How to Use Mini Vacuum Attachments to Clean Your Sewing Machine or Serger
In this post, I'll show you how to get your sewing machine or serger cleaner than it has ever been by using mini vacuum attachments. My machines looked like they came right out of the factory after cleaning!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a percentage if you make a purchase using these links. I only link to things I like and use!
Materials used:
There are a few sets of mini attachments for vacuums, but after comparing several of them, I ended up getting the Shop Vac set because it had the best reviews and the best assortment of nozzles. This set will only work with a shop vac, though. It did not fit my regular vacuum. Alternatively, you can get an adaptor for the size of your vacuum's hose. I also have the wet/dry vac linked below. It's only $35 (as of the time of writing this post) and they're useful to have in addition to your regular vacuum.
Cleaning Your Sewing Machine or Serger:
I didn't realize this until I opened it up, but apparently I had not cleaned my sewing machine in awhile. I usually use the little brush that came with my sewing machine, but sometimes you end up pushing dust further into your machine where you can't get at it. I used the smallest brush and the narrow wedge attachments to clean this.
Looks like it's right out of the factory.
Because sergers cut fabric as they go, they create a lot of debris, and your serger can become overrun with fluff very quickly. A regular cleaning brush can help with this, but it won't get all of the dust in the nooks and crannies of your machine. You can't really see it here, but there's a lot of fluff behind the loopers and in the corners of the machine. I brush out my serger every time I use it, but a lot of fluff still accumulates. The brush attachment worked well for cleaning out the bottom and sides of the machine, as well as the feed dog/blade area.
This wedge worked well for getting in behind the loopers. The brush attachment was a little too big for this.
It's so clean now!
I store spools of thread on the wall, and I noticed that some of them were getting dusty, so I vacuumed those, too.
Then I dropped a cone on the floor, covering it in dog hair.
It cleaned up nicely with the vacuum. These mini attachments are now one of my favorite tools in the sewing room.
Bonus tip
Photocopy the cleaning/oiling pages of your manual to keep them handy. This will make maintenance easier. Since you've got the machines open to clean them, be sure to oil them as well.
