GE’s support page offers articles on cooling and cooking appliances, washers and dryers, dishwashers, compactors, window A/Cs, dehumidifiers, water heaters and more. The next time you’re having a problem with an appliance, chances are you may be able to find the answer there.

Of course, if you ever needed to reach out to our own customer service with any appliance questions you may have, you can always contact us at 1-877-727-1909 and we will be more than happy to help! We’re standing by to make sure you get the most out of your appliances purchased at P.C. Richard & Son.

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Outside Your Home

• Clean, cover, and put away patio furniture, grills, outdoor toys, lawn equipment and (drained) garden hoses.
• Check caulk/weather stripping around windows, doors and the garage and make sure your air conditioner weather seal is correctly installed.
• Clear out gutters and downspouts.
• Touch up exterior paint.
• Have chimneys and flues inspected if needed.

Inside Your Home

• Wash and insulate windows and screens. The best way to clean screens is with the dusting brush attachment of your vacuum.
• Vacuum your refrigerator’s condenser coils. For full fridge cleaning, see our article on how to clean your refrigerator here.
• Clean or replace humidifier elements.
• Replace batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Flip your mattress over and turn it end-to-end to even out wear. Put on winter bedding.
• Clean out kitchen cabinets, cupboards and freezer of anything old or expired.
• Check the dryer exhaust tube and vent for lint build-up or other blockages. If you find that your dryer isn’t drying clothes as efficiently as it used to, check out our dryer maintenance article.

These are just a few of the many things you can do to prepare your home for the winter months. What do you do around your home to welcome winter? Let us know in the comments!

Photo courtesy of D. Sharon Pruitt on Flickr

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1. Japanese T-Shirt Folding

2. Fold Socks & Increase Drawer Space

3. Fold Your Towels Spa-Style

4. Fold Your Fitted Sheets Like a Pro

5. Fold Jeans & Identify Them

6. Pack a Shirt & Avoid Wrinkles

7. Fold a Dress Shirt

8. Fold Trousers

9. Fold a Flared Skirt

10. Whoa.

And there you have it!

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How To Pack & Move Your Mini Fridge: Keep It Upright!

Step one is getting your fridge into your dorm, right? The most important thing to keep in mind is to keep the fridge upright at all times. Laying your mini fridge horizontally could cause problems with the mechanics that keep your fridge cold when you plug it in. Should you really need to lay it down any other way, try to lay it flat on its back or tilted for as short a time as possible. When you are able to stand it upright, wait 24 hours before plugging it in to allow the system to re-correct itself should anything have shifted during transport.

How to Maintain Your Mini Fridge: Keep It Clean and Smelling Fresh

Once you have moved in and have placed food or drinks in your mini fridge, aim to clean it out once a week. Check for expired milk, meat, fruits/veggies or other perishable items and discard them as needed. Should you have a spill in your fridge, clean it out immediately to avoid bacteria, mold, mildew or food-borne illnesses. You may also want to place a small box of baking soda inside to absorb odors.

How to Defrost Your Mini Fridge: Defrost Every Break!

When your mini fridge will be left unattended for long periods of time like when moving out or on Thanksgiving, Winter or Spring breaks, your refrigerator will need to be defrosted. Plan on defrosting your fridge at least 24 hours before you leave. To defrost your mini fridge:

• Remove and discard any items inside.
• Unplug your fridge, prop open the door and place a towel or tray underneath it to absorb any water. You may also want to place a towel inside the fridge as moisture accumulates.
• Leave it overnight.
• The next morning, wipe down any excess moisture and dry the towels, trays or cloths you used in and around the fridge.

This is also a great time to clean the shelves, drawers or racks your mini fridge may have. Never use harsh or abrasive cleaners inside your fridge, but a hot water/baking soda mixture or warm soapy water will do the trick. Rinse it with a clean rag or sponge and dry.

An important note: ALWAYS make sure your fridge is dry before closing the door to avoid mold and bacteria! A moldy fridge is certainly nto something you want to come back from break to.

How to Use Your Mini Fridge After College

I donated my mini fridge to an upcoming college freshman after I graduated, but there are many things you can use it for should you wish to take it home with you. Here are just some ways to keep using your fridge:

• Man Cave or Home Theater: Store cold beverages in your man cave or home theater so you don’t have to make your way to the kitchen every time you or your friends need something to wet their whistle.
• Extra Food Storage: Keep your mini fridge in your utility room, basement or garage and use it as extra space to hold excess leftovers or groceries. This is especially convenient during the holidays or while throwing a party!
• Mini Fridge as a Wine Cooler: It may not be as great a solution as a proper wine cooler, but will suffice to make space in your actual refrigerator.

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Note: To minimize the possibility of electric shock, unplug the dryer from the power supply before attempting any maintenance or cleaning.

Clean the Lint Trap
As you probably already know, the lint trap at the front of your machine should be cleaned after each use. You should also wash the filter with warmy soapy water every once in a while.

Check the Vents
The condition and flow of your dryer’s venting hose is the most important factor of your machine’s efficiency. If the air flow is impeded or obstructed in any way it could significantly slow down drying time. The machine may have shifted over time due to use, so check to make sure that the dryer isn’t pushed too close to the wall so that it’s pinching the hose. Also check that the inside of the vent is free of lint buildup and that the opening from the outside wall damper is not obstructed by plants or other objects. It’s recommended that you clean the duct work at least once a year.

Did You Trip a Fuse?
Many household dryers use two fuses or circuit breakers, so check to see if one is tripped. One may be powering the dryer tumble, but the tripped circuit may not be supplying heat.

Check the Drum Belt
The drum belt is what makes the dryer drum rotate. Turn on your dryer and open the door to see if it’s revolving. If it isn’t, then the drum belt is slipping/broken or the idler pulley may be frozen.

Sort Your Clothing
The resolution to your dryer problem may be the amount and type of clothes you may be loading into the machine. Here are a few extra things to keep in mind:

• Make sure that you are using the correct washer settings and that the spin cycle is removing enough water before you place your laundry into the dryer.
• Don’t try to combine loads in the dryer and overload the machine.
• Don’t put too few items in, either, or the clothing may not tumble correctly and instead just shift to the back.
• Don’t put heavy items, like towels, in with lightweight items.
• To see how GE recommends you sort clothing on laundry say, see their article here.

If Those Don’t Work or You Need Repairs…
If the above methods don’t work to dry your clothes, the heating element or thermostat may be to blame. Call in a serviceman to take a look. If you purchased your dryer at P.C. Richard & Son, we can come and inspect the unit. For more about product service and repair, click here.

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• At night, open your windows and turn on any ceiling fans so that they are spinning counter-clockwise to circulate the air. In the morning, close the windows to trap the cooler air inside while it lasts (especially during peak heat times of 10am – 2pm). Closing your blinds and curtains will help the cooler air last longer, espeically on the south or west sides of your home where the sun beats most.
• Avoid caffeine close to bedtime, as it raises body temperature.
• Turn off the computer, stereo, TV, desk lamp or any electronic that generates heat when not in use.
• Wear loose, light-colored cotton or linen clothing to give your skin air to breathe.
• Placing a container of ice in front of a window or fan can act like a mini-A/C and offers surprisingly satisfying relief.
• Take on the town! Get out and peruse your town’s shops, restaurants, or libraries that have air conditioning. Hot afternoons are the perfect time to run errands and go to the supermarket.
• Put mint in a glass of water or use skin care products infused with it to refresh yourself with a nice cooling sensation.
• Eat fruits and vegetables with high water content, including leafy lettuces, corn on the cob, cucumbers, watermelon, and summer squash. You can also sweat out the heat with spicy foods like hot peppers, fresh ginger, horseradish, and black pepper.
• Alternatively and surprisingly enough, try to avoid ingesting foods that are lower than your actual body temperature. Ice cream will initially cool you off for 15 minutes or so, but your body will soon increase blood flow to warm you back up.

Here is a recipe that uses two of the cooling foods we’ve listed above that avoids heating up any appliances and will keep your family refreshed:

Recipe: Watermelon Salad with Mint Leaves

Prep time: 20 minutes; Yields: 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 (5-pound) watermelon
• 1 Vidalia or other sweet onion
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
• 6 whole mint sprigs

Directions:

Source: Paula Deen & Food Network

How do you keep cool in the summer? Let us know in the comments!

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Now is a great time to invest in some spring cleaning. Your refrigerator, with its expired condiments, corner grime and dusty condenser coils, should be one of your first candidates for cleaning. Here are some step-by-step instructions on making your fridge look and perform like new, and tips on how to keep it that way year round.

Preparation

You’ll need to block out anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half of your day in order to really clean out your appliance. Scrubbing down your fridge right before you go to the grocery store is the perfect time, as it will have the least amount of contents in it. Because your refrigerator will be open while you are cleaning, you’ll want to power it down and conserve energy. Loosen the bulb in your fridge until it goes out. Then, set the temperature dial to “off” and unplug it.

Take all of the food off the shelves, drawers and from the door and put it in a cooler. Check for any expired or unnecessary items that you can dispose of. If you can’t remember the last time you used an item or can’t read the date on it, throw it out!

Cleaning

Next, fill your sink with warm, soapy water and remove all of the shelves, drawers, and racks from your fridge. If you have any glass or ceramic, make sure it cools down to room temperature before you place it in the water or you will risk cracking it. Once you wash and rinse the shelves, set them aside and let them dry while you clean out the inside of the fridge.

Mix a half quart of hot water with 2 tablespoons of baking soda and wipe down the inside of your fridge with a wet rag or sponge. For tight corners or grime that just won’t come up, try scrubbing with a toothbrush. Don’t forget any of the compartments or the inside of the door! The baking soda mixture will neutralize any odors in the fridge, but if there isn’t any available then soap and water will do. Never use harsh or abrasive cleaners as they can damage the finish and compromise the lining, making it cost more to keep the fridge cool.

After you’ve wiped down the entire inside of your fridge, rinse it with a clean rag or sponge and dry. Place the shelves and drawers back if they are dry and wipe down the rubber molding with warm soapy water. This is a good time to inspect your molding and consider replacing it if necessary, as this will also keep the fridge cooling efficiently. Rubber molding in poor condition will result in temperature fluctuations and will increase energy costs.

Wash the outside of your refrigerator with antibacterial cleaner and remove the drip pan underneath if you have one. Wipe it with the same antibacterial cleaner, rinse and let it dry before placing it back.

You will also find a metal plate near the floor of your fridge, either in the front or the back. Remove it, wash it down, and vacuum the entire area. Use the vacuum hose to remove the dust from the condenser coil as well to optimize efficiency. Once the metal plate is dry, place it back.

That’s it on scrubbing and vacuuming! You can now plug the fridge back in, tighten the light bulb and set the temperature. Let your refrigerator become cool again before placing your food back. Check all of your items for any dirt on the bottom and wipe down any sticky jars or canisters; you wouldn’t want to undo all of the cleaning you just did! You may also want to consider placing an open box of baking soda in your fridge to keep it always smelling fresh.

Future Maintenance and Tips

In the future, check all of your groceries for any unclean items and wipe them down to minimize the frequency you’ll need to clean your entire fridge. Clean any messes that occur immediately to avoid bacteria, mold, mildew, odor, and even food-borne illnesses. On that same note, always store leftovers, open meats, cheeses, perishable items, and strong foods in separate airtight containers. Otherwise, they can absorb odors from and contaminate other foods, such as fruits and vegetables.

Try to clean off the condenser coil regularly to optimize the performance of your refrigerator. Whenever you clean it, try to also clean off at least one of your shelves or drawers inside so you don’t have to wash the whole thing down as frequently.

Do you have any other good tips for cleaning your fridge? Let us know in the comments.

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So, you have a point-and-shoot digital camera and like to take pictures while you’re out on the town, at family functions, and on vacation, right? I’m sure you’ve seen, either on your camera’s dial or in the menu system, a range of photo-taking modes. Do you know what each mode does? Do you use them? If not, you may want to explore these features to get the most out of your digital camera. Here are some automatic settings you’d usually find on your camera and how best to use them.

Automatic Mode
This should be the mode you’ve been using if you haven’t fully explored your other options yet. Automatic mode is just that—automatic. It determines the best focus, flash, white balance, etc. based on the environment lighting. This is generally acceptable in most situations, but your camera misses some key points of information in this mode. Are you taking pictures of a sporting event with fast movement? Are you taking pictures of fireworks? These specialized situations are when other modes come in handy the most.

Portrait Mode
Another rather self-explanatory mode, this setting is best for taking a photograph of a single subject, or portrait. It focuses on what’s in the foreground and keeps the background out of focus. This brings more attention to your subject and portrays them in a softer way.

Macro Mode

Macro mode is perfect for photographing small objects such as flowers, handmade jewelry/crafts, and insects, or close-ups on larger objects like the buttons of a flute. This setting has a very small margin where your object will be in focus, so hold your camera very close. I recommend turning your flash off while using this mode, or your photograph will be very washed out.

Landscape Mode
This is a perfect vacation mode to use for those beach, mountain or hotel view shots. This setting makes sure that it keeps as much in focus as possible, so make sure to hold your camera steady (using a tripod or holding your breath is best) as it may use a slower shutter speed and any movement of the camera may result in a blurry picture.

Action/Sports Mode
Action, or sports mode increases your camera’s shutter speed, which eliminates blur in action shots. This makes it perfect for games, pets, cars, boats, or anything that moves.

Night Mode
Use night mode for those night, dark restaurant or low-light party shots to brighten your picture as much as possible. This mode really brings out background lights in an environment and can make really beautiful shots. Because night mode needs a longer shutter speed to work, a tripod or steady surface is recommended.

Beach/Snow/Fireworks Modes
These are other self-explanatory modes that help boost the quality of shots in the aforementioned environments.

You can improve the overall quality of your pictures by experimenting with these modes that come with most digital cameras. What modes do you use on your camera most often?

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What is a computer processor?
A computer processor is a small microchip that fits into a socket in your motherboard. It analyzes and controls data flow in your computer. The speed at which it processes this data is measured in gigahertz, and common desktop computer processor speeds range from 2.6 to 3.66 GHz, and laptops/netbooks are usually less than that.

When choosing a computer processor
Consider what you will be using your new computer for in the next 3 years. How many windows do you keep open at once? Do you have multiple users logged into Windows at the same time? Do you regularly connect to your work computer from home, or vice versa? Do you or your kids play 3D games? All of these things take up processor speed, so the more you do on your computer, the faster the processor you’ll need.

You’ll usually find an Intel or AMD processor in laptop and desktop computers. They have various models that are appropriate for different uses:

For the casual computer user
If you play the occasional game of Solitaire, use Excel or Word or use e-mail almost exclusively, you won’t need a very fast processor. An Intel Pentium, Intel Celeron or AMD Sempron processors would be a good match for you.

For the multitasker & mainstream performance user
If you browse through your pictures, listen to music and watch movies on your computer while running other programs simultaneously, you should consider the Intel i3, AMD Athlon II or the AMD Turion II Dual Core processors.

For the power computer user
For a gaming machine, running 3D modeling software, editing long videos and other processor-taxing tasks, Intel i7, AMD Athlon II X4 or AMD Phenom Quad Core processors are best.

As technology advances, so will your need for a faster processor. Always consider the future of your computer use before you decide on a new model to purchase, and assess the processor that comes with the machine you’re looking to buy. Our sales associates or online live chat representatives are always there to help you determine the right processor for you, so let them know any questions you may have. Enjoy your new machine!

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