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serger cleaning and maintenance canned air, yes or no
Juanita47   Advanced Beginner WV USA Member since 9/18/06 Posts: 33	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/3/12 9:10 PM Some people, even Nancy Zieman, say it is ok to use canned air to clean sergers. Others say absolutely not - I just signed up for a craftsy class and the part on cleaning the serger said "never use canned air". I have a Babylock evolution which I love and hope to have for a very long time. I want to keep it clean and well maintained but am in a quandry as to exactly how. What are your thoughts and how do you keep your sergers clean? thanks so much for sharing - I learn so much here.
Changma   Advanced Beginner NY USA Member since 2/20/12 Posts: 430	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 10/3/12 9:18 PM Posted this in another thread, too...those tiny vacuum attachments (Clotilde's or Nancy's Notions or some such place sells them) work wonders...you aren't pushing debris back into the machine.
hazelnut   Beginner USA Member since 1/7/09 Posts: 2286	Login to reply to this post In reply to Juanita47 << Like this post Date: 10/3/12 10:21 PM Juanita47, I've been using a vacuum and the little attachments that Chagma mentioned above. Yesterday I visited a Babylock dealer and asked the same question of him that you're asking here. Regarding canned air, he basically said that it depends on whether or not your serger has a side door "in addition to the front door", so that you can blow the debris *through and out* the other end and not have it pack inside. Vacuuming is the better option for my Brother 1034D, which only has a front door opening for cleaning, so I'm glad I've been cleaning it this way (and thank you Mufffet, for that cleaning tip).
heathergwo Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 11/14/11 Posts: 766	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 10/3/12 10:26 PM I use a small paintbrush (cheap) to clean out a lot of the dust & debris and then vacuum it up with one of those small vacuums. I find it hard to get even those small attachments INTO the machine, so the painbrush works really well. AFTER I've cleaned the majority of the debris out, I will use a little canned air to get any pieces I might have missed, but I use it sparingly and aim it more toward the side rather than straight in. HTH! ------ Brother Innovis 1250D Singer Curvy 8763 Brother 1034D Janome 385.19606 Brother 2340CV
Warbler   Advanced VT USA Member since 4/15/07 Posts: 2612	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 10/3/12 10:33 PM I heard the problem with canned air is sometimes there is moisture in it because of the propellents which is not so good for the inner working of a sewing machine. I use the vacuum and Microbrush tips seen here. ------ Janome MC6600 Bernina 240 Juki MO735 Singer 201-2 Singer 221-1 Singer 15-91
TamNearPDX Beginner WA Member since 1/16/08 Posts: 203	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/3/12 11:52 PM They use these mini compressors to clean computers... I assume they get a thumbs up for sergers and sewing machines -- Edited on 10/3/12 11:52 PM --
PattyGee   Intermediate MN USA Member since 11/12/03 Posts: 503	Login to reply to this post In reply to Juanita47 << 1 member likes this. Date: 10/4/12 0:10 AM Juanita47 - I was at a class given by the Bobbin Doctor (he maintains and repairs sewing machines and sergers). He said never use compressed air on sergers or sewing machines, his example: a customer brought a serger in it was perfectly clean in the looper area, but it wouldn't work, wouldn't auto thread. The compressed air that the customer used to clean her BL evolution was packed with lint into the tubes for (auto threading). ------ Patty Bernina 530, Bernina 200e with upgrade 730, Elna Quilter's Dream, Elna 434 Coverstitch, BL Enlighten Serger and Juki TL-2010Q.
Sharon48   Intermediate Member since 5/17/12 Posts: 117	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/4/12 1:06 AM Great information - I also have a BL Evolution and did buy canned air. The Evolution does have a side door, but I will be more wary now. When I bought it, I asked how best to clean it and was told about the canned air..............will question them more next time I'm in the shop.
mastdenman   Intermediate CA USA Member since 1/12/04 Posts: 5853	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/4/12 1:16 AM I use canned air but do hold the nozzle a ways from the interior of the machine. But my serger is a mechanical only. So there really isn't any damage done. ------ Marilyn January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
sewpelican   Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 8/18/11 Posts: 159	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/4/12 1:19 AM Thanks for all this information, really helpful. I have used a slightly stubby paint brush, make sure it's not a cheap one to avoid loose hairs will that may get caught and remain in side BL serger or any sm. I also use the tiny vacuum , it works well. Good for computer keyboards too. ------ Joan Sunshine Coast QLD

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