Care of Product Manuals

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

26 Jun 2008 11:32 AM

If the ice maker on your refrigerator suddenly starts making a weird noise because someone under three was pressing all of the door buttons would you know what to do? Or, more likely, would you know where your refrigerator manual is located so you can find out what to do?

If your home is anything like ours after our move last year, manuals are the least of your worries, until you actually need them. This week, I decided to get all of our product manuals organized and filed, so they would be on hand when needed. This was inspired by too many boxes in the basement and out own ice maker.

I'm happy to report that the task is completed. I learned two main things from this project: We have way too many things, judging by the volume of manual, and my husband never throws out any piece of paper that contains a model number, a mechanical drawing or receipt for anything he owned past the age of five.

I started by attacking all of the places where manuals were: in boxes, on shelves, etc. I first divided the manuals into three piles: things I knew we currently had, things we no longer had and things I just wasn't sure about.

I then made up a filing system of folders for the manuals, with a hanging folder and space in the filing cabinet. I divided the manuals as follows:

• Appliances (Major)
• Appliances (Small)
• Electronics
• Furniture
• Lawn and Garden
• Miscellaneous
• Personal Items
• Power Tools
• Toys

This division made sense for the manuals I had. All of the manuals for things we currently had went into the folder. Things we no longer had either went into recycling or were mailed or held for the people we had given those things to. The mystery pile went to my husband for sorting or discussing.

Of course, I still couldn't locate the refrigerator manual, but my hard work did pay off with that manual after all. I came downstairs this morning to find it sitting in the family room, and all I can conclude is that either my organizing inspired my husband to find it, or we have helpful house elves.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. Starting June 1st, don't miss her articles in the Baby Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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adam-finch (125) 26 Jun 2008 11:48 AM

Helpful House Elves, definitely elves....:)

I found my guitar the same way! http://adam-finch.eachday.com/entries/303320-two-of-my-closest-friends/items/303324-baby-love-and-byron-the-rockstars

Adam

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 26 Jun 2008 12:31 PM

Ah, I thought so! Thanks for reading.

george2 (35) 26 Jun 2008 07:32 PM

Mary, good tips on product manuals. We ran into the same problems a long time ago, so we've always dumped most our manuals (soon as you open the item!) generally into a single box, with a separate box for any/all manuals relating to equipment or toys for the kids. Not as organized as you describe, but we can usually always find a manual when needed.

The other thing to mention is that nowadays, with many products you can often find the product manuals online at the manufacturer's web site, so all is not lost if the manual is lost.

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 27 Jun 2008 04:21 AM

We have lost a manual for one small appliance, and unfortunately it isn't available online. However, contacting the manufacturer might work to get another copy.