Regular sewing machine maintenance will prolong the life of your machine and keep it running smoothly. It's always good to oil the moving parts, but make sure you check in your sewing machine manual to see where the recommended spots for oiling are. As well you should regularly collect the lint out of your machine by the bobbin. I use a paint brush to brush the lint out of my machine because it can get in to all the small spaces where the lint goes, the lint will stick to the bristles of the brush. I usually de-lint my machine every time I change the bobbin since I have it open anyways and then the lint doesn't travel deeper in to my machine.
Once in a while you will need to do a really good cleaning and oiling of your machine, that's what I did today. You know that it needs to be done when your machine feels stiff and sounds a bit different when running (louder or squeaker). I opened up my machine by taking a few screws out (if you do this make sure you don't drop any screws down in your machine, and make sure you remember where the screws go so you can put it back together). When you open up your machine you will find more moving parts that can be oiled. If you do not fell comfortable opening up your machine you can always take it to a sewing machine store to be cleaned and oiled.
Once in a while you will need to do a really good cleaning and oiling of your machine, that's what I did today. You know that it needs to be done when your machine feels stiff and sounds a bit different when running (louder or squeaker). I opened up my machine by taking a few screws out (if you do this make sure you don't drop any screws down in your machine, and make sure you remember where the screws go so you can put it back together). When you open up your machine you will find more moving parts that can be oiled. If you do not fell comfortable opening up your machine you can always take it to a sewing machine store to be cleaned and oiled.
After cleaning out my machine and putting it back together I could fell a big difference in the smoothness when it ran.