Sew What's Up

My hoops are disgustingly dirty with spray and fabric dust. The main hoop that attaches to the machine is good, it's the insert pieces that hold the fabric down. How do you clean yours?

Yeah, mine too. I've tried GooGone, alcohol, and I don't remember what else. Helped a little but mine are still yucky.

I asked my dealer that exact question & he told me to take mineral oil & dampen a soft cloth & wipe down the hoops. It does take some elbow grease. He said that is what they use in their shop. Alcohol will dry them out & cause them to break according to him. Mine are in need of a cleaning now. Thanks for the reminder.
Marty

Do you think WD-40 may work, DH is pretty sure he doesn't have mineral oil.

WD-40 is an emollient & will gunk up your hoops when it dries. It is recommended never to use it on a sewing machine as it hardens like glue when it dries. I bought a bottle of mineral oil from Walgreens pharmacy. I think I paid $3 for it.
Marty

Real acetone (not nail polish remover which has some in it but not a lot) will do it I think. I'll try it tomorrow and let you know.

I tried nail polish remover on mine - with a lot of elbow grease it did ok - I later found my dh has acetone for removing glue on the tyres of his remote control cars and it's quite a bit stronger and you can get it at the hardware store. It's about time I clean it again.

I think acetone is very drying. If you do not have mineral oil. Use whatever vegetable oil you have or baby oil.

i have a weird question for you ladies, why are your hoops sticky to begin with? do you spray to the edges or with your hoops on? just curious as as my hoops are 7 years old now and not remotely sticky, i never spray with the hoop on, if i am doing an in the hoop project, the fabric gets sprayed first then put on the stabilizer.

carman

Mine are sticky because I tried the spray after you hoop a few times in the past never liking it. Haven't done it in ages but the spray lingers. I by far prefer peel off sticky stabilizer.

I hoop the stabilizer, use 505 spray, & then press the towel against the stabilizer. I only use spray when doing towels & I do a lot of them. The mineral oil works.
Marty