Raise the presser foot to release the tension discs. Remove the needle if the machine will sit for a long period, or at least note that it needs changing before the next use. Cover it. Store it somewhere with stable temperature — not a loft or an unheated garage, where condensation will find its way into the mechanism. If you are carrying it, a padded case protects the thread stand, which is the part that bends.
Questions people actually ask
Does a cover really matter?
Yes, and not cosmetically. Household dust settles into the bobbin race and the feed dogs where it mixes with lint and lubricant. A covered machine needs cleaning far less often, and cleaning is what most machines actually need when they misbehave.
Should I release the tension when storing?
Raising the presser foot releases the tension discs, which is worth doing if the machine will sit for months. It costs nothing and it stops the discs holding a compressed position.
Last reviewed 2026-08-11