How to Clean Rusted Antique Sewing Machines

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.

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.

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.

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.