Why You Should Never Oil a Typewriter

Ask ten people how to maintain a manual typewriter, and chances are at least half of them will tell you the same thing:

"Just put a little oil on it."

Unfortunately, this is one of the biggest myths in typewriter care and maintenance.

At RR Typewriter Mart, we've serviced and restored countless manual typewriters, and we've seen more machines damaged by unnecessary oiling than by old age itself.

A manual typewriter is a precision mechanical instrument—not a bicycle chain, sewing machine, or door hinge. Adding oil without understanding the machine rarely improves performance. In most cases, it creates new problems that are far more difficult to solve.

If you remember only one thing from this guide, let it be this:

A typewriter does not need routine oiling.

Why Do People Think Typewriters Need Oil?

The assumption seems logical.

If something moves...

It must need oil.

That might be true for many mechanical devices, but a manual typewriter is different.

Most typing problems are not caused by a lack of lubrication.

They're caused by:

Dust
Dirt
Paper fibres
Old ribbon residue
Improper storage
Long periods of neglect

Adding oil doesn't remove any of these problems.

Instead, it simply mixes with them.

Oil and Dust Don't Mix

Here's what actually happens.

You notice a sticky key.

Instead of cleaning the machine, you add a few drops of oil.

For a short time, the key might feel slightly smoother.

Then dust begins sticking to the oil.

Paper fibres collect.

Tiny particles become trapped.

More dust arrives.

Eventually, you've created exactly what every manual typewriter hates.

A thick layer of oily dirt.

In our workshop, we jokingly call it:

"Dirt Soup."

And like any bad recipe, it only gets worse with time.

Oil Turns Your Typewriter Into a Dust Magnet

A clean manual typewriter naturally sheds most airborne dust.

An oily manual typewriter attracts it.

Every exposed drop of oil becomes a magnet for:

Dust
Hair
Lint
Paper fibres
Airborne particles

Over weeks and months, those particles accumulate around moving parts and increase friction instead of reducing it.

Ironically, the oil intended to make the machine smoother often becomes the very reason it starts feeling sluggish.

But Professional Restorers Use Chemicals...

Yes.

Professional typewriter technicians sometimes use:

Petrol
Diesel
Kerosene
Industrial cleaning solvents
Mild acids
Caustic solutions during electroplating

However, these procedures are performed under controlled workshop conditions.

Each chemical is selected for a specific purpose, applied correctly, and followed by additional processes to neutralise residues and protect the machine.

These are restoration techniques, not routine maintenance.

Watching a restoration video online doesn't mean those same methods are safe to perform at home.

Professional restoration and everyday ownership are two completely different things.

Your Typewriter Already Left the Workshop Properly Serviced

Every manual typewriter supplied by RR Typewriter Mart is thoroughly inspected, adjusted, serviced, tested, and prepared before it reaches its new owner.

It doesn't require you to continue adding oil as part of normal maintenance.

What it needs is far simpler:

Regular use.
Regular cleaning.
Proper storage.
Sensible handling.

These four habits do far more for your typewriter than a bottle of oil ever will.

What Should You Do If a Key Feels Sticky?

Don't assume the machine needs lubrication.

Ask yourself:

Has the typewriter been cleaned recently?
Is there visible dust around the typebars?
Has it been sitting unused for several months?
Is dried ribbon residue affecting the typefaces?

In most cases, a thorough cleaning solves the issue.

If the problem persists, the machine may require professional servicing rather than home remedies.

When Is Lubrication Appropriate?

Very rarely.

Lubrication, where required, is part of professional servicing after a machine has been completely dismantled, cleaned, adjusted, and inspected.

It's not something that should be added casually every few months.

Modern advice often treats oil as a universal solution.

Experienced typewriter technicians know that proper diagnosis comes first.

Products You Should Never Use

Never apply any of the following to your manual typewriter unless specifically instructed by a qualified typewriter technician:

WD-40
Multi-purpose lubricants
Silicone sprays
Engine oil
Machine oil
Cooking oil
Grease
Petrol
Diesel
Kerosene
Alcohol
Household cleaners
Random internet "miracle fixes"

If a product wasn't designed specifically for professional typewriter restoration, it has no place inside your machine.

The Better Alternative

Instead of reaching for oil, follow this simple routine:

Use your typewriter regularly.
Remove dust with a proper nylon brush.
Keep the machine covered when not in use.
Store it in a clean, dry environment.
Contact a professional if something doesn't feel right.

Simple habits consistently outperform unnecessary shortcuts.

Workshop Wisdom from RR Typewriter Mart

Oil belongs in our workshop—not in your weekend maintenance routine.

If your first solution is oil, you're probably solving the wrong problem.

A clean typewriter stays healthy. An oily typewriter collects dirt.

When in doubt, clean first. Diagnose second. Lubricate only when genuinely required—and preferably by a professional.

Continue Reading

Now that you know why routine oiling can do more harm than good, the next step is learning how to protect your machine when it's not in use.

Next Guide: Proper Typewriter Storage – How to Protect Your Typewriter from Dust, Moisture, and Damage.