How to Oil a Serger

A serger provides finished seams that last.

A serger is a special type of sewing machine that enables you to finish hems and seams in a way that lasts for years. It is important to keep your machine well maintained in order to keep it running properly. You should take your serger to a professional once a year to have it cleaned, serviced and oiled, but it is possible to add oil at home between visits. Every serger is a bit different, so make sure to consult with your owner's manual before adding any oil to the machine.

Things You'll Need

• Small screwdriver
• Sewing machine oil
• Rag

Instructions

1. Read the manual of your serger to ensure that you should add oil to the machine yourself, and to find out which parts need to be oiled. Your manual will have diagrams of the areas that need oil.

2. Remove parts of the serger that you need to access with a small screwdriver.

3. Place one drop of sewing machine oil between metal parts. You only want to oil areas of the machine that are metal on metal.

4. Wipe the area gently with a rag to distribute the oil in the machine.

5. Repeat two to three times per year depending on how often you use your machine.

References

• The Sewing Partner: Serger Care and Maintenance -- Prevent Problems Before They Happen
• New Mexico State University: Sewing Machine Maintenance