Best Sewing Machine Oil

When was the last time you were annoyed by a squeaky door or found rust in a machine? The solution to both these problems is oiling them regularly. Just like you drink water and eat food, sewing machines require regular oiling to ensure that all their moving parts are well lubricated and functional; not to mention the fact that they remain rust-free, thanks to the layer of oil on top.

Oiling sewing machines is very easy; you just have to know what to oil, when to oil and what oil to use. Even the best sewing machine oils out there won’t work their magic if not applied properly. At the same time, if you have the perfect oiling technique but the oil isn’t the right match, your efforts will go to waste.

To help you with that, we reviewed over 50 different products to find the best sewing machine oils for you. We’ve selected 7 products that we believe are a good match for you. Once you are done with the reviews, you’ll also find more information in our buying guide, which includes what sewing machine oil is and factors you need to consider when choosing the right one.

So, let’s dive in!

Our Best Pick: Lily White

Lily White is one of the most commonly used oils out there and for good reason. It has a good viscosity, a light fragrance, and most importantly, it is available in bulk as well. Almost everyone, new or professional, prefers this oil.

One of the prime reasons we love this sewing machine oil is because it doesn’t stain your clothes. In case you accidentally over oil or forget to clean the machine, the oil stains wash away very easily.

Best Sewing Machine Oils

1.      SINGER 2131E All Purpose Machine Oil (4.8)

Singer has always had your back if you’re looking for anything related to sewing; even sewing machines themselves. On the hunt for the best sewing machine oils, this is the first and last stop for man. This is an all-purpose sewing machine oil that ensures smooth operation and a long life for your machine.

The Singer 2131E is one of the best machine oils out there since this is made specifically for sewing machines. From the viscosity all the way to the price range and price point, everything about this oil is great. Plus, the bottle doesn’t really demand much effort from you.

This oil can be used for both, knitting as well as sewing machines, but that’s not the whole resume. If need be, you can use it for your computers, typewriters, bicycle, doors and more. The 4 oz. bottle can last you quite a while if you’re using it just for your sewing machine.

And therein lies the issue. This oil is an all-purpose oil, which means that there is a very good chance that you’ll use it for more than just your sewing machine.

Pros

• All-purpose
• Cost-effective
• Helps prolong life just as it helps smoothen the machine’s function
• Can be used for knitting and sewing machines

Cons

• The oil dispenses in drops, which may prove to be troublesome if you’re oiling things other than your sewing machine
• The cap can be slightly difficult to remove

2.      Zoom-Spout Sewing Machine Oiler (4.5)

In competition with Singer’s all-purpose oiler, Zoom released its own all-purpose sewing machine oil that deserves a position on our best sewing machine oils list as well. As you can imagine, since it’s an all-purpose oil, there isn’t much to complain about.

The oil is clear and is slightly better at fighting rust and oxidation than Singer’s. The long nozzle of the oiler can be extended further to help you oil those hard-to-reach places very easily, and is therefore used and recommended by many a professional.

Unfortunately, the best part about this oiler also turns out to be the worst in some cases. On rare occasions, the extension can spring a leak if not stored properly.

Pros

• All-purpose
• Clear
• Non-gumming
• Perfect for hard-to-reach spots

Cons

• The bottle can spring a leak from time to time

3.      Sewing Machine Oil ~ Lily White (4.8)

If you’re looking for a sewing machine oil used by the masses, Lily White is the one for you. This is one of the best sewing machine oils that you’ll find almost everywhere, be it a learner or a veteran tailor. This oil matches Singer’s viscosity, but the best bit is the water-white color.

The color doesn’t stain clothes if you mistakenly over-oil, but we still recommend that you clean the excess away.

For those of you just starting out with sewing or if you’re looking for the best sewing machine oil for your kids, you can’t go wrong with Lily White. It is available in gallon-bottles as well (the one we’re reviewing), and if you compare the costs of other oils and this gallon, you’ll find this is a very cost-effective solution.

We recommend that you handle the gallon with care since the bottle is a bit fragile.

Pros

• Low viscosity
• Doesn’t stain clothes
• Beginner and professional-friendly
• Cost-effective

Cons

• The gallon-jug can leak

4.      Dritz Sewing Machine Oil (4.6)

Another very suitable entry for our best sewing machine oils list is one by Dritz. Although the brand hasn’t really made a mark in the world of sewing, its oil is one with really high ambitions. The oil is a cleaning agent as much as it’s a lubricating and protecting agent, but don’t mistake it for an all-purpose oil.

A problem with this oil, apart from limited availability, is that the bottle has a very long nose. This would ordinarily be a good thing, but Dritz took it a bit too far, which in turn leads to poor accuracy and therefore, spillage. It is imported, so you can expect to pay a premium for it.

Pros

• Suitable for professionals and beginners
• Imported
• Long neck that can reach hard-to-reach spots
• Cleans and protects

Cons

• The bottle can be difficult to control
• Relatively costly

5.      Pure & Clean Sewing Machine & Serger Oil (4.6)

This colorless oil is a very cost-effective solution for you if you don’t have a problem with machine-oil smell. This oil doesn’t include many additives and therefore you can rest assured that it won’t harm your sewing machine in any way. This also enables it to stick to a surface for longer periods of time, effectively lasting much longer than other oils.

The increased protection also means better performance and, more importantly, prolonged life.

Although the neck can reach some hard-to-reach places, you will have to tilt your machine for some. This is because firstly, the nozzle isn’t that long and secondly, it’s broader than your average oiler. Having said that, the oil within is perhaps one of the best treats your machine will ever get.

This oil isn’t as suitable for beginners as it is for professionals since the oil is slightly hard to apply. Another problem that users have found (but we are yet to experience) is that if not stored properly, the neck can clog. You’ll have to fish out the dried up oil with a needle.

Pros

• Smooth application if stored properly
• Long-lasting protection
• Perfect for expert tailors
• Affordable

Cons

• The neck can be too wide for some applications
• Light odor

6.      Quart Lily White Industrial Sewing Machine Oil (4.7)

For the patriots among you who are on a budget but still want something made in America, Lily White sewing machine oil also comes in a quart. We’ve reviewed Lily White above, so we won’t take long here. The quart is ideal for people who are either on a budget or simply don’t need as much oil for their sewing machine.

Having said that, we recommend that you go for the gallon jug since that’s a more cost-effective option.

Pros

• Affordable
• Multifunctional
• Made in the US
• Designed for high-speed industrial machines and home sewing machines alike

Cons

• The bottle isn’t as strong, nor is it visually pleasing

7.      ZOOM-SPOUT Sewing Machine Oil Oiler ~ 4FL. OZ.(118ml) (4.7)

Yet another product from Zoom-Spout, this sewing machine makes it on our best sewing machine oils list mostly because of the different options available. There is the base version that is by far one of the most cost-effective oils on the list, and then there is the best-seller edition that is slightly expensive.

This is a great oil for regular maintenance of your sewing machine, for kids, your own or an industrial sewing machine. This product is safe to use and non-toxic if you’re keeping score, and long lasting if used under the right conditions. Unfortunately, those ‘right conditions’ also include temperature regulation, which might be an issue for many.

The nozzle is long and narrow enough to be suitable for oiling every nook and cranny of your machine, just make sure you don’t over oil. Although the oil is colorless and odorless, it will leave a stain if it comes in contact with fabric.

The bottle can leak sometimes though, so we recommend you keep it upright. Using it is as easy as dropping a drop or two and then moving the part back and forth a few times. Storage is easy (if upright) and you can rest assured that this oil won’t clog or go bad even if you put it somewhere and forget.

Pros 

• Made in the US
• Small and ergonomic container
• Cost-effective
• Non-toxic
• Easy to apply and clean

Cons

• It is not a synthetic product
• Light odor

Buying Guide – Best Sewing Machine Oils

People say oil is just oil – you can use any oil that suits your needs, but that isn’t the case. It’s an essential accessory for your sewing machine, which is why there are so many things to consider before making a purchase.

Here, we’ll discuss the essentials of choosing the best sewing machine oil so you can make an informed decision when the time comes.

What Is Sewing Machine Oil?

Sewing machine oil isn’t just like any other oil, but is one that is made specifically to lubricate sewing machine parts. After every application, the suggested usage time is 8-10 hours, but some (as listed above) last much longer than that.

The goal of sewing machine oil is to reduce the friction between parts, not just ensuring less power is used but also to ensure there is no grinding between parts, which in turn, ensures a longer life span of the machine.

Accuracy

The process of oiling your machine might seem hard, but it really isn’t. It isn’t a walk in the park, but it’s no walk through fire either. Oiling requires smooth motion, one that ensures enough oil is poured that it seeps into the nooks and crannies without forming a puddle underneath.

When buying any sewing machine oil, it is important to see whether the bottle is ergonomic or not, whether it can make its way into the machine, and most importantly, whether you can control how much oil you’re dropping. In short, the oiler needs to be accurate.

Properties

When it comes to a sewing machine, oil is the most important yet cheapest part out there. When looking for good oil, we recommend you look for a colorless, odorless oil or one that doesn’t leave stains.

The best sewing machine oils have the same density as water (won’t be viscous).

Viscosity

Speaking of thickness of the oil, the more water-like (lower viscosity) it is, the easier it is to use, spread and clean. Oil by nature, is more viscous than water, but sewing machine oils have lower density. This lets them seep into tight cracks and reduce friction.

The recommended viscosity of oil can vary from sewing machine to sewing machine, so it’s best you refer to the instruction manual for more information. For Singer sewing machines, you can buy the first product we reviewed without worrying about going through the manual.

Stainless, Colorless and Odorless

You are going to most likely be using your sewing machine to fix clothing for yourself or others, and using a cheap oil that smells or leaves behind stains will do you no favor, especially if you accidentally over oil your machine.

Instead of risking it, it’s usually a good idea to spend a few cents or dollars more and look for an oil that is stainless, colorless and odorless. After every application, we recommend you clean your sewing machine and then use it.

Some oils, such as the Lily White, are easy to wash off.

Final Words

We hope our detailed review of the best sewing machine oils and the buying guide that followed was helpful in one way or another. If you believe we missed out on something or would simply like to get in touch with us, let us know down in the comments!