Appliance on the fritz?
How to find the file on that — and many more
Product manuals for appliances and other major household devices are a little bit like martini glasses. You never use them, but the minute you get rid of them, you realize you need them.
No matter which method you prefer, here are ideas for keeping the information organized:
WHAT TO KEEP, WHAT TO TOSS
Let’s be reasonable: It is not necessary to keep the paperwork that comes with a product such as a fan, hair dryer or coffee pot. If the item has an on/off switch and you know how it works, toss the paperwork.
Manuals and warranties for bigger (and more complex) appliances such as your dishwasher, dryer, air conditioner and hot-water heater can be stored in labelled files and organized by category. Categories might include “Technology,” “Kitchen,” “HVAC,” “Outdoor” and “Miscellaneous Small Appliances.” Use category names that make sense to you, and keep your files current by throwing away old documents when an appliance is replaced.
HARD COPIES
Before tossing a jumble of information into a file, sort through the paperwork that comes with your purchase. Keep the manual and warranty, and recycle all extraneous information. Also, write the purchase date and vendor on the front of the manual before filing it.
WAYS TO STORE ELECTRONICALLY
It is true that most of us will rarely, if ever, look at the manual for things such as our washer and dryer or water heater, which is why some people reason that keeping the bulky paperwork is unnecessary.
Instead, some people opt to record model numbers, serial numbers and dates of purchase electronically, and then use online product manuals to find the pertinent information when necessary.
The key to making this work is to accurately and consistently record the relevant information. Some people will create a simple document or spreadsheet, while others prefer using a digital tool such as Evernote, in which they can type the essential information or upload photos of box labels or the front of the product manual. As with any organizing task, pick one option and stick with it.
Once you’ve recorded this information, and before you recycle the hard copy of a manual, Paide recommends taking the time to do an online search for your specific model’s manual to make sure you’re actually able to locate it. And when you do, save it in a labelled electronic file.
Whether you decide to keep manuals as hard copies or electronic ones, having a system in place will prove invaluable next time a random battery needs changing or an appliance inexplicably starts beeping.