How to Clean Rusted Antique Sewing Machines
An antique sewing machine is a beautiful machine. Old sewing machines in near-perfect working condition are often easy to find, because of their quality craftsmanship and metal bodies have lasted the test of time. If you purchased or inherited an antique sewing machine that still works, clean it and make it functional once again. With some effort, you can clean rust from antique sewing machines and make them useful for sewing new outfits.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Clean 1-inch paintbrush
- Sewing machine oil
- Steel wool (fine grade)
- Clean rag
- Sewing machine needle
- Belt
- Furniture polish
Instructions
-
-
1
Clean the inside of the antique sewing machine. Carefully remove the outer plating with a screwdriver. Gently remove any dirt, lint or dust with a 1-inch paintbrush.
-
2
Scrub off the rust with sewing machine oil and a fine-grade steel wool. Put more oil on a paint brush or clean rag and oil the moving parts of the sewing machine. Manually turn the sewing wheel to check for rust. Replace the outer plating to the machine when you have finished.
-
-
3
Replace worn and rusted parts. Replace the needle on an antique machine even if it looks fine; it could be rusted. Look for rust on the rubber drive belt that goes around the sewing wheel. If it is rusted, loose or cracked, replace the part.
-
4
Use the oil and steel wool to gently remove any rust from the decorative metal body of the sewing machine. If the machine has a wooden top and/or cover like an old Singer sewing machine, polish it and wipe it dry with a clean cloth.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Contact a sewing machine retailer or an antiques dealer for information on where to purchase replacement parts for your machine.
Note where all the screws go in the machine for easy reassembly.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
