On average, the typical U.S. household has more than twenty major and minor appliances. These items include your: refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, stove, coffee maker, standard kitchen counter appliances, television, computer, deep freezer, fans, entertainment system, blender, router, washer, and dryer. That number does not factor in other items like your phone, vacuum, gaming system, hair dryer, and the other gadgets that make your life easier. And when an appliance needs to be serviced or replaced, having the warranty information and manual can be a game changer that quickly reduces your stress level.
Do you have a central location for your important household paperwork? And by central location, we also mean an organized safe spot—a stack of paperwork in a closet doesn’t. If your answer is no, then you will want to create an organized place to properly store everything.
Ask yourself, will it be easier for you to maintain a binder organization system or a file box system? Once you figure it out, here’s what you will need:
Binder System:
- A 3-ring binder that’s 3-inch or larger
- Plastic sheet protectors
- Dividers
File Box or Accordion File System:
- A portable file box or an accordion file
- If your file box doesn’t have built-in tabs, you will also need divider tabs
Now that you have an organization method, you need to collect all your manuals, receipts/proof of purchase for appliances, and warranty paperwork.
- Staple or paperclip the purchase receipt and warranty paperwork to the corresponding manual. If you purchased items online and the proof of purchase and warranty details are online, consider printing them for your files. However, regardless if you print them or not, create a folder in your email archives for receipts and warranty paperwork. As you make future purchases, file these items in the digital folder.
- Scan or take a photo of the receipt and warranty paperwork, and upload it to a digital drive. You may have already done this if you have registered the item during the time of purchase. If that is the case, file the digital proof into the email archive.
- Once all manuals have a corresponding receipt and warranty details attached, group/organize the manuals by places in your home. For example, all kitchen appliances should be filed together and all garage tools should be filed together. So, you’ll label a divider (tab) for KITCHEN and another for GARAGE. You’ll do this for every grouping.
- Create a section for service receipts and contracts. Repeat the digital filing steps we mentioned earlier if some of your documentation is already digital.
Now that you have a system, stick to it and make it a habit. If a household item breaks or needs a repair, you can easily reference the warranty to see if you qualify for a free (or reduced) replacement. Most manuals also give instructions on how to properly dispose of the item at a recycling center or store location.
Whenever you purchase a new appliance or gadget, immediately file the manual, warranty, and receipt. If you are replacing an item, when you file the new documentation toss out the old appliance’s information. And as you organize for the upcoming year, it is a great idea to purge old paperwork to eliminate accumulating unnecessary paperwork.
And, finally, for ultimate security, keep these critical items in a fire and water proof box.