How to Clean an addiExpress Knitting Machine

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Remove the knitting and check the mode

Take your work and loose yarn off the machine before cleaning; secure unfinished stitches appropriately rather than pulling the project through the needle bed. Remove any aftermarket powered drive and work by hand. Note the operating-switch position. The addiExpress troubleshooting FAQ explains that straight-knitting mode, misthreaded yarn, or excessive tension can stop or stiffen the handle. Correct those conditions before deciding that a difficult crank needs disassembly or more lubricant.

Step 2: Lift out visible yarn fragments

Use the soft brush to collect loose fluff from the yarn guide, accessible needle spaces, and upper rim. Keep the crank stationary whenever fingers or a tool are beside the needles. A visible piece caught between a needle and its channel can be lifted gently with the supplied plastic needle or tweezers, as addi describes. Do not bend a latch to gain access or keep turning against a trapped strand; first free the obstruction or stop for a closer inspection.

Step 3: Clear loose internal lint without adding liquid

For skipped stitches associated with fluff, addi suggests removing the work, turning the machine upside down, and using an empty spray bottle to blow air into it. Use a bottle that is clean and fully dry, with no cleaner residue to spray into the mechanism. Support the machine by its body, not the crank or needle tips. Collect the released fibers on a clean surface. This is a gentle hand-pump method, not a compressed-air nozzle or an aerosol cleaner.

Step 4: Wipe accessible surfaces and let them dry

Use a well-wrung cloth to wipe ordinary marks from accessible surfaces after the dry lint is removed. Follow with a dry cloth and let moisture evaporate before running yarn through the machine again. Do not pour water into needle slots or immerse the assembly to reach hidden fibers. Keep the row counter and gear area free of drips. If a sticky spill extends inside, assess how far it traveled before treating a clean-looking exterior as a completed cleanup.

Step 5: Open only the parts needed for deeper cleaning

If debris remains inaccessible, use addi's illustrated maintenance and repair sequence. Photograph the assembled arrangement, sort fasteners by removal stage, and compare the rings and yarn-guide location with the diagrams. Brush and wipe the exposed area carefully. Stop disassembly once the required area is accessible; do not strip the crank and row counter merely because the guide also shows their replacement. If needles must come out, preserve their positions and orientation for reassembly rather than mixing them into one pile.

Step 6: Use the specified dry lubricant only where directed

For deeper maintenance, addi recommends a PTFE dry-lubricant spray suitable for metal and plastic, applied to the illustrated sliding rail of the needle feet. Follow the spray label's ventilation and application instructions. The manufacturer also describes optional application into needle slits after complete reassembly. Do not spray a moving, partly dismantled machine or substitute a wet sewing-machine oil simply because another craft tool uses it. After treatment, leave the machine to dry for at least 12 hours and until the product is fully dry.

Step 7: Reassemble, check by hand, and test with suitable yarn

Reverse the matching disassembly sequence and verify that rings, yarn guide, and needles sit correctly before turning the handle. Do not force a ring into place with its screws. Follow the setup instructions to secure the machine on the table, then test gently with suitable yarn and consistent tension. A small row-counter click as the black needles pass is expected. Cover the dry machine or return it to its box between projects so fresh lint and dust do not collect.