🧵 How to Oil & Maintain Your Multi-Needle Embroidery Machine (NZ Guide)

If you own a multi-needle embroidery machine in New Zealand, regular maintenance is the secret to smooth stitching, fewer breakdowns, and a long-lasting investment. Whether you're running a home-based embroidery business or managing commercial orders, keeping your machine clean and well-oiled is non-negotiable.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to oil your embroidery machine correctly, and share a maintenance routine trusted by NZ’s top machine users.

✅ This applies to brands like Ricoma, Brother PR Series, Janome, SWF, Tajima, Melco, Barudan and other multi-needle machines sold in New Zealand.

🔧 Daily Maintenance: Keep Your Hook Oiled Every 4 Hours

The rotary hook is the engine room of your embroidery machine. Without regular oiling, it can wear out fast—leading to noisy stitching, thread breaks, and costly repairs.

How to oil the rotary hook:

• Turn off the machine

• Remove the needle plate and bobbin case

• Apply 1–2 drops of clear, high-quality machine oil into the hook race

• Turn the handwheel slowly to help distribute the oil

👉 Shop embroidery machine oil in NZ

💡 Tip: Set a timer or reminder to oil your hook every 4 hours during heavy use.

🛠 Weekly Maintenance for Multi-Needle Machines

Every week, give your embroidery machine a little extra attention:

• ✅ Oil the needle bar lubrication points
  (Check for red dots or your machine’s manual for locations)

• ✅ Re-oil the hook point

• ✅ Lubricate all red-indicated oiling points, including the embroidery arm

These steps reduce friction, quieten the motor, and improve stitch consistency—especially if you’re stitching on heavy fabrics or using metallic thread.

🧼 Fortnightly Maintenance Routine (NZ Conditions)

New Zealand’s air can be dusty, humid, or coastal depending where you are. Every two weeks, we recommend:

• ✅ Checking wax residue on the tension discs

• ✅ Removing the needle plate to clean out lint, fluff, and thread dust (use an air compressor or soft brush)

• ✅ Cleaning and checking the bobbin case tension

A clean machine = cleaner embroidery, better tension, and fewer hiccups during production.

🔁 Monthly: Replace Those Needles!

Even if your needles look sharp, they wear out over time. Dull needles can:

• Cause thread frays or skips

• Puncture fabric unevenly

• Ruin design alignment

Best practice: Replace all needles monthly—especially if you’re running a machine daily.

👉 Shop embroidery needles in NZ - Commercial Embroidery Machine DBxK5

👉 Shop Brother PR Embroidery Needles -  PR Brother Needles 

🧰 Yearly Maintenance: Book a Full Service

At least once a year, your machine deserves a professional touch. A full embroidery machine service typically includes:

• Hook and bobbin case inspection or replacement

• Timing check and reset

• Deep internal clean, greasing of moving parts

• Gear and belt inspection

📍 Based in NZ? We service multi-needle machines nationwide through Direct Sewing Machines & Supplies.

🔧 Bi-Annual Check-Up

Every six months, especially for commercial users:

• ✅ Replace the rotary hook

• ✅ Inspect the spiral bevel gear (this helps drive your machine and can wear over time)

If you're unsure, we’re happy to inspect and service this for you—just get in touch.

🧾 Summary: Embroidery Machine Maintenance Schedule

🧵 Need Embroidery Machine Oil, Needles or Servicing in NZ?

At Direct Sewing Machines & Supplies, we’re proud to support NZ’s growing embroidery community. Whether you're new to multi-needle embroidery or an industry pro, we’ve got everything you need:

• ✅ Embroidery machine oil & accessories

• ✅ Multi-needle compatible parts (Ricoma, Brother, Janome etc.)

• ✅ Nationwide servicing from trained NZ techs

• ✅ Friendly, expert advice you can actually trust

📦 Fast NZ shipping
🧵 Huge range of embroidery supplies
🔧 Real people, real help

Final Thoughts

Proper maintenance isn’t just about avoiding breakdowns—it’s about protecting your investment and delivering beautiful, professional embroidery every time. Whether you're stitching from your home studio or running machines all day, make oiling and cleaning part of your regular rhythm.

Your machine will thank you (and so will your customers!).