three to four bobbin changes. Or clean and lubricate the hook area after each day of sewing.
Will the oiling frequency change in different climates and in higher altitudes?
Our machines are tested in various conditions created in climate rooms. For the most part, sewing takes place inside a dwelling which is most likely temperature controlled. We’d recommend to operate the machine at room temperature. Please proceed with the recommended machine maintenance as outlined in your user manual or visit these tutorials:
How to Clean and Oil your sewing machine
How to Clean and Oil your sewing machine with CB Hook
Sewing Machine Oil
What oil shall I use for my BERNINA sewing machine?
The BERNINA machines are designed with specific oils and greases in mind. Basic rule of thumb is to use the oil that is supplied with each machine. In addition, to the lubrication properties of the BERNINA oil we added a corrosion/rust inhibitor to protect the highly polished precision parts in the hook area.
If you need to order machine oil, call your BERNINA store.Tell them the model number of your machine. You can find the model number on the data plate at the back of the machine. It is best to take a picture of the data late and provide this to the dealer.
Is the correct oil for current machines clear or slightly yellow?
Some sewing machine oils can turn yellow after time. The discoloration is caused by the organic matter in the oil. There are no negative effects using this oil.
I have new BERNINA. Can I use my new sewing machine oil for my 40-year-old machine also?
Generally, we recommend to use the oil that comes with the sewing machine.
You can use the lighter weight oil from your new machine on your 40-year-old BERNINA. You may have to lubricate the machine more often as this oil is very light weight. However, we should never use the oils from the original 730/830 or 930 in the current machine. The oil is way too thick and can cause all kinds of tension issues.
We will continue with our Frequently Asked Questions Series. Please keep on checking in with us here on WeAllSew.
