The durability and efficiency of any metal or mechanical machine are relied on how well it is maintained. The maintenance of machines is the most important part overall, the sewing machine you have bought, or plan on buying is no different. The metal needs lubrication so it will work properly and not get rusty and malfunction.
The oils that are designed for sewing machines are supposed to be odorless and colorless. It is a machine that comes into contact with different kinds of materials and fabrics, so you can’t use just any type of machine oil because you risk staining the fabric and ruining the projects.
A Quick Look at My Favorite Oils That I Use For Sewing Machines
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 9.7 | Check Price on Amazon | |
 | 9.5 | Check Price on Amazon | |
 | 9.1 | Check Price on Amazon | |
 | 8.8 | Check Price on Amazon | |
 | 8.6 | Check Price on Amazon |
Key Takeaways
- sewing machine oil is designed for sewing machines needs to be colorless and odorless.
- There are two types of sewing machine oils: mineral oils and synthetic oils.
- Be mindful of the viscosity of the oil when you are buying sewing machine oil, as to avoid oil buildup.
- Most sewing machines come with a manual that explains how often and how much you should lubricate your specific model of machine.
Top 5 best sewing machine oils
5. Zoom Spout – sewing machine oil (118 ml) – Best for narrow spots
The bottle of this product was the first thing that made me buy it. The spout was so practical honestly. Since it is so narrow it can be used to oil all the knucks and crannies of the sewing machine. With the other bottles, I used to buy I would get the oil all over the place while trying to lubricate the parts that were too tight to reach.
The Zoom spout lily white is made from a nontoxic mixture of petroleum, lubricating base oil, and additives. It is a mineral, highly refined oil. It will not create a gummy substance over time. No need for additional work of scraping away the gummy build-up from your sewing machine.
I recommend this oil for sewing machines because it is suitable for machines that come into direct contact with textiles. It does not stain or ruin the fabric since it is colorless and odorless.
The viscosity of the oil is perfect, it is not too low so that it leaks down, nor too high so that it creates jelly-like substance residue as a synthetic oil might do. Also, the spout is a perfect narrow applicator for hard-to-reach parts.
Why Should You Buy It?
A very practical bottle with a very easy application. Just a small amount of this oil will go a long way.
Also read a list of the finest Pfaff Sewing Machines.
4. 3-in-one 10038 – Multipurpose oil
A long-lasting, wonder-doing, multipurpose lubricating oil. I have used it all around the house, from squeaky doors to my working tools and equipment.
It keeps them clean from dust for a long time, which is wonderful because I didn’t have to rub them clean all the time.
It doesn’t add more work, it cuts down the work you used to do before using this oil. I use it for my car too, my sewing machine also loved it, everything is rust-free and working perfectly and smoothly for years now.
My sewing machine is dust free, has no friction damage, and is rust-free and spotless. It has a thin spout for easier application. Even my bike loves this brand of oil, it truly does wonders.
Why Should You Buy It?
Because it is an oil that you can use for many household items. It is worth buying because it will be used for many surfaces, if not, for one thing, then it is going to be used for another thing, like your utensils, your sewing machine, your bicycle, etc.
It protects the metallic moving parts from friction damage, cleans them from dust and other damaging particles, it keeps them rust-free.
3. Ultra-Pro Food grade mineral oil – Best Overall
As we all know already from this article, mineral oils are more suitable for sewing machines even though some machines do work better with synthetic oils. UltraPro food-grade oil is also one more mineral oil for lubricating mechanical metal parts of machines.
It is oil without any color or odor. It is a multipurpose oil that can be used for more purposes since it is not toxic or hazardous. The difference between mineral oil and food-grade oil is that food-grade oil is manufactured safely, it is processed many times in a way so that it can be used around kitchen utensils and kitchen countertops. That’s why it has to be non-toxic.
UltraPro contains minerals like vitamin E in it, which will protect the metal you used it upon from damage and oxidation. It is an oil used in restaurants, food factories, meat industries, clothes industries, etc. It prevents the process of drying out and cracking on wooden utensils, it gives a protective layer and shiny spotless finish on the metal parts/items.
Why Should You Buy It?
You will need this oil around your house for many items you own. It is a valuable, non-expensive, nontoxic food-grade oil that will keep your belongings spotless, protected, and functional for a long time. Your sewing machine will be grateful for your decision on using UltraPro oil since the minerals in the oil will help the machine remain like new for many years to come.
Also, read a list of the finest Brother Sewing Machines.
2. Singer all-purpose sewing machine oil – Best Value
When I bought my singer sewing machine, I bought singer sewing machine oil, all-purpose oil along with it as it was recommended in the manual and by the dealer.
I was not disappointed with the oil and its effectiveness whatsoever. It did its job perfectly. My machine didn’t sustain any damage, nor did it break down at any point, despite being used all day every day.
After a while I noticed my doors were a bit squeaky, so I tried the singer oil on them, it did fix everything immediately, the noise and the friction were gone. Now I use it all around the house, for my computers, typewriters, sewing machines, and tools. Each metal inside your house will appreciate this oil, even though it is formulated for lubricating sewing machines.
It eliminates friction damage, so your machine will run smoothly without interruption in the middle of your projects. You will have no rust forming on the metal parts of your sewing machine, the layer of oil will protect the metal from any humidity reaching the metal and rusting it.
Why Should You Buy It?
The singer is a very trusted and respected brand of sewing machines. The quality of products is the number one reason why they have remained one of the biggest sellers on the market whether it is a industrial sewing machines or lubricating singer oil. So, you will not be let down by the Singer brand if you choose to buy the machine or the oil.
1. Zipper sewing machine oil (lily white) – Most premium
The Zipper Sewing machine oil is a miner lubricating oil. It has a low viscosity, or in other words low resistance to flow, as many mineral oils do. So, it is an oil that will not be leaving sticky, gummy residue on your machines for you to scrape off. It is a non-detergent, hydrogenated paraffin oil.
The friction problems will be left in the past, the machine will run smoothly without any damage or getting stuck. Since it is a big container of oil, you will have a large supply of oil for a very reasonable price. It will last you a long time, and if you own a sewing business with more than one sewing machine, you will need the Zipper 1 gallon lily white oil.
You should consider this product if you are an owner of a sewing business with multiple sewing machines on hand. It comes in a 1-gallon container, which will last you a long time. It is an odorless and colorless mineral oil that will not damage or stain your fabrics and textiles because its viscosity is of a perfect rate for a sewing machine.
Why Should You Buy It?
It will not leak everywhere and mess everything up. It is non-toxic, so you can use it freely without worrying about your health or your family’s health.
Also, read a list of the finest Bernette Sewing Machines
Buying Guide
When choosing an oil for your sewing machine you should consider some things. First, you can’t just get any type of oil since not all sewing machines are built the same and require different maintenance procedures.
Each sewing machine manufacturer has its manual and recommendations on how to use, how to lubricate and maintain the sewing machine you are buying. You should follow those recommendations if you want your machine to last longer and work properly.
Viscosity
You should research the viscosity of each oil when you go looking for sewing machine oils. One of the most important pieces of information about the oil is its resistance to flow.
The viscosity of the oil refers to how fluent is the drip of the oil at a specific temperature. Thin oils tend to pour more easily and have a lower viscosity rate at lower temperatures.
Thick oils have higher viscosity rates; therefore, they have a higher resistance to flow.
Synthetic oils have a higher viscosity rate. They are thicker than mineral oils. Synthetic oils are manmade oils created in a lab for a specific purpose. The fact that they are thicker aids them to adhere better to the metal parts. Also, the viscosity of the synthetic oils helps the oil to stay in place and not leak out.
It is an oil that is more heat resistant, so it works great on sewing machines that emit more heat while sewing. Mineral oils are oils from a natural source, they are derived from crude oil. The oil cannot be reused or renewed. Mineral oils are thinner in consistency; therefore, they have a low resistance to flow.
They drip easily, so they might leak some when you lubricate your sewing machine. The positive side of this is it will not leave behind a jelly-like substance on your sewing machine since it has low viscosity, and it does not build up and harden.
Odor and color
Since the oils will be used for a sewing machine, which comes into immediate contact with all sorts of fabric and materials, you should also be mindful of the color and smell of the oil you choose. The materials and fabrics you use for your projects can be stained easily and ruined if the quality of the oil is not right.
If you notice that the oil has a specific odor or change in color you should not buy it, or if you bought it already you should throw it away. The presence of color or smell is an indication that either the oil is not meant for lubricating a sewing machine, or that it has started to go bad.
Toxicity
When choosing an oil to lubricate your machines you should also do your research on the toxicity of the oil. Especially if you have small children or pets in your house who might come into contact with the machine or the oil. Some oils can be a hazard at normal room temperatures, or slightly raised temperatures.
If they are toxic, the fumes that they will create during higher temperatures will irritate your skin, eyes, nose, and throat if you are exposed to them for long enough.
That’s why you should be vigilant upon picking the oil for your sewing machine since you will be in contact with your machine most of the time.
Most of the oils that are formulated especially for sewing machines are not dangerous and do not contain toxic components. That’s why never try to use oils meant for other purposes on your machine. Also, hide away the oil container if you have small children or pets running around to avoid the risk of them ingesting the oil on accident.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use WD-40 to oil my sewing machine?
Yes, you can. The product is a multipurpose oil, it helps lubricate and clean many different parts of the sewing machine, also on other objects around your house. But the best choice would still be to invest in a sewing machine oil.
How often should I oil my sewing machine?
It is considered a rule of thumb to lubricate your machine after every four to five bobbing changes. Or you can lubricate the hook every day after each sewing day.
Does sewing machine oil get old?
Yes, it does. On average they should last around five years that is if you store them properly under the required conditions. If you don’t store it properly it will shorten the lifespan of the oil.
What is a sewing machine substitute?
Clipper blade oil is a suitable substitute, even though it is a bit more runny and thinner. But since it can handle the friction of the hair clipper blades, which are way faster than a sewing machine, then they can handle the speed of the sewing machine as well.
Final words
It is up to you to choose the oil for lubricating your sewing machine, just a smart choice would be to stick to oils made specifically for lubricating sewing machines. Other oils might not match the viscosity that your machine needs, and also might be toxic and harmful to you and the people around you.
Be mindful of the color and odor of the oil because it might cost you the entire project you have been sewing. I tried my best to review the oils I have used during my sewing experience, and I can guarantee you will have success if you choose either one of the oils mentioned above.
In short words, there is no best sewing machine oil, they all serve their purpose.
I have been in the embroidery field for over 10 years. My career first started when I was an apprentice to a local seamstress where I started to learn the basics of garment construction and alterations. That’s where I started to love sewing and began to hone my skills even more.
